Protesters Angry Over Abortion Provider's New Location; Demand Landlord Break Lease
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Protests have erupted over the new location of an abortion clinic, and opponents are pressuring the landlord to break the lease.
Though it's common to see protests outside of abortion clinics, the controversy at the Ethan Expo center is about the non-profit organization that's already in this building.
"We're going to be moving at the end of the month. So we're excited about that," said Eileen Schnitger, Women's Health Specialists.
Excitement or outrage -- in this case it's all a matter of perspective. And protesters aren't exactly laying out the welcome mat.
"It's an incredible shame and outrage to put this at this location," said protester Al Rhomberg.
The issue for protesters is that Women's Health Specialists is moving into the same building as where a WIC center is, a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants and children.
"It seems incredibly inappropriate, whatever you think about abortion," said Rhomberg. "There'll be many children here, infants, pregnant women."
As you might imagine, Women's Health Specialists doesn't see it that way. They say abortions are a small part of the services they offer and point out both they and WIC are federally-funded programs helping women.
"We think it's a great compliment and we're really looking forward to our new neighbors," said Schnitger.
But if protesters have their way, the two won't be neighbors at all. They're demanding the landlord break his lease to prevent the clinic from moving in.
"We're gonna support every single woman and no one's going to intimidate us from doing so," said Schnitger.
Currently there are no indications the owner has plans to prevent Women's Health Specialists from moving in -- news that is sure not to sit well with protesters.
Women's Health Specialists plans to move in by the end of the month. They've been in the Sacramento area for about 40 years.
