Pro-life radio spots expose 'silence' in abortion ads

By now, you’ve no doubt heard the ubiquitous radio spots.

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, which is building a massive, regional abortion facility on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, recently has flooded the local airwaves with an expensive local radio buy promoting the message that the organization is all about nurturing women’s health.

On a recent radio ad, a cheery, young woman says: “When I needed an appointment fast, Planned Parenthood was there for me. I got the birth control and help I needed, and I didn’t have to wait a week to get help … HIV screenings and prevention, STD testing, helping people who would otherwise have gone without care. … Making a difference in our community. That’s what I call a good neighbor.

“I’m happy to hear Planned Parenthood is expanding. … With a new health center, they will take care of even more people. … We’re there to provide high-quality, affordable care.”

The Archdiocese of New Orleans and nonprofit Louisiana Right to Life are trying to counter Planned Parenthood’s message – which conspicuously avoids any mention of abortion as its cash cow – with media buys of their own. However, the differential in money spent for air time by the nation’s largest abortion provider and pro-life advocates is staggering.

“We’ve been outspent at least 4 to 1 in radio ads, and that doesn’t include digital advertising (on websites),” said Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, which will launch new radio ads soon featuring former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-lifer Abby Johnson. “We’ve been running on many of the same stations since May, but, of course, we don’t have the same coverage that Planned Parenthood does.”

Archdiocese buys radio ads
The Archdiocese of New Orleans also is launching a modest radio campaign of its own, said associate communications director Anna Toujas. The thrust of the campaign will be to make it clear that affordable and even free health services for women already are offered by archdiocesan entities such as the Daughters of Charity Health Centers, the Woman’s New Life Center and the ACCESS mobile health unit.

“The main purpose is to let women know that the archdiocese and Catholic Charities are here to help women, and that the Planned Parenthood voice is not the only voice out there offering support,” Toujas said. “We will be running our ads on Magic 101.9 (WLMG) and B97 (WEZB) specifically because our target age range is young women, 18 to 34, who need this information.”

Peg Kenny, director of the Louisiana Pro-Life Council, which serves as the archdiocesan Respect Life Office, said Archbishop Gregory Aymond wants “to let people in the city know that many of these services are being provided either free or low-cost” by Catholic-affiliated agencies.

“There are a lot of places that are offering the same services that Planned Parenthood is offering – except abortion,” Kenny said. “But their radio ads say they are a trusted, health-care provider.”

Clapper of Louisiana Right to Life said the overarching purpose of Planned Parenthood’s new clinic is to exponentially increase the number of abortions in Louisiana – the ability to perform an estimated 30 abortions per day at about $450 per procedure.

“Don’t let Planned Parenthood fool you,” Johnson says in the Louisiana Right to Life ad. “They are the nation’s largest abortion business, and they want to sell more abortions in New Orleans. … Thirteen thousand dollars every day selling abortions. … Let’s stand for peace, not more abortions.”

Clapper said Louisiana Right to Life will partner with Crossroads, a national organization that conducts pro-life walks across the U.S., by holding a prayer service and informational rally July 12 at 10 a.m. at 4636 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans, adjacent to the Planned Parenthood facility now under construction.

“With Crossroads being in town, it’s another opportunity to raise awareness about what is happening on Claiborne Avenue,” Clapper said. “It’s an opportunity to join in prayer and ask God for his direction and his hand in the process.”

For more information, go to nolaneedspeace.com. Peter Finney Jr. can be reached at [email protected]. Donations to help get out the pro-life message may be made to Archdiocese of New Orleans, 7887 Walmsley Ave., New Orleans LA 70125; or Louisiana Right to Life Federation, P.O. Box 24106, New Orleans, LA 70184. Please put a note in the envelope to indicate what your donation is for.