More details on upcoming Karen Hughes protests

Planned Parenthood | News Release
For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 29, 2004
Contact: Joel Lawson (202) 973-4880 or Erin Libit (202) 973-4883

Actions at Karen Hughes Book Signings
Planned Parenthood Supporters to Ask in Person: "Karen Hughes, Will You Apologize?"

Hughes Invokes 9/11 to Defend Bush Anti-Choice Policies

Washington, DC - Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) President Gloria Feldt announced today that local Planned Parenthood supporters will appear at upcoming Karen Hughes appearances, seeking an apology from Hughes for invoking 9/11 in her attempt to defend President George W. Bush's anti-choice policies.

"Karen Hughes, apologize," said Feldt today in announcing the actions. "9/11 has no place in this discussion, and Planned Parenthood supporters will ask for an apology in person."

Hughes is currently on tour promoting her book Ten Minutes From Normal. Planned Parenthood supporters will appear at Hughes' upcoming book promotions in Tampa, FL on May 3rd, and in Atlanta, GA on May 4th.

"[This] was an insensitive and divisive overreach," Feldt wrote in a letter to Hughes early Tuesday. "It is outrageous to suggest that those of us who challenge this administration's attacks on reproductive rights and access do not value life and human dignity. Indeed, it is because we value life and human dignity that we support a woman's right to choice," Feldt wrote to Hughes.

Hughes made her comments on Sunday, April 25, on CNN. Speaking in reaction to the more than one million women and men gathered in Washington, DC, for the March for Women's Lives, Hughes said:

"I think after September 11, the American people are valuing life more...and I think those are the kind of policies the American people can support, particularly at a time when we're facing an enemy, and really, the fundamental difference between us and the terror network we fight is that we value every life."

Hughes addressed the growing outrage over her comments with an e-mail statement published in the Washington Post on Wednesday. "That is a gross distortion and I would never make such a comparison," Hughes said. "Surely even the most strident of partisans, and reasonable people on both sides of the abortion issue, can agree that we have been reminded of the precious nature of human life and that we ought to work to reduce the number of abortions in America."

Feldt said Hughes' reaction was unacceptable. "She failed to address the real issue: invoking 9/11 in a debate over reproductive choice, which is outrageous, insensitive and divisive."

"The horror of 9/11 has been used inappropriately too many times, and this is clearly such an incident," Feldt said. "Karen Hughes should demonstrate individual responsibility and apologize."

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Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's largest and most trusted voluntary family planning organization. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 850 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year.