Washington, DC – A flier posted on the door of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Washington, D.C. has announced its closure as of June 26, 2015.

Planned Parenthood has indicated that it plans to open a new facility in the Washington, D.C. area sometime in the future to replace the old 16th Street clinic, which has been the site of intensive pro-life activity over the years.

“It may be many months before a new facility is ready, if ever. In the meantime, Planned Parenthood will not be killing babies in the nation’s capital, and that is great news,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “This closure is a huge victory for pro-life activists who have worked to save babies from abortion and even suffered wrongful arrests there.”

In 2010, Planned Parenthood erected a fence around property near their building entrance and put up “no trespassing” signs even though fenced property and sidewalk were officially public property. Rev. Patrick Mahoney was falsely arrested for trespassing while praying on the public sidewalk. Later, city officials admitted Planned Parenthood lied about owning the property and that the sidewalk was indeed public. Afterwards, police stopped threatening pro-life supporters with arrest. Recently, some threats of arrest of peaceful pro-life activists had resumed, but no arrests were actually made.

Shoddy patient care standards were also an issue there. In 2009, Planned Parenthood paid out $1.5 million in damages to the family of 14-year-old Shanteese Butler, after she sustained permanent injuries from an abortion procedure performed by Colin Walters.

“We rejoice in the closing of the Planned Parenthood abortion mill in Washington D.C. because we know this will mean more lives will be spared,” said Newman. “We will continue to work to block any attempted relocation. While Planned Parenthood is closed, we know it will be losing money. The longer it is closed, the harder it will be to reopen.”

Source

*Article by Cheryl Sullenger, co-author of Abortion Free with Troy Newman