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WILKES-BARRE — Dozens of people loudly voiced their support for Planned Parenthood and the work it does during a Saturday rally on Public Square organized in the wake of the agency losing the lease at its longtime home.

The rally also attracted pro-life advocates, who showed up to protest.

The local branch of Planned Parenthood recently had its longtime lease revoked by the Angeline Kirby Memorial Health Center. The lease was revoked shortly after the organization went to the center’s board with a proposal to start providing abortion services.

Kara Dooner, 20, of West Pittston, was one of the main organizers of the rally that highlighted the importance of what Planned Parenthood offers and the women’s right to choose.

“It’s great to see some really passionate women as well as men come out to show their support,” Dooner said. “I think it’s wrong what Angeline Kirby Memorial Health Center did by revoking the lease.”

Alexandra Sareabugh, 19, of Wilkes-Barre, shares the same sentiment.

“I saw the links shared on Facebook and I knew I had to be a part of this,” Sareabugh said. “I can’t even think of the next generation of women not having Planned Parenthood at their disposal.”

Sareabugh shared her experiences with the organization.

“In high school, I went to Planned Parenthood because I didn’t get much sexual education,” she said. “Everyone was always so welcoming and helpful. They’ve had an impact on everyone’s life even if you didn’t know it.”

“Planned Parenthood isn’t just for women, it’s for everybody,” said Adam Gabriel, 33, of Laurel Run. “The issues with Planned Parenthood get painted around abortion when it’s actually a very small fraction. It’s a shame that it gets politicized that way.”

He continued: “The abortion service Planned Parenthood in Wilkes-Barre provided were not medical abortions. They only provided a pill.”

Dooner tabbed Rose Yanko, a nurse and self-proclaimed activist with SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, to offer remarks about the current issue.

“When I was a teenager, Planned Parenthood was recommended to me when I came of age,” said Yanko, 51, of Nanticoke. “Everyone went to Planned Parenthood when I was in high school. They had lunch time appointments even.”

Yanko advocated for the other services Planned Parenthood offers despite people’s hangups on the clinic’s abortion aspect.

“Let’s not trade in STD and cancer screenings, family planning, LGBTQ counseling and more for the opinion and belief of a small-minded group,” she said using a megaphone. “The majority in Luzerne County supports Planned Parenthood. Keep Planned Parenthood.”

Dooner noted that the pro-life opposition was peaceful.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” she said.

‘Killing of children’

The pro-life protesters faced traffic heading around Public Square and South Main Street holding signs while praying the rosary.

“We have been praying peacefully for the closure of Planned Parenthood in Wilkes-Barre for the past nine years,” said Ada Magni, 45, a member of the Pro Life Alliance. “It’s a godsend that the Kirby Health Center revoked their lease and we thank them for that. We are grateful that they don’t want abortions either.

“We are all very adamant on ending abortion, but we don’t want abortions in Wilkes-Barre,” the West Wyoming resident added. “We pray to God that they will not find any landlord that will take them in to do such killing of children. It cannot happen in Wilkes-Barre.”

Despite the other services Planned Parenthood offers, Magni believes there are community health centers that could do the same exact thing without the killing of the unborn and the referring of abortions.

With the closure of Planned Parenthood on North Franklin Street, the next closest one is in Allentown.

“We pray as group every second Saturday of the month at the Allentown Women’s Center in Bethlehem,” noted Magni. “That’s an abortion clinic. That’s why we don’t want one here.”

Planned Parenthood rally organizer Kara Dooner, of West Pittston, center right, speaks to the crowd on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_TTL112518PlannedParenthoodRally_2-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgPlanned Parenthood rally organizer Kara Dooner, of West Pittston, center right, speaks to the crowd on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Audrey Serniak, of Plains Township, stands with Planned Parenthood advocates during their support rally on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Saturday afternoon. The Planned Parenthood location in Wilkes-Barre recently had its lease revoked.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_TTL112518PlannedParenthoodRally_1-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgAudrey Serniak, of Plains Township, stands with Planned Parenthood advocates during their support rally on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Saturday afternoon. The Planned Parenthood location in Wilkes-Barre recently had its lease revoked. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Founder of the NEPA Chapter of the National Organization for Women Sabrina Hannon speaks during a rally for Planned Parenthood at Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_TTL112518PlannedParenthoodRally_4-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgFounder of the NEPA Chapter of the National Organization for Women Sabrina Hannon speaks during a rally for Planned Parenthood at Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Ada Magni, of West Wyoming, left, and Patrick Umbra, of Wilkes-Barre, pray the rosary during a pro-life rally against Planned Parenthood on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_TTL112518PlannedParenthoodRally_5-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgAda Magni, of West Wyoming, left, and Patrick Umbra, of Wilkes-Barre, pray the rosary during a pro-life rally against Planned Parenthood on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Nurse and self-proclaimed activist Rose Yanko, of Nanticoke, right, speaks in support of Planned Parenthood during a rally on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_TTL112518PlannedParenthoodRally_3-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgNurse and self-proclaimed activist Rose Yanko, of Nanticoke, right, speaks in support of Planned Parenthood during a rally on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Saturday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Dan Stokes

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Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes