COLUMBUS, OHIO – In response to the recent vandalism at Planned Parenthood’s East Columbus Surgical Center spokesperson, Nicole Evans, Marketing and Communications Director of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio issued the following statement:

“Today, like every day, our unwavering commitment is to the health and safety of our patients and staff. We have strong security measures in place to ensure that our health centers are safe, supportive, welcoming environments for all people to get the high-quality health care they need.

“As we’ve seen today, the increase in vitriolic, hateful rhetoric is alarming. These attacks are perpetuated by extreme individuals who continue to invoke lies and smear videos to demonize Planned Parenthood and the 80,000 Ohioans who come to us for basic health care.

“The individuals responsible for this act hope to send a signal that using acts of violence will intimidate health care professionals and the women we serve.  They are wrong. At Planned Parenthood, our doors will stay open — no matter what. We remain steadfast in our commitment to provide Ohioans with the reproductive health care they need and deserve.”