Tuesday, August 25, Salt Lake City Utah- In the least likely of places for views that align with Atheists, Mormons, Agnostics, Protestants, Catholics and Jews (to name a few), Preacher Topher Mehlhoff spoke to a pink clad, pro-choice crowd in front of the Salt Lake City Capitol. The rally of over 1,000 people convened because of the latest war on women from their conservative Governor.
The Republican Governor of Utah, like the rest of his party, has essentially declared war on women's healthcare and sex-education. The Salt Lake City Feminist Reports:
Planned Parenthood supporters flooded the Utah State Capitol last night, many wearing pink, some holding signs, and all of them pissed off about Governor Gary R. Herbert’s decision to put politics over good policy by cutting funding for abstinence education, STI screenings, and reparations for victims of sexual assault. Over a thousand people (or more by my estimate) showed up to #StandWithPP at Tuesday’s press conference where Planned Parenthood CEO, Karrie Galloway kicked the night off with a stern reminder that “The governor has chosen politics over health care.”
Everyone present did a great job, but the speaker who stole the show was the passionate and irreverent, Reverend Topher Mehlhoff. Mehlhoff, is a Christian Minister in Salt Lake City who is a vocal supporter of a woman’s right to choose. He came to remind the throngs of people that:
Opponents of PP do not have a monopoly on the God who cares for everyone. So next time you hear someone shooting their mouth off about what God hates, please, tell them from me: Do NOT use my Lord’s name is vain.
Topher explained to everyone, including the handful of anti-choice protestors in the crowd, that the God he believes in supports free agency:
This God is for pregnancy testing for poor women and families. This God is for diagnosing and treating diseases in victims of rape and sexual assault. This god is for educating women about their bodies. This God is for women.
The night ended with stories from the crowd about how Planned Parenthood has positively impacted their lives–a perfect way to round out the evening in front of what (House) Representative Romero (D) repeatedly called, “the people’s house.” As of this article Governor Herbert has not changed his position. I urge you to continue writing his office, it only takes a minute, and you can use these tips on how to write public officials. Keep an eye out for more updates on how you can support your local Planned Parenthood clinic, and thank you to everyone who showed up Tuesday night!
This is a great video to show the right wing, pro-forced birth crowd, although it may not change their obstinate minds, it can shake a few screws loose. There may be a glimmer of hope that these people understand that this is pro-life: preventing the need for abortion and taking care of half of God's children, women! These death penalty advocates, for the most part, need as much enlightenment as possible.
