PEORIA, Ill. – “This was an attack on all of us.”
That’s how Congressman Eric Sorensen described the firebombing of the Peoria Planned Parenthood facility, not long after the man who did it got a ten year prison sentence.
“Just two days after the state enacted sweeping abortion protections into law, the clinic that serves thousands of local residents and their families was purposefully taken down,” said Sorensen (D-East Moline, 17th District). “Today is not a day to rejoice. Instead, we gather today in solidarity with the men and women of Planned Parenthood and our entire community.”
“In the year before the attack, we had served approximately 4,000 patients out of that health center, providing birth control, (Sexually-Transmitted Infection) testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and gender-affirming health care, plus medication abortions,” said Jennifer Welch, CEO, Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
Welch says some employees in other areas fear that their facility might be next to be attacked. Nevertheless, she says Peoria employees are currently working in Bloomington, and it’s anticipated the Peoria facility will reopen in January.
Sorensen says regardless of one’s personal or political views, no one should have to work or live in fear.
“We look at how the politics of division is now coming into these disagreements, and these disagreements are turning violent,” said Sorensen. “It is up to all of us to be able to stand up against that, to say that violence is not going to be tolerated.”
Sorensen says the justice system continues to work to protect its citizens. But, he says there can always be more safety, and he wants federal legislation restoring abortion protection nationally.
