The Richmond City Council is prioritizing abortion for out-of-state women over the needs of the local community. They are neglecting their constituents, prioritizing the interests of a corporation over local residents, and taking advantage of tax benefits and out-of-state customers.

Last week, they voted to sell a million-dollar building for a loss.

One member voted present, unable to comprehend why the building was sold for a mere $10 when the property across the street fetched millions.

DFL of Virginia President Craig Rew vehemently opposed the sale of the property to Planned Parenthood. His passionate testimony stated, “Real Democratic Progressives see a problem and fix it. They don’t kill the baby because they think the baby might suffer.”

It’s disconcerting to note that Planned Parenthood, a name often associated with reproductive healthcare, does not prioritize nor offer prenatal care in most of its facilities. In 2023, they provided a total of 6,316 prenatal services while conducting 392,715 abortions, according to their annual report. The new facility’s primary goal seems to be to cater to those seeking abortion or gender-affirming care from outside the state.

“In light of the various bans on reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare in nearly all of Virginia’s surrounding states, Mayor Stoney’s administration worked with us to identify property where we could expand access to critical reproductive and primary healthcare,” said Virginia League for Planned Parenthood CEO Paulette McElwain. “We plan to use the property to build a new health center that will allow us to provide comprehensive healthcare to approximately 5,000 Richmond-area residents and folks traveling from across the South to access care.”

The City Council and Planning Commission should be asked why they provide these incentive packages to a well-funded corporation intending to serve out-of-state women. The needs of the people of Richmond are significant, but women need more than abortion services. Most women seeking abortion are financially insecure or feel pressured to abort their child.

What is the Council doing to address equity for pregnancy outcomes where women without resources have the same opportunity to parent as those with resources?

Nothing.

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