Group rallies for defunding of Denver's Planned Parenthood

DENVER -- The controversial issue of abortion brought a large group out to Denver’s Planned Parenthood on Saturday morning.

The rally was held just a few weeks after the national rallies held for March for Life.

“It’s very difficult to stand outside a place where you know that people are going to be murdered inside,” pro-life advocate Mark Aughenbaugh told Denver7.

While a majority of those rallying shared his ideology, there was some pushback from pro-choice advocates.

“It’s bizarre to me. I consider it healthcare. I consider reproductive healthcare to be a human right,” Jason Metter said about Planned Parenthood.

A Planned Parenthood spokesperson said the clinic sees 70,000 Colorado patients each year. That same spokesperson said she sees pro-life advocates outside of the clinic at least five days a week.

Tom Uebbing, the rally organizer, said he wants to see that money moved to federally-approved community health centers.

Pro-life advocates said their efforts are peaceful -- adding they will continue to pray for young mothers who use Planned Parenthood, but they’re mostly rallying for the lives of babies. “To try to stop this innocent bloodshed and try to intervene on behalf of these children as best we can,” Aughenbaugh said.

Saturday’s rally was just one of more than 200 events being held across the country. The #ProtestPP Coalition’s efforts are centered around wanting Planned Parenthood stripped of all its federal funding.