Boise, Idaho News, Weather and Traffic - KTRV Fox 12 - Planned Parenthood of Idaho Accused of Racism
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Boise, Idaho -- Planned Parenthood of Idaho is accused of racism after a disturbing phone call with a donor.
The potential donation was part of a seven state sting involving Planned Parenthood affiliates. The donor specifically requested his money be used to abort African-American babies in order to lower the number of black people.
The organization's willingness to accept the gift has family and minority groups angry.
Planned Parenthood of Idaho: "Good afternoon, this is Autumn".
Caller: "Hello Autumn, I'm interested in making a donation today".
Posing as a racist donor, the caller is really an actor participating in a seven state sting. UCLA's student magazine "The Advocate" sponsored the investigation last summer.
He's talking with Planned Parenthood of Idaho's Vice-president of Marketing and Development Autumn Kersey.
Caller: "We just think the less black kids out there the better",
Autumn: "(laughs)...understandable, understandable".
The caller requested his donation go towards a black woman's abortion and stated he had trouble with affirmative action.
The magazine found that Idaho's Planned Parenthood and the other six state offices agreed to process the racially earmarked donation without hesitation.
It comes as a shock to Johali Muzaliwa, president of the Boise State University Black Student Alliance.
"I'm really surprised. You'd think that Planned Parenthood would reject the donations just on that basis," said Muzaliwa.
Idaho Values Alliance is asking that Kersey be terminated and Planned Parenthood make drastic changes.
"If Planned Parenthood will not do a major readjust of their policy and their thinking on the subject of racism, it maybe time for the citizens of the of Idaho, too. There's no place for you here in the gem state," said Idaho Values Alliance Executive Director Bryan Fischer.
"Taking it when it's going towards aborting a black baby because the color of their skin, that's horrible," said Muzaliwa.
No one from Planned Parenthood of Idaho was available for an on camera interview, but CEO Rebecca Poedy released a statement:
Saying in part, "Planned Parenthood firmly and unequivocally denounces racial bias in the delivery of health care.... A fund raising employee violated the organization's principles and practices when she appeared to be willing to accept a racially motivated donation. This employee made a serious mistake. We apologize for the manner in which this offensive call was handled."
The Idaho Values Alliance says 79 percent of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics are in minority neighborhoods.
Planned Parenthood is a private non-profit organization which offers affordable health care through medical service, education and advocacy.
