By Gabrielle Seunagal
Yesterday, headlines were made when anti abortion activists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt were slammed with a total of 15 felonies by California prosecutors. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra alerted the world to the fact that Daleiden and Merritt invaded the privacy of medical doctors and health care providers by recording/filming activities without their consent. Daleiden labeled the charges as “bogus,” stating that they stemmed from political cronies at Planned Parenthood; Planned Parenthood refuted the argument, stating that women and healthcare providers cannot be targeted without consequence.
California prosecutors alleged that Daleiden and Merritt secretly recorded up to 14 people between (October 2013 and July 2015) without obtaining their consent beforehand. One felony count was applied for each person the couple spied on and the final count was added for a criminal conspiracy to invade privacy. It is astounding that selling fetal tissue is not a criminal offense, but undercover work serves as grounds for 15 felony counts. The justice system is undoubtedly in need of serious repair.
Planned Parenthood should not receive any additional means of public funding. A plethora of taxpayers are vehemently against Planned Parenthood’s operations and should not be forced to foot the bill. If their services are truly in high demand, then Planned Parenthood can seek funding elsewhere. Regardless of any stance one may take on abortion, the intent and hour long discussion of selling fetal tissue is disgusting and should be strongly censured.