August 27, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — Numbers have poured in for what some have called the largest protest ever in the history of the pro-life movement, the result of Planned Parenthood’s ongoing human body part trafficking scandal, and totals indicate the grassroots are galvanized.
As of press time 306 sites out of 356 reported participation totals hitting 73,832, according to #ProtestPP, the pro-life alliance behind the effort. Individual cities' totals are available here.
“The vision of #ProtestPP was to strengthen the efforts of local groups and activists,” Created Equal National Director Mark Harrington said in a statement. “You can be assured that whatever the next steps are that will be the goal going forward.”
Created Equal, along with the Pro-Life Action League, 40 Days for Life, and Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, are the four primary sponsors of #ProtestPP.
While nationwide groups are important to the pro-life cause, Harrington said, it’s the effort of local pro-life communities that will make the difference.
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“The main takeaway from #ProtestPP was that the strength of our movement lies in local communities and neighborhoods where individuals and groups take ownership over their local PPs,” he stated. “Abortion won't end solely by actions of a few large national organizations, as vital as they are, but by a wide range of contributions from individuals and groups at the local level.”
#ProtestPP was the top trending item on Facebook and Twitter over the weekend, according to Created Equal.
The coalition is assessing the event’s impact and looking at what’s next for the pro-life campaign to expose and defund Planned Parenthood. They are encouraging pro-life supporters to keep up the prayer and protest presence at Planned Parenthood locations as often as possible going forward.
“This weekend was huge, but it was not the end,” Harrington said. “We cannot pat ourselves on the back and stop now. We have momentum on our side.”