Graphic signs. Verbal harassment. Distorted information. Each week, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania patients, staff and supporters visiting the downtown headquarters are faced with anti-choice protestors pacing outside our clinic doors. These 'sidewalk counselors,' as they call themselves, carry grisly signs, yell at patients as they enter and leave, and harass and annoy passersby. These individuals are hateful, offensive and intimidating not only to our PPWP patients and staff, but also to the downtown Pittsburgh community and visitors.

PPWP receives complaints daily relating to the protestor activity. We can't stop protestors from picketing, so we instead turn the tables on them so that each protestor benefits our health centers! As PPWP kicks off its fifth year of The Pledge-A-Picketer Campaign, we'd like to invite you to join and stand with us against those who want to deny us of our reproductive rights.

How does this innovative program work? The Pledge-A-Picketer Program participants may pledge a specific amount per picketer or make a single contribution. Protestor numbers are tabulated each month and multiplied by your pledge amount to calculate your donation. Supporters receive updates on protestor activity and on the funds raised. The more picketers who demonstrate, the more donations PPWP receives. We post updates of the revenue generated in our display window making the protestors fully aware that their actions are benefiting us.

PPWP averages 150 protestors in front of our offices each month. By joining this program, you can help us change that and make a difference. For example, if you pledge $.10 per picketer per month, your contribution would be $15 per month. You can choose to be billed annually, semi-annually, quarterly or you could make a one-time contribution today. The more you give, the more you can help us provide a safer, more secure environment at our health centers.

Last December, PPWP spearheaded an effort in establishing a ground-breaking city ordinance. Together with Pittsburgh's City Council, the Woman's Law Project and hundreds of supporters, a buffer zone to protect patients and staff was passed into law. Read about The Health Care Facilities Act.

Since the program's inception in 2002, nearly 8,000 protestors have picketed our Liberty Avenue health center as well as our Moon Township and Bridgeville offices, raising nearly $16,000. Just by being there, the protestors help support sex education, low cost birth control and access to abortion services.

Your generous donation toward this campaign will:

• Provide secure and safe access for patients and staff
• Support advocacy for legislation to help keep reproductive health services safe, legal and accessible
• Provide affordable, confidential and essential reproductive health care and sexuality education to thousands of individuals off all ages each year.

If you have any questions or feedback, please email pledgeapicketer@ppwp.org.