Rally to support Planned Parenthood held in Columbia

Students and residents filled part of the MU campus Tuesday afternoon to support Planned Parenthood.

The rally comes after University Hospital voted to end “refer and follow” privileges for all doctors.

Dozens of supporters lined the Speaker’s Circle wearing pink and carrying signs.

Supporters said they’re upset that MU is severing ties with Planned Parenthood.

They said the final straw came when MU Hospital ended admitting privileges for the clinic’s physician, essentially keeping the clinic from performing abortions.

They said they showed up to stand in support and wanted the university to listen to them.

“Hopefully we can pull a huge crowd and just show the university, show the community, and show Planned Parenthood that they’re not in this alone. I think they’ve had a rough couple of months, and I think it’s important for us to stand tall and stand proud,” said Dina Van Der Zalm, a Planned Parenthood supporter.

Organizers said they’ve come across a lot of campus support for Planned Parenthood and hope to broaden it.