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Rally Held To Protest House Measure On 'Planned Parenthood' Funding

NEW YORK (WCBS 880/1010 WINS) -- A large rally in support of Planned Parenthood was held Saturday afternoon in Foley Square. Thousands came out to voice their opinions after the House of Representatives voted to cut funding to the organization.

Among those in attendance was Eliza Davison, an intern for the group, who told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall the organization provided many services, especially for low-income women.

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WCBS 880's Sophia Hall speaks with people at the Planned Parenthood rally

"Planned Parenthood offers anything from basic OBGYN exams to STI testing and cancer screenings, mammograms, pap smears," she said.

Spokesperson Haydee Morales also argued that the organization helped domestic violence and rape victims.

"We really see it as a war and an attack on women," Morales said of the House bill, "one in five women use the services of Planned Parenthood."

The rally was held as a protest to a House vote last Friday that would block federal aid for the organization. Indiana Republican Mike Pence led the charge for the bill, saying taxpayer dollars should not go to organizations that provide or promote abortion.

Many at Saturday's rally argued that Planned Parenthood's mission went beyond the issues of abortion and birth control.

"This isn't about controversy. This is about basic health care and basic health care on the level of just making sure that we're safe and secure the way anyone is," one woman told 1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was among the politicians at the rally. She told Hall that she was angry that the House would want funding cut from the group.

"97 percent of the work Planned Parenthood does is general reproductive health care," she said.

Morales said if funding is cut "women would not receive contraceptive services, HIV/STI testing, family planning, much-needed cancer screenings."

It is estimated that Planned Parenthood receives over $300 million in federal dollars. While the proposal passed the House of Representatives, the measure is unlikely to get through the Democratic majority in the Senate.

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