After returning from an abortion-rights march in Washington, several Ohio University students and Athens residents found their car tires slashed in the Planned Parenthood parking lot.
OU juniors Rose Donohoo and Ashley Feyedelem parked Feyedelem's car in the parking lot of Planned Parenthood of Southeast Ohio, 280 E. State St., late Saturday night and rode a bus to Washington. When they returned Monday around 2 a.m., they found that Feyedelem's tires were flat.
(Feyedelem) had two tires slashed
Donohoo said. It was $40 for her to get the car towed and $140 to get the tires replaced.
Seven vehicles had flat tires in the parking lot, according to an Athens Police Department report. Officer Ralph Harvey wrote in the report that a sharp object, possibly a knife, was used to puncture the tires. The report said there are no suspects at this time.
Sheila Buckley, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Southeast Ohio, said it is unfortunate the vandals went to such great lengths to make their voices heard. Buckley said that she has never seen such intense opposition to abortion in this area.
Here in southeast Ohio I'm quite certain this is the first incident of violence which in my mind really speaks to the changes in the political climate
she said. This presidential election is probably the most important presidential election that we've see in decades because of the ramifications of Roe v. Wade and several Supreme Court appointments that would affect the woman's right to choose.
Buckley said about 60 OU students and Athens residents rode the bus from Athens to Washington to attend the march.
We're sorry this incident occurred
but we're also very moved by the manner by which the students handled it
she said. I think they handled it with great poise
and I'm very proud to be associated with them.
The incident will not stop Planned Parenthood from organizing events such as the bus trip to Washington, Buckley said.
It may just mean that we have to tighten up our security
she said.
Donohoo said she was surprised by the incident because they were protesting appropriately, with marches and letters.
We weren't expecting such an attack on our private property
she said. But it'll definitely never stop us from (marching) again.
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