Here's How Pro-Lifers Responded to 'National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day

Pro-choice advocates around the nation celebrated "National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" Monday, an effort to offer praise and thanksgiving to doctors who provide the procedure to women across America. But one pro-life group sought to counter the day with a campaign of its own -- "National Abortionist Prayer Day."

Students for Life of America, a pro-life group that works to engage young activists, decided to combat the abortion appreciation effort by encouraging its supporters to pray for abortion doctors.

"Please keep an abortionist in your thoughts and prayers today -- that their eyes will be opened, their heart will be changed, and the killing will stop," the group wrote on its Facebook page.

Image source: Students for Life of America

As hundreds of pro-lifers "liked" the social media post and engaged in the effort, pro-choice groups forged on with "National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day," which has unfolded annually since 1996.

In a blog post commemorating the effort, NARAL Pro-Choice America, a group that supports abortion rights, explained its belief that abortion access is essential.

"Abortion providers across the country risk their lives to ensure women can access abortion care with compassion. Not only do they put their safety on the line, some also travel thousands of miles to make sure they can provide care in areas where there is no abortion provider on staff," read the blog post. "That's why we work every day to protect women's reproductive freedom and abortion providers across the country."

Pro-choice affiliates and organizations across the country also took to social media to share their gratitude and praise for abortion doctors, with some thanking these practitioners for savings women's lives. Here are just some of those tweets.

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/ClaudineJacques/status/443242757210243072"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/ProChoiceCT/status/443032445894799360"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/reprodocs/status/443062062458363904"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/rhrealitycheck/status/311291743846932480"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/JulianaBrittoS/status/310109708184854529"]

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/nwlc/status/310085198786203649"]

Planned Parenthood of NYC offered up some tips for how pro-choice advocates could celebrate the day as well -- a list of possibilities that ranged from sending thank you notes and flowers to abortion doctors to volunteering at a clinic or donating to Planned Parenthood's efforts.

"The National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers was initiated in 1996 and co-sponsored by many national organizations, as a way to help create a positive climate for abortion providers across the country," the organization explained.

Planned Parenthood continued, "March 10 is the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. David Gunn, the first abortion provider murdered. It is a day to remember and honor Dr. Gunn and others who put their lives on the line daily to make reproductive freedom possible."

--

Featured image via Students for Life of America