A Planned Parenthood clinic in Columbus, Ohio was vandalized late Sunday night or early Monday morning with graffiti reading “SATAN DEN OF BABY KiLLERS,” according to local reports.
The writing on the side of the clinic building read in-full, “SATAN DEN OF BABYKILLERS GOD SEE ALLLL (sic), MARK 9:42,” according to the Columbus Dispatch. Red paint was also splashed on the front door.
A group of protesters who have been posted outside the clinic since August told local television station WCMH that they were not involved.
Protester Dave Daubenmire told WCMH that the vandalism was “a distraction” to “what’s really going on inside that place.”
“We know everybody is going to point the finger at us that we’ve done it,” he said. “But, we’ve been out here everyday since mid-August and we’ve had no incidents at all.”
A spokeswoman for the clinic told WCMH the vandalism continues other “lies and smear videos to demonize Planned Parenthood.”
“The individuals responsible for this act hope to send a signal that using acts of violence will intimidate health-care professionals and the women we serve,” Nicole Evans said. “They are wrong. Our doors will stay open.”
Clinic volunteers painted over the red letters on Monday night, according to the news station.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio provides abortion services in addition to other reproductive care.
