On Tuesday night, the Raleigh City Council in North Carolina denied A Hand of Hope pregnancy resource center’s effort to move its office next to the A Preferred Women’s Health Center abortion facility.
As Live Action News covered in April, A Hand of Hope had planned the move “to go exactly where the people are that we’re trying to reach.” They also dismissed concerns that their proximity to the abortionists would generate unrest, noting that abortion facility protests are against their policy.
The West Raleigh Citizens Advisory Council had initially approved rezoning the home Hand of Hope wanted for office space, but the City Council has ultimately nixed the plan.
However, city officials claimed the decision ultimately had nothing to do with abortion or pregnancy services, but simply that rezoning would not be compatible with their broader city plan.
“The proposed rezoning is not the most efficient use of the land, nor will it produce a high tax value compared to a large, more coordinated office development,” Councilwoman Kay Crowder said. “The rezoning of this one singular parcel within a larger area designated for office use will have detrimental impact on the remaining residents’ properties.”
Hand of Hope operates the Your Choice Pregnancy Clinic, which offers free pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infection testing, limited ultrasound services, and information on abortion, adoption, and parenting.
