NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The bright yellow balloons, signs, and hundreds of people lining the street made a protest against Planned Parenthood hard to miss Saturday.
For most, it was their first time getting involved in what many call the pro-life movement.
"Ninety percent of the people who are here said this is their first time, but they're ready for more. They want this just to be the first step," organizer Erin Compton said.
It was the first of likely many steps. The debate between conservative groups and Planned Parenthood has been nothing new. What was new, however, were recently released videos of what protestors claim are Planned Parenthood employees selling fetal tissue.
"We've always had pro-life views. This has been what we need to be pushed into action," said Compton.
Compton and a friend took it upon themselves to take a stand.
"We were planning to stand out here with our families. We clicked a button that said 'organize protest' and my husband won't let me use the computer anymore," laughed Compton.
Her initiative helped first time protestors like Connie Michael and her family.
"It just got to the point where I couldn't sit by, it seems like silence is the same as looking the other way and condoning," Michael said.
They're demanding law makers to defund Planned Parenthood and hold them accountable for reportedly breaking the law.
However, Planned Parenthood executives have reported the videos released contain misleading information about tissue donation, which has not been against the law.
Either way, it’s ammunition for groups whose goal has been to do away with the organization altogether and prosecute the individuals behind it.
"You can't say one life is more valuable than another one," Compton explained.
Through the controversy Planned Parenthood executives have maintained these have all been accusations. Our attempts to contact a local spokesperson Saturday were unsuccessful.
