Citing abortion views, DC boots restaurant pro-life group – Catholic Telegraph

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A Washington, DC restaurant says it “stands firm” in its support of legalized abortion and has canceled a pro-life group’s booking for its annual March for Life Breakfast.

The group, Democrats for Life of America, planned the event at the K Street location of Busboys and Poets, a restaurant-bookstore chain, to coincide with the 49th Annual March for Life on January 21st.

“When our team learned of the fundraising nature of the event in question, the decision was made to cancel it and refund all deposits to the organizer,” a spokeswoman for Busboys and Poets told CNA.

The chain “stands firmly on the belief that women have the right to make their own reproductive health decisions,” she said.

“While we welcome conversations from individuals who express differing viewpoints and pride ourselves on being a place for respectful conversations between diverse groups, we are also a safe place,” the spokeswoman continued. “As such, we cannot knowingly accept events designed to fund an agenda that our community members believe is trampling on the rights of others.”

the Event Policies The chain listings on their website do not mention restrictions on events due to their nature or content.

The chain notified Democrats for Life of the cancellation on Jan. 11.

“The main purpose of breakfast is to come together as a group with some of our fellow Whole Life Democrats (donors, supporters and candidates we have endorsed) before we take to the streets to fight for the rights of children in the womb,” Jess Meeth, DFLA’s national communications director, told CNA, referring to the group’s commitment to advocating for “all” human life at every stage.

According to a DFLA press release, Busboys and Poets said the cancellation was because their guests “commented on the nature and tone of the event.” Meeth told CNA she wasn’t sure how the restaurant’s diners found out about the private event or who they were.

Busboys and Poets’ decision came after DFLA chief executive Kristen Day spoke with a restaurant manager.

“The catering director mentioned to me that Planned Parenthood is holding events at the venue that I don’t think are relevant to the conversation,” Day said, according to the press release. “It’s clear that Busboys and Poets gave in to the pressure instead of honoring the contract we signed.”

Meeth said the DFLA is currently looking for another venue. She said Americans — regardless of their political party or position on abortion — should be mindful of the cancellation.

“Pro-life Americans should absolutely care about this cancellation, regardless of their political party,” she told CNA. “Abortion is a human rights issue that cannot be confined to one political party. We need bipartisan support and bipartisan efforts from conservatives, liberals and everyone in between.”

“Americans as a whole should also care about this cancellation,” she continued. “We Americans want a country that is rooted in inclusion and diversity. Inclusiveness and diversity cannot be achieved if we shun and exclude individuals or groups based on political backgrounds, beliefs and ideals.”

Founded in 1999, Democrats For Life of America is dedicated to educating Democrats about pro-life politics, promoting a pro-life plank in the Democratic Party platform, and supporting laws that promote respect for all human life.

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