Planned Parenthood Shuts Down Site Indefinitely, Blames Mini Cyber Attack

07.30.2015 | Surge Wire |

After unidentified “anti-abortion extremists” blocked access to Planned Parenthood’s website Wednesday, the organization opted to shut down its site indefinitely and use the attack to fundraise.

“200,000 people per day count on our website for health information and services,” Planned Parenthood tweeted after announcing late Wednesday it was “under attack by anti-abortion extremists.” (RELATED: Hillary Calls Planned Parenthood Videos ‘Disturbing’)

About an hour later another tweet announced: “We’re back up, but we will be taking our site down for additional protection. We value the safety and care of our patients above all.”

BREAKING: http://t.co/Q8cXe58njh health website is under attack by anti-abortion extremists.

— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) July 29, 2015

200,000 people per day count on our website for health information and services. This is a new low.

— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) July 29, 2015

We’re back up, but we will be taking our site down for additional protection. We value the safety and care of our patients above all.

— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) July 29, 2015

Users who visit the site are now greeted with a message about the attack.

“Our site is not available due to an attack by extremists,” the message reads. “200,000 people a day are now being blocked from information and care by this attack.”

The message then redirects users to a Facebook page asking for money. “If it wasn’t clear that these attacks are an attempt to cut people off from care, an attack on the PP website makes it CRYSTAL clear. If you have a few bucks, please help PP fight back: ppact.io/helpfightback.”

Below the message is a phone number, a link to Google Maps in order to locate clinics, and a link to share support for Planned Parenthood.

(Screenshot/PlannedParenthood.org)

The fundraising link takes users to a page with the option to donate $35, $60, $100 or $200. Another message blames the brief attack for user’s ongoing inability to access the site.

“Hundreds of thousands of patients who rely on plannedparenthood.org for health information and services have been denied access,” the message reads. “The attacks on Planned Parenthood are an attempt to cut people off from care, plain and simple.”

The attack comes as the Center for Medical Progress continues to release a series of videos, sometimes filmed undercover, showing Planned Parenthood officials and doctors discussing the harvesting and distribution of dead fetuses. (RELATED: Fetal Harvester Describes Work In Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic)

Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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