This week, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) will take place in Chicago, Illinois. Many top Democrats are scheduled to speak at the event, including President Joe Biden on Monday night. The convention will culminate with Vice President Kamala Harris and MInn. Gov. Tim Walz formally accepting the party's nomination for the presidential election.
Several VERIFY readers texted us to ask if the 2024 DNC will offer free abortions and vasectomies. Lori asked “Will the 2024 DNC offer free abortions and vasectomies?” Another reader asked if the DNC will have a “special setup” for those who want an abortion.
THE QUESTION
Is the Democratic National Convention offering free abortions and vasectomies?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, the Democratic National Convention is not offering free abortions and vasectomies.
WHAT WE FOUND
Planned Parenthood is operating a mobile clinic in Chicago the week of the DNC to offer free abortions, emergency contraception and vasectomies. The mobile clinic is not based at the DNC, nor is it being operated in partnership with or connected to official convention events.
Planned Parenthood Great Rivers (PPGR) is providing free services on Aug. 19 and 20 at a mobile clinic based in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, according to a press release.
Democratic National Convention events will take place at the United Center and McCormick Place Convention Center, according to the DNC’s website. Neither location is in the West Loop, although the West Loop sits in between the two venues.
The DNC’s website makes no mention of Planned Parenthood’s mobile clinic, and it does not say free abortions are being offered to the event’s attendees. It does, however, list DNC events focused on discussing abortion rights.
The PPGR press release makes no mention of the DNC.
All of the appointments for free vasectomies and medication abortions at the PPGR’s mobile clinic in Chicago have already been filled, according to an Aug. 17 post PPGR made on X.
PPGR operates in southern Illinois and the St. Louis metropolitan area. Another local Planned Parenthood office, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, is based in Chicago.
VERIFY reached out to PPGR and the DNC for comment but did not hear back from either before publishing.
This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español: No, la Convención Nacional Demócrata no está ofreciendo abortos gratuitos
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