From Staff Reports 

In early May, a Facebook and Reddit user posted photos of a man using a long-lens camera outside Asheville’s new Planned Parenthood clinic, photographing what appears to be almost anyone coming and going. The original photos were then being posted on a pro-life blog.

In response, one post on the West Asheville Exchange Facebook page drew more than 650 comments with members naming the invasive photographs harassment and organizing counter protests to the voyeur-style photography.

The pro-life blog, run by Meredith Eugene Hunt, displays strings of photos of volunteers, unidentified women and even an electrician working on wiring. The captions include extensive commentary, ranging from the author’s thoughts on “killing children” to speculation over why a volunteer’s backpack might be partially unzipped.

The national Planned Parenthood Federation has given the Asheville clinic, which celebrated its opening last week, including an appearance by Planned Parenthood president and pro-choice advocate Cecile Richards, a lot of social media love as well, hailing the opening as an unusual bright spot for pro-choice progress in the South.

In reaction to the less-than-desired social media attention, Hunt argued on her blog that she -— apparently associating herself with the unnamed male photographer — was doing more than taking photos of “anyone coming and going;” rather, she claims she was “taking pictures of anything that’s interesting, and of abortion site workers and escorts, and of people who yell at us.

“Couples coming for abortion happen to be an important part of the story,” she noted. “I’m not out to ID them or shame them, it’s just people need to see this — what it’s like outside a killing center. I’m usually not even thinking about taking pictures of people coming for abortion.

“I take pictures of everything that interests me, even a hawk,” Hunt continued. “On that particular day, I tried to get a picture of a blue jay that was attacking something under the eaves of the Planned Parenthood building. Unfortunately, he was hard to catch.

“So, nothing but negatives, soft boos, and inaccuracy for the pro-life guy, and nothing but warm hugs for the largest killer of pre-natal children in the world,” Hunt concluded.