AURORA | A group initially seeking to recall state Rep. JoAnn Windholz, R-Reunion, because of comments related to the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting, will meet Tuesday on the steps of the state Capitol and deliver petitions asking for her resignation.
“Our goal is to render (Windholz) unelectable,” said protest organizer Steve Cohn. He said that Windholz comments were reprehensible and that critics would work to keep her name in front of voters through Election Day in hopes of ensuring her ouster.
Windholz has been under fire since December for social remarks made about Planned Parenthood after a fatal shooting siege in Colorado Springs.
Petitioners that are part of a Facebook site dedicated to her recall said they would deliver to Windholz’ office a petition launched through Care2 with about 63,000 signatures demanding she resign.
“After we deliver this petition, we will offer Rep. Windholz the opportunity to read over the signatures and resign voluntarily,” a recent Facebook post about the rally said. “If Rep. Windholz has not resigned her seat within 30 days, we will be holding a separate rally in support of women’s reproductive rights and health, as well as protesting Rep. Windholz’s comments about the Colorado Springs attack of Nov. 27, 2015.”
Windholz, whose House District 30 includes north Aurora, came under national scrutiny after posting comments on Facebook about Planned Parenthood being responsible for the deadly shooting at their Colorado Springs clinic.
“Violence is never the answer but we must start pointing out who is the real culprit,” Windholz wrote on her Facebook page. “The true instigator of this violence and all violence at any (Planned Parenthood) facility, is (Planned Parenthood) themselves. Violence begets violence. So (Planned Parenthood), YOU STOP THE VIOLENCE INSIDE YOUR WALLS.”
The comments prompted the start of a recall campaign against Windholz, to which she has given no formal response. EMILY’s List, a national and active group advocating for women in politics, also added Windholz to their “On Notice” list, which they deem “a top target for Democratic takeover” in the next election, following her comments.
Windholz has filed to run for re-election in the fall, as first reported by the Colorado Independent. Two Democrats, Dafna Michaelson Jenet and John Myers, both of Commerce City, are also running for the seat.
The protestors plan to meet in the park tomorrow on the west side of Lincoln St, just west of the Capitol steps at 11:00 am and hold the rally against Windholz at noon.