False teeth? In 2023, RSW's Lost & Found Office collected 3,600 items at the Fort Myers airport

Clash outside Planned Parenthood in Naples sends one man to hospital for injuries

The weekly anti-abortion protest outside Planned Parenthood Naples Health Center turned violent Monday when a protester was hit several times, according to witnesses.

The victim, Joe Alger, 65, of Marco Island, was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for his injuries. Contacted later, Alger said he was not going to press charges.

A weekly anti-abortion protest outside Planned Parenthood in Naples turned violent on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, when a man attacked a protester, hitting him twice in the face, which sent the victim to the hospital. Collier County Sheriff’s deputies were called but said no charges would be filed.

“It’s a painful situation, and I’m not going to make it any worse,” Alger said.

A man fitting witnesses’ description of the attacker was later escorted by a sheriff’s deputy from the clinic, at 1425 Creech Road in North Naples, into the back seat of a patrol car. He was not in handcuffs.

Video:Protest against Planned Parenthood

Photos:Planned Parenthood volunteers escort patients

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Krista Williamson said the agency responded to the clinic at 10:49 a.m. in connection to a fight.

“After completing their preliminary investigation, detectives advise both parties declined to press charges, and no arrests were made,” she said.

Anti-abortion protesters gather every Monday morning on the sidewalk outside the health clinic when abortions are offered every other Monday, trying to sway patients to make an alternative decision. The Planned Parenthood clinic in Naples began offering abortions in 2009.

Eileen Warburton and Father Michael Orsi talk about a fight that occurred outside Planned Parenthood in Naples on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Charges will not be filed.

In response to the protesters, Planned Parenthood has volunteers stationed outside to escort patients into the building.

About 10 protesters were gathered Monday morning when a man in the building went outside and across the street and started taking pictures of the protesters, said Carol Gentile, one of the regular protesters.

Alger was on the sidewalk on the north side of Creech, on the same side of the road as Planned Parenthood, when the man approached Alger, who was saying his rosary, Gentile said.

More:Planned Parenthood to offer services to transgender clients

More:Planned Parenthood volunteers want to help women

The unidentified man got close to Alger’s face and punched him, and Alger was knocked to the ground and punched a second time, she said. Other witnesses corroborated her account of what happened, adding that the man used obscene language and gestures.

“I have never ever seen this type of aggression or fighting (here),” Gentile said. “It is a peaceful protest.”

Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Sarah Scully said clinic staff is cooperating with the authorities.

From left, Carol Gentile, Eileen Warburton and Father Michael Orsi talk about a fight that occurred outside Planned Parenthood in Naples on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Charges will not be filed.

“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of all people, and we remain focused on fulfilling our mission of delivering high-quality health care to our community, no matter what,” Scully said in a statement. “There was an unfortunate incident at our Naples health center today when a fight broke out between a trespassed protestor and a patient’s support person. Our staff responded to the safety needs of both parties and our patients, and are now working with the Naples police to handle any follow up.”

More:Planned Parenthood names Baltimore health commissioner as its new president

More:SW Florida Planned Parenthood CEO Barbara Zdravecky to retire in January

Paul Van Valkenburg, a volunteer escort with Planned Parenthood, said the victim earlier had trespassed on Planned Parenthood property, and the Sheriff’s Office was initially called. The second call was in response to the altercation.

Van Valkenburg, who did not start his shift as an escort until noon, after the incident, was told the man was at the clinic with his wife.

Scully said the clinic hopes people are able to receive the compassionate care they need.

“We are so grateful for our volunteers and staff who are committed to providing a safe space for those seeking our care,” she said.

The Rev. Michael Orsi, with St. Agnes Catholic Church, who arrived after the incident, said there has never been any violence between protesters and anybody from inside the clinic.

“I’m shocked,” Orsi said.