NEWS

46,000 people have donated to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence's name since the election

Allison Carter
allison.carter@indystar.com
Indiana Governor Mike Pence gives remarks during the 1816 Commemorative Forever Stamp First-Day-Of-Issue Stamp Dedication Ceremony, celebrating Indiana's Bicentennial, held at the Indiana Statehouse, Tuesday June 7th, 2016.

People on social media, ranging from regular Janes to celebrities, have been passing around Mike Pence's official contact information.

Why?

To encourage others to make a donation to Planned Parenthood in Pence's name and send him a notification of the gift.

Planned Parenthood confirmed that people are putting their money where their tweets are. Of more than 200,000 donations made to Planned Parenthood since the election, 46,000 have been made in the vice president-elect's name, according to the organization.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards said the organization has seen an "unprecedented outpouring" of support since the Nov. 8 election.

Representatives for Pence did not respond to requests for comment.

President-elect Donald Trump has stated his intention to appoint judges who oppose abortion. In an interview with "60 Minutes," he left open the possibility of repealing Roe v. Wade and returning the legality of abortions to state control. If abortion is banned in some states, Trump said, “Well, (people seeking abortions) perhaps have to go, they’ll have to go to another state.”

Planned Parenthood provides a host of health care services, including cancer screenings, sex education, contraception and abortion.

Pence is no stranger to online protests from pro-choice supporters. After he signed into law a bill that requires the remains of aborted or miscarried fetuses to be interred or cremated, women began calling and emailing his office with updates on their menstrual cycles. Today, the Periods for Politicians (previously Periods for Pence) Facebook page has 85,000 fans who continue to share their reproductive health issues with Pence and others.

Carmel mom is the previously unidentified woman behind Periods for Pence

Pence isn't the only one targeted in such a donation campaign.

On HBO's "Last Week Tonight," John Oliver urged viewers to donate in the names of pro-Trump relatives to organizations such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the International Refugee Assistance Fund and  the Center for Reproductive Rights.

"Happy holidays, Nana! The Trevor Project thanks you," Oliver said.

Note: This clip contains profanity.

Allison Carter is Facebook editor at IndyStar. Follow her on Twitter:  @AllisonLCarter