Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast organizes rally outside New Orleans church

Planned Parethood supporters are gathering outside a local church Saturday to protest efforts against construction of a new facility in New Orleans.

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast organized the "Stand with Women" rally, which begins at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on South Claiborne Avenue.

According to the organization, the rally was put together in support of a new Planned Parenthood facility in the Crescent City and to celebrate International Women's Day.

"For more than a year, extreme opponents of women's access to reproductive health care and sexual health education have launched protest and intimidation campaigns to try to stop the construction of a a much-needed larger, health center," Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said.

READ: Health Department blocks abortions at new Planned Parenthood facility

In January, the organization learned that the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals had rejected its application seeking to perform abortion services at a facility that is under construction in New Orleans on Claiborne Avenue.

According to reports, the letter states the organization did not demonstrate a need for another abortion facility in Louisiana. The process is required under regulations enacted in 2012.

Abortion rights supporters say the decision is one of a series of actions Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has taken to create roadblocks for women seeking the procedure in Louisiana.

WATCH: Planned Parenthood Files Appeal to Offer Abortions at New Facility

Currently, Louisiana has five abortion clinics. The new facility in New Orleans would become the third clinic to offer abortions in the Crescent City. A spokesperson told WDSU this recent decision by the DHH will not impact or stop plans to construct the New Orleans Planned Parenthood facility.

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Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast organizes rally outside New Orleans church