Citizens for Community Action had its beginnings in 1976 to oppose a Planned Parenthood clinic that was to open in the former Jimmy's Restaurant building at 1965 Ford Parkway in St. Paul. The group for many years continued a program of daily picketing of the clinic, sidewalk counseling of women visiting the facility, and prayer vigils. They also conducted an annual memorial service for the unborn. The group campaigned for parents' rights and abortion restrictions, testified in favor of a state parental notification bill, and led efforts to institute a fetal disposal ordinance in St. Paul.
The organization announced in March 2003 that it would disband in response to what it called a flourishing pro-life movement, and that it would merge with Pro-Life Action Ministries and the Highland Life Care Center. At that time it claimed some 1700 members, living mostly in the Highland Park, Macalester-Groveland, and Summit Hill neighborhoods of St. Paul. Attorney John D. Healy, Jr. of St. Paul was the first president of the organization. The clinic in St. Paul remained the first and only Planned Parenthood clinic in Minnesota to perform abortions.
From the guide to the Citizens for Community Action records., 1969-2003., (Minnesota Historical Society)
