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A group of protesters from Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York chanted their messages across Nottingham Terrace from the Erie County Historical Society.
The chants included "Pro health care, pro women" and "Keep your Mitts off my birth control."
They also held signs supporting health care reform, abortion rights and opposing corporate greed. Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York spokeswoman Betsy Harned said her group donned pink T-shirts and gathered to let Romney know women are watching.
Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, eventually arrived for the fundraiser.
Some cruisers from the New York State Police accompanied the motorcade to the Historical Society building. Officers from the Buffalo and Transit Police Departments help control traffic and parking.
Besides the group from Planned Parenthood, others carry signs that read "Tax the 1%" eventually joined in the protest chants.
One protester encouraged the crowd to keep speaking out against -- what he called -- "a government structure that has gone amuck."
"We just have to continue to show up, stand together, press the issue, tell others who don't know, tell others who haven't taken a stand. We're making a difference," the man said.
As the afternoon wore on, a young man was seen walking down the sidewalk on Nottingham Terrace carrying a sign that read -- Romney for president.
Those outside the building never got a glimpse of the candidate. Supporters paying between $2,500 and $5,000 for the Historical Society event -- and then $10,000 for dinner at the home of Anthony Gioia, a Buffalo businessman.
Republican leaders say the event was expected to raise about $1.3 million.