Spring 2013 - Pro-Life Action League
Transcription
Spring 2013 - Pro-Life Action League
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 5928 Chicago, IL Spring 2013 Pro-Life Action League 6160 N. Cicero Ave. Ste. 600 Chicago, IL 60646 Vol. 32, No. 1 League Protests New Kansas Abortionist at Office in Illinois Action in Oak Park could lead to closure of Wichita Abortuary by Eric Scheidler On April 1, I received a top secret email from Troy Newman, the head of Operation Rescue, based in Wichita, Kansas. Troy had just discovered the identity of an abortionist recruited to open up the abortion center formerly run by the notorious George Tiller. Tiller’s late-term abortion clinic in Wichita closed down after he was shot and killed in 2009, and since then abortion advocates have been desperate to reopen it—which meant finding a doctor to sign on as “registered agent,” a sort of official owner required under Kansas law. Unable to convince any doctor in Kansas to do this, they began searching outside of the state. They finally recruited an out-of-state doctor willing to sign on with the new abortion clinic, which would be called South Wind Women’s Center. But when South Wind filed their official papers, Operation Rescue was able to acquire them through the Freedom of Information Act and discover this doctor’s identity. And that’s when Troy emailed me. The doctor’s name was Cheryl Chastine, and it turned out she practices family medicine in Oak Park, a Chicago suburb not far from Pro-Life Action League’s headquarters. Not only would she be serving as registered agent for South Wind, but she would be flying in from Chicago regularly to In This Issue: Enormous Crowd for March for Life . . . . . . . . League Fights Planned Parenthood in All Weathers and on Every Front . . . . . . . . . New Techniques for Saving Lives Revealed at Chicago Sidewalk Counseling Seminar . . . . A Picture Is Worth 10,000 Words . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 4 4 Generations for Life News TeenSpeak 2013 Draws Largest Crowd Ever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 GFL’s 2013 Talks Blessed by Repeat Invitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Joe & Ann Scheidler Spend a Weekend of Pro-life Activities in Naples, Florida . . . . . . 6 Powerful Speakers Deliver at SpeakOut Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 May They Rest in Peace: Mike Schwartz, Eric Bower & Tom Bresler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 League Warmly Welcomes New Pro-Life Pope Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 “Blessed Are They Who Mourn” . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Pro-Life Battle in Aurora Heats Up on Good Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 League’s Good Friday Way of the Cross Goes National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Photo by Matt Yonke James Voissem alerts passersby in Oak Park, IL that an abortionist is now working at a family practice office in their community, April 17 perform abortions there. And significantly, Troy had learned that Chastine didn’t want anyone back home in Oak Park to know about her Wichita abortion work—not even her co-workers. League Jumps into Action Reading Troy’s email, I recognized a unique opportunity for the Pro-Life Action League to strike a blow at the abortion industry. If we could put pressure on Chastine to drop out of the South Wind abortion center, they’d have no choice but to close their doors, because you can’t operate a medical office in Kansas without a doctor on the papers. Not only would this mean saving the lives of countless unborn babies in Kansas, but it would be deeply demoralizing for the entire pro-abortion movement. The site of George Tiller’s old abortion center has become a kind of symbol for them— that’s why they were so desperate to reopen it. My staff and I leapt into action and organized a protest outside the Oak Park family medical practice at which Chastine had recently begun working, a place called Total Wellness. We also designed large yellow signs in the shape of an arrow that read ABORTIONIST, and had them printed. We knew the impact these signs, along with graphic abortion signs, would have on the staff and clients at Total Wellness. I scheduled the protest for April 17, because it was essential to act quickly. Our information was that Chastine had only been doing abortions for a few short weeks. We know from undercover operations within the abortion industry that it takes doing at least 1,000 abortions for the practice to become routine. So we had to reach Chastine while her conscience was still raw. First Chastine Protest Hits Home The April 17 protest was a great success. Despite the short notice and the forecasted rain, dozens of pro-life activists came out, including famed pro-life Continued on page 2 League Helps Scuttle New Fairfax Abortion Mega-Center by Matt Yonke numbered under the terms of the lawsuit. In March, I received a call Further investigation by lofrom John Murray, the coordical pro-lifers confirmed that nator of the 40 Days for Life not only was NOVA moving, campaign in Fairfax, Virginia. it was moving to a monstrous John had heard rumors that 20,000 square foot space being the abortion clinic where his renovated for their use in the group had been holding their heart of the city’s downtown 40 Days vigils, NOVA Womarea. The Fairfax pro-life activen’s Health, was closing, but ists believe NOVA intends to that it might be re-opening in capitalize on the likely closing another location. When John of many Virginia abortion faciltold the 40 Days for Life naities in the wake of tough new Photo by Ruby Nicdao tional leadership about what he Pro-life activists in Fairfax, Virginia, warn their commu- safety regulations in the state, knew, they advised him to con- nity about the massive new abortuary that may be coming scooping up their business with tact the Pro-Life Action League a new abortion center that confor help. forms to the new rules. John learned that NOVA had lost their original Independent “Mega-Mill” Comes to Fairfax location after the owner of the building successfulI was shocked by this news. Never before had I ly sued to have the abortionist evicted for being a heard an independent abortionist essentially taknuisance—such as women bleeding and vomiting ing on Planned Parenthood’s “Mega-Mill” strategy, in the hallways. When John called the League, NOVA had not moved out yet, but their days were Continued on page 3 2 Pro-Life Action News Spring 2013 League Protests New Kansas Abortionist at Office in Illinois Continued from page 1 blogger Jill Stanek and Archdiocese of Chicago Respect Life Director Margie Breen, as well as an unusually high number of people attending their first pro-life protest ever. The Chicago pro-life community was really fired up by this exciting opportunity to show that Chicago is truly “Ground Zero” for pro-life activism! League volunteers passed out hundreds of flyers which exposed Chastine’s secret abortion work and urged her patients to find a doctor who doesn’t kill babies. Every person entering or leaving the doctor’s office got one. The staff at Total Wellness were visibly shaken by our presence. We spelled out clearly how high the costs would be for Chastine to stay in the abortion industry. Outside of the impact right there on the street outside Total Wellness, this protest yielded two immediate results. The first was a tip from an anonymous caller that very day that Dr. Chastine would be moving soon to an office right in fashionable downtown Oak Park—a tip that my staff was soon able to verify and take advantage of. Abortion Advocates Distraught The second result came in the form of an email intercepted from Eleanor Smeal, head of the Feminist Majority Foundation who has been at war the Pro-Life Action League for years. Smeal was head of the National Organization for Women when they first filed suit against my father in the epic NOW v. Scheidler lawsuit. Later, she founded the Feminist Majority Foundation. Shortly after the April 17 protest, Smeal sent out an email to all her supporters decrying the “harassment” of Dr. Chastine at her Illinois practice and the “threat” it posed to her “courageous” abortion work in Kansas. Smeal’s frantic email made my day. Not only did it confirm that the League protest had really hit home with Chastine, but it revealed that the entire pro-abortion lobby is horrified to see these protests continue. They know it isn’t just about one abortion doctor. The abortion industry is already finding it extremely difficult to recruit new abortionists. They know that their entire future is at stake if young doctors recognize the high price they’ll have to pay for getting involved in abortion. The enthusiasm of our pro-life volunteers coupled with the horror being expressed by the likes of Eleanor Smeal made clear that another protest at Total Wellness was in order. League Campaign Expands Meanwhile, my staff began to research the new location for Chastine’s office that we’d gotten from that anonymous tipster. After verifying that Chastine was indeed moving there, I wrote a letter to the owner of the building, alerting her to Chastine’s abortion work and the protests it would bring, and urging her to back out of renting space to Chastine. Photo by Matt Yonke League’s second protest at abortionist Chastine’s Oak Park office, May 22 I sent this letter via certified mail to two mailing addresses I found for the building owner. One letter was returned marked “refused.” Presumably she read the other one, but I did not hear from her. So my staff began identifying all the other businesses in the building and the surrounding block. I wrote to each of them, calling on them to try to stop Chastine from moving in there—if not because they care about unborn babies, then because they don’t want their business disrupted by the protests coming if Chastine moves in. Another avenue of protest opened up when I learned that Troy Newman had identified a second doctor linked to the South Wind abortion clinic: Arizona abortionist Valencia Stephens. Like Chastine, Stephens would be flying in from her home state to do abortions in Wichita. I’m now working with my Arizona pro-life contacts to arrange similar protests there. Second Protest Earns Media Coverage The League’s second protest at Chastine’s family practice office took place on May 22, and turnout was even better than for the first protest, with even more pro-lifers coming out for their very first public protest. Once again, steady rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the pro-lifers lining the sidewalks in front of Chastine’s Total Wellness office with their signs. One Dominican University student brought a sign of her own with the clever slogan, “Total Wellness for the Unborn.” The protest went very smoothly, with Oak Park police officers being generally cooperative, as they had been the month before. However, one officer’s behavior was perplexing: he walked up and down the block, taking pictures of each protestor with his cell phone. When questioned, he brusquely replied that he had orders to take everyone’s picture. The May 22 protest was covered by the Chicago Tribune, and significantly, Chastine refused to be interviewed for the article—another sign that her commitment to being an abortionist is flagging. Dynamic League Action to Continue With Cheryl Chastine still showing signs that she’s a reluctant abortionist, the League’s campaign to get her to drop her affiliation with South Wind Women’s Center in Wichita will continue. Another protest at her Oak Park office is planned for June 26, and future protests may be held at the starter home she just purchased with her new husband, once we can verify the address. Maybe Dr. Chastine—who has only been licensed to practice medicine for two short years—got involved with South Wind abortion clinic with starry-eyed idealism about “helping women.” But now she’s learning what the real costs are of working in the abortion industry, and we have a real shot at getting her to quit. Moreover, this dynamic campaign—including office protests, media exposure, written appeals to nearby business owners and possible “copycat” protests of Chastine’s South Wind colleague in Arizona—is sending a clear message to other would-be abortionists to stay out of the business. Not only might this action force the closure of one of America’s most notorious abortion mills, it is already significantly frustrating the abortion industry, which is finding it harder every year to find doctors willing to use their medical training to kill babies. Enormous Crowd for 40th Annual March for Life by John Jansen Among those who attended the 40th March for Life in Washington, DC on January 25, one of the most commonly heard reactions was that it felt like the biggest one yet—and it probably was. Crowd estimates of the March for Life have numbered between 300,000 and 400,000 over the past few years, but this year estimates topped 500,000! Among them were a dozen Pro-Life Action League staff and volunteers, marching under the massive Stand Up for Religious Freedom banner that was displayed during the League’s June and October religious freedom rallies in Chicago, held in opposition to the Obama Administration’s HHS Mandate. Several of the “Rally Captains” from the other rallies the League organized across the country joined the League group. Also marching with the League was executive director Eric Scheidler’s son Nate, who had designed the PVC frame used to carry the big banner, along with fellow pro-life students from the University of Illinois. Despite some snow and colder weather than usual, the enthusiasm of the pro-life crowd at the March was higher than ever. Photo by Eric Scheidler The League’s religious freedom banner at the March for Life, Jan. 25 League Represented at March Events In addition to the March itself, the Pro-Life Action League was well represented at numerous other March-related events. On the day before the March, Eric Scheidler served as the emcee for the standing-room only March for Life Youth Rally at the Hyatt Hotel, featuring such speakers as Lila Rose, Abby Johnson, Bryan Kemper, and Fr. Frank Pavone. In his own remarks, Eric encouraged the teens and young adults to do two things when they re- turn home from the March: (1) find the abortion clinic closest to where they live; and (2) find local pro-lifers who are already active in prayer and sidewalk counseling outside this abortion clinic, and work with them. Each of the 800 attendees were also given a copy of the League’s Sharing the Pro-Life Message handbook, which Eric encouraged them to keep on hand at all times. While Eric was emceeing the Youth Rally, League co-founders Joe and Ann Scheidler were attending a Mass celebrated by Boston’s Sean Cardinal O’Malley at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land. On the morning of the March, Joe spoke to a packed youth rally at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, which was followed by a Mass offered by Chicago’s Francis Cardinal George. At the same time, I represented the League at a Tridentine Mass offered at St. Mary Mother of God Church in honor of March for Life foundress Nellie Gray, who died last year. After marching, praying, and sharing fellowship together with other pro-lifers, we returned home energized and eager to redouble our efforts in the fight against abortion. Spring 2013 Pro-Life Action News League Fights Planned Parenthood in All Weathers and on Every Front by John Jansen As the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood has always been high atop the list of Pro-Life Action League opponents. Over the past several months, this multi-pronged fight has been waged on the ground, online, and in the halls of government. tion signs. As he walked by, Eric called out, “David Axelrod—I thought Democrats were for the little guy. What about the little guy in the womb?” Axelrod just rolled his eyes and walked in. Despite the extreme cold, activists’ spirits were high, and the protest ran longer than originally planned as guests continued to arrive late. Nobody wanted to end the protest until every guest had seen the reality of abortion. League Confronts New PP Propaganda On January 9, Planned Parenthood held an adLeague Exposes “Abortion Incorporated” vance press briefing with a handful of carefully seFast forward to May 2 and another swanky lected pro-abortion journalists and bloggers about Planned Parenthood fundraiser, this one at Navy a novel strategy for talking about abortion. It was Pier in downtown Chicago. Once again we found left to the League’s Matt Yonke—who monitors ourselves facing less than ideal weather conditions: pro-abortion websites—to break the story in the driving wind gusts of up to 35 m.p.h. But the pro-life community the next day. League’s volunteers came through, with over 30 After polling Americans about how they feel turning out to protest Planned Parenthood’s “Genabout abortion and the terms “pro-life” and “prochoice,” Planned Parenthood realized they had a erations Gala.” Among them was a group from Springfield Right problem. Contrary to Planned Parenthood’s ideto Life that made the threeology of abortion without limhour drive to Chicago from its, most Americans believe Illinois’ capital city. Two other abortion should be restricted pro-lifers—one from Michigan, at least to some extent—but one from Connecticut—hap“choice” has come to be seen as pened to be visiting Chicago an absolutist position. and decided to join our protest. So Planned Parenthood is reAlong with graphic abortion treating from the decades-old signs, we also displayed handlanguage of “choice” in favor held signs reading “Planned of language that emphasizes Parenthood lies to you” and the “difficulty” of the abortion “Ahead: President of Abortion decision and fosters the kind of Inc,” the latter a reference to moral ambiguity that Planned Planned Parenthood CEO CeParenthood can hide behind. cile Richards, who was attendAs Matt reported, Planned ing the event. Other guests Parenthood CEO Cecile Richincluded Sandra Fluke, the ards was on hand for the JanuGeorgetown Law School stuary 9 briefing, as was executive Photo by Matt Yonke dent famous for demanding vice president Dawn Laguens, League protests Planned Parenthood January 23 gala with who went so far as to say that Obama advisor David Axelrod at Carnivale restautrant that her contraceptives be paid for by that Catholic institution, the word “choice” is no longer longtime League legal adversary Fay Clayton, and relevant to the abortion debate! The word spoke to Illinois’ stridently pro-abortion Attorney General, women who in earlier times had fewer choices, she Lisa Madigan. said, but fails to inspire today’s young women, who feel they have all the choices in the world. League Files Complaint Over Abortion Death This shift in strategy confirms what we’ve always In addition to fighting Planned Parenthood on known: that the word “choice” was never more the ground and online, the League is also battling than pro-abortion propaganda—a rhetorical trick Planned Parenthood through the law. On Februfor keeping the moral question about abortion ary 8, the Thomas More Society filed a formal adfrom being raised. But, as Matt declared in his stoministrative complaint on the League’s behalf with ry on the League’s website, our response remains the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation the same: to keep the focus unambiguously on the (IDPR), urging an investigation into the death of evil of abortion. In the end, that’s what cut through 24-year old Tonya Reaves after she had an aborthe “choice” propaganda, and that’s what will contion at Planned Parenthood’s Loop Health Center tinue to cut through to the truth. in Chicago on July 20, 2012. League Crashes Roe Anniversary Gala Reaves underwent a dilation and evacuation abortion at 11:00 a.m. that day. Following the abortion, True to form, two weeks later the League proshe experienced complications, but it wasn’t until tested Planned Parenthood’s gala fundraiser held the day after the 40th anniversary of the Supreme 4:30 p.m.—five and a half hours later—that she was brought to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Court’s Roe v. Wade decision. Despite temperatures During this time, Planned Parenthood never called in the teens, three dozen stalwart activists took 911 to get help for her. Moreover, no city ambuto the streets outside Chicago’s swanky Carnivale lance was summoned, and it remains unclear how restaurant to remind Planned Parenthood’s wellshe was transported to the hospital. heeled donors that abortion is nothing to celebrate. Seven hours later, Reaves was dead. The League’s Chicago Police initially tried to restrict our protest complaint makes clear that Planned Parenthood’s to the opposite side of the street from the restaunegligence amounts to a flagrant case of utterly unrant, but League Executive Director Eric Scheidler professional “patient abandonment.” However, the asserted our First Amendment rights by positionIDPR has yet to respond to this formal complaint. ing signholders directly in front of the restaurant, The challenges of confronting a foe like Planned where we had a legitimate right to be. After that, Parenthood are considerable, from their allies in the demonstration went uninterrupted. government and the media, to their massive war Although VIPs usually enter this type of event through a back door, guest of honor and former chest. But through diligence and faithfulness, the Obama advisor David Axelrod had to make his Pro-Life Action League continues to fight “Aborway inside through our gauntlet of graphic abortion, Incorporated” with everything we’ve got. 3 League Helps Scuttle New Fairfax Abortion Mega-Center Continued from page 1 opening a huge, centrally located abortion facility large enough to handle the business of a multi-city area. Fortunately, we at the Pro-Life Action League have a great deal of experience dealing with such a regional abortion facility, thanks to our ongoing battle with the first Planned Parenthood mega-center that opened in Aurora, Illinois in 2007. I told John about what happened in Aurora and the tools we used to fight Planned Parenthood— like a yard sign campaign, alerting the local media and community, rallying local clergy to speak out against the proposed abortuary and involvement in local government. Then I arranged a conference call with League Executive Director Eric Scheidler so the three of us could devise a strategy to uncover exactly what NOVA Women’s Health was up to and how to fight it. Abortuary Construction Halted! Central to the plan was opposing the facility at the Fairfax City Council. On May 14, that portion of the strategy was unfurled as over one hundred pro-lifers packed the city council meeting. The crowd was standing-room-only with many pro-life people signed up to address the council about NOVA’s planned move to the downtown area. As the public comment section of the meeting was about to begin, the portion of the meeting where the pro-lifers were scheduled to speak, there was a shocking announcement. The council chairman said that the construction of the new space for NOVA had been halted. Apparently NOVA had withdrawn their building permit applications. A cheer went up through the council chambers! Nevertheless, many of those who had signed up to speak went ahead with their remarks, informing the council of the harms coming to Fairfax if NOVA is allowed to build in their downtown area, and giving them a clear taste of the outrage of the community at this prospect. It was good that they did so, because it was soon discovered that NOVA holds a ten year lease on the space and would be applying to resume construction at a later date. NOVA had apparently withdrawn their applications because they were one parking space short—a providential error by the architect. However, the Planned Parenthood mega-center in Aurora had been short not one but several dozen parking spaces—a violation ignored by city planners in the months before the public knew the true identity of the builder. So it seems likely that the growing pro-life opposition to the NOVA expansion was already leading to greater scrutiny of their plans, causing a substantial delay that pro-life activists will be able to use to their advantage, increasing opposition to the center. Moreover, thanks to that packed city council meeting, the mayor of Fairfax has promised to inform the pro-life community of any developments in the case. At the time of this writing, NOVA has not resubmitted their building permits, but John Murray and the other local activists remain vigilant and ready to oppose them. For our part, we at the Pro-Life Action League are eager to help every way we can. Let the League Help YOUR Communituy Fairfax, Virginia, is just one of the many communities all over the country that have turned to the ProLife Action League for help when the abortion industry comes to town. If you hear of an abortion clinic coming to your town, or an existing clinic that might be moving or expanding, please call us at 773-7772900 or email [email protected] and we’ll work together to scuttle the abortionists’ plans. 4 Pro-Life Action News Spring 2013 New Techniques for Saving Lives Revealed at Chicago Sidewalk Counseling Seminar by Ann Scheidler On Saturday, May 20, the Pro-Life Action League held a sidewalk counseling seminar at St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Chicago for over 50 counselors and new recruits. “Bubble Zone” Troubles On account of the ongoing challenges over the enforcement of Chicago’s “bubble zone” ordinance, attorneys Tom Brejcha and Tom Olp of the Thomas More Society Pro-Life Law Center began the seminar by addressing the group about their First Amendment rights and what to be concerned about in the face of accusations and complaints from abortion clinic personnel and clinic escorts. Three Chicago abortion facilities (American Women’s Medical Center and two others operated by Family Planning Associates) use escorts provided by the Illinois Choice Action Team, while Planned Parenthood’s facility in the Gold Coast neighborhood uses its own escorts. In all of these cases, prolife counselors have encountered gross misinterpretations of the city’s bubble zone ordinance by both the Chicago police and abortion clinic personnel. The long-term solution is to file a lawsuit against the City of Chicago since we believe the ordinance violates the rights of pro-lifers to free speech and assembly. The attorneys are presently working on the complaint for such a suit. A picture is worth 10,000 words. Saving Babies by Text Kathy Bozyk, director of the South Side Pregnancy Center in south suburban Oak Lawn, explained a new technique her center has incorporated into their overall counseling program—namely, text counseling. Aware that many young people communicate via text far more than by phone, South Side has launched a text counseling program that provides a designated number that a young woman can text for information and help. In the context of sidewalk counseling, a special cell phone number for a specific counseling center can be given to the abortion-bound woman. Since texting is more private than a phone conversation, once she has that text number, she can contact the 12-22 pro-life center from anywhere—even the waiting room of the abortion clinic. The number puts her in immediate contact with a pro-life counselor whose primary focus is to make an appointment for her to speak directly with a counselor in the center. South Side has had considerable success with their text counseling program. “The sidewalk counselor is a witness to the dignity of the unborn baby and a beacon of hope to those women and men who are desperate for a solution to what seems to be an insurmountable problem.” Kathy had so impressed me with her center’s text program earlier this year, that I put her in touch with Mary Strom, director of the Woman’s Centers of Greater Chicagoland, a network of pregnancy care centers. Kathy and Mary organized a text counseling program for the Women’s Center, which has since been launched. Sidewalk counselors can hand a business card to the abortion clinic clients with the text number. They can also publish the number on signs outside the abortion clinic so that women who are undecided or confused can take advantage of the opportunity to explore other options. This is an exciting new tool in our outreach to women who arrive at the abortion clinic doors. Women’s Center Gets Mobile Ultrasound Another exciting development is the mobile ultrasound unit that will be unveiled by the Women’s Center in just a few months. A Sprinter van— roughly the size of a regular UPS delivery truck, will be outfitted with a reception area, ultrasound room and bathroom. The smaller mobile unit is easier to park in the city than the large recreational vehicles often used for this purpose. Not only can it be parked near abortion clinics without a pregnan- Tenth annual “Empty Manger” Christmas Caroling Day 02-09 Photo by Matt Yonke 03-21 Chilly “Face the Truth” Day in northweswt Indiana Photo by Matt Yonke Baby saved during 40 Days for Life kickoff in Aurora, IL cy center nearby, but it can also be used for education at schools, county fairs and other venues. Following the presentations on legal issues, text counseling and the mobile ultrasound, I presented a training session on sidewalk counseling—a refresher for the seasoned counselors and training for new recruits. This segment of the program also offered an opportunity for questions and for sharing concepts and ideas. Since we know statistically that at least half of the women coming to an abortion clinic have had a previous abortion and that many of their companions also have an abortion in their past, I stressed the importance of distributing post-abortion healing literature. Dealing with “Deathscorts” One of our challenges in the presence of the pro-abortion escorts (or “deathscorts”) is simply getting information into the hands of the pregnant women. I advised counselors to remind abortion clients that they have a right to the information we give them, and that the escorts and clinic personnel have no right to take it from them. I had recently acquired confidential materials provided to the clinic escorts, which I provided to our pro-life counselors to help them learn how to deal with them. I also recommended that our counselors wear orange vests similar to those worn by the clinic escorts. They believe the orange vests give them the look of authority, and we suspect that they tell their clients to follow the directions of the people in the vests. If pro-lifers also wear vests, we may stand a better chance of getting literature into the hands of the clinic clients and talking with those clients in an effort to turn them away from abortion. I reminded the counselors that their mission is specialized, and that they should keep their focus on saving babies and their mothers from abortion, and not to get caught up in arguments with clinic staff or escorts. In addition to giving women information on their options, the sidewalk counselor is a witness to the dignity of the unborn baby and a beacon of hope to those women and men who are desperate for a solution to what seems to be an insurmountable problem. 02-22 Screen capture of video by Chris Iverson 04-23 Eric speaks at the IFRL youth legislative day in Springfield, IL Photo by Steve Brody Triune Health Group donates furniture for League Aurora office Photo by Steve Klaske 05-11 Joe joins celebration of the closing of an abortuary in Livonia, MI Photo by Lynn Mills Spring 2013 Pro-Life Action News 5 GFL’s 2013 Talks Blessed by Repeat Invitations by John Jansen TeenSpeak 2013 Draws Largest Crowd Ever formation very helpful.” Cristina McCormack, a freshman “Amazing!” “Really inspirat Naperville Central High ing!” “I loved it!” School, commented, “I realThese comments sum up the ly liked listening to the teens reaction of the more than 150 from Christian Liberty Acadeteens and adults who attended my because they made me feel TeenSpeak 2013 on February 2 like [sidewalk counseling] was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in something I could do to be inRosemont, Illinois—the largest volved.” Other students likecrowd we’ve ever had at a Teenwise expressed a desire to try Speak conference! Photo by Matt Yonke sidewalk counseling. The day began with an enStudents work on their TeenSpeak graphic contest entry Following the session on gaging and enthusiastic presidewalk counseling, Pro-Life sentation titled “Designed to Create,” by Ryan Action League Executive Director Eric Scheidler Bomberger of The Radiance Foundation. Drawing from his experience as an Emmy-Award winning spoke about one of the key elements to dialoguing with people who call themselves “pro-choice”— creative professional, Ryan explained that in communicating the pro-life message through visual namely, listening. Eric pointed out that we can’t hope to change someone’s mind about abortion if media, certain principles of design must be folthey can see we’re not really listening to them. Eric lowed, or the message will not reach its intended audience. By way of example, Ryan showed sever- noted that this and several other pointers are explained in more detail in the League’s Sharing the al of his most impactful videos, including “We’ve Pro-Life Message handbook—which all attendees reBeen Guttmachered,” “Hell Breaks Loose,” “Meet Jonny Moses,” and, last but not least, “Unwanted,” ceived—and he encouraged everyone to keep their copy with them at all times. which highlights Ryan’s personal story of having been conceived in rape and placed for adoption in a Design Contest a Big Hit—As Usual large, multi-racial family. Following lunch, the League’s Matt Yonke revisThe audience thoroughly enjoyed Ryan’s presenited the design theme Ryan had discussed earlier in tation. High school student Therese Starasinich the day with a short PowerPoint tutorial on “How commented, “His talk got me more excited to take to design web graphics that persuade and delight.” on action spreading the truth,” and Patrick Lechner Matt’s talk served as a great jumping-off point for noted that Ryan’s talk “makes me want to use my TeenSpeak’s Pro-Life Graphic Design Workshop. job in the future for the pro-life movement.” We’ve conducted similar workshops at the last four Sidewalk Counseling and Teens TeenSpeak conferences, and they’ve received great Up next was Pro-Life Action League associate J.T. feedback over the years—just as this one did. Attendees were divided into 20 groups, and each Eschbach, who presented a talk entitled, “You Can group was given two design templates, a pencil, a Save Lives: Getting Started with Sidewalk Counseling,” an abbreviated version of the training seminar set of markers, and 40 minutes to create their own graphic. To ramp up the competition factor, the he frequently gives to adult groups. After J.T. shared his expertise as a veteran side- teams were told that the winning design would be walk counselor, three students from Christian Lib- made into an actual web graphic and shared to poerty Academy in Arlington Heights, Illinois—Julia tentially tens of thousands of Facebook users. Ryan himself graciously agreed to judge the entries, and Kott, Hannah Miller, and Megan Sullivan—spoke about some of their own experiences sidewalk two groups that came up with strikingly similar counseling regularly over the past year at the Fami- designs shared First Place honors. High school student Angela DeJesus summed ly Planning Associates abortion clinic in downtown up the reaction of many others when she said that Chicago and at Planned Parenthood’s flagship TeenSpeak “made me think about choosing to be “mega-center” in Aurora. pro-life and that you have to do something, not High school student Sara Groppe said that this just talk and listen about it.” We were thrilled that session “gave a lot of useful pointers and helped so many teens have given us thoroughly positive me realize that sidewalk counseling isn’t so scary.” Monica Tragasz added, “As someone who has been feedback and have said they’re really looking forshadowing a sidewalk counselor, I found this in- ward to next year’s conference—as we are, too! by John Jansen The early months of 2013 have brought with them many opportunities to share the pro-life and chastity message with teens and to broaden the scope of Generations for Life’s youth outreach efforts—including many invitations to speak to groups I’ve addressed before. On January 9, I was happy to receive a copy in the mail of Affirming Life, the newest resource for youth ministers published by the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry. GFL is a collaborating member of the Federation, and following last year’s annual meeting, I was asked to write the catechetical session on the topic of abortion that would be included in the book. This was my first opportunity to see the finished product, and I am honored to have contributed to it. Later that week, I gave my “Making the Case for Life” talk to a group of eighth graders preparing for Confirmation at St. Joseph Church in Lockport, Illinois. I had spoken to the eighth graders at the parish the previous year, and was happy to be invited back. On January 27, I gave the same talk to a group of high school sophomores preparing for Confirmation at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naperville, Illinois, at the invitation of parish director of religious education Sheila Stevenson. Both talks were very well received by students and parents alike. Photo by Cathy Swanson John speaks at St Michael Church in Wheaton, IL, February 6 Pro-Life at Proviso, 9 Straight Years On February 6, I spoke on chastity to a very receptive group of seventh grade CCD students at St. Michael Parish in Wheaton, Illinois. Following my presentation I had a delightful conversation with some of the volunteer catechists. Later that month, on February 25, I gave my “Pro-Life 101” talk to the Human Development classes at Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois for the ninth year in a row. Many students offered positive comments on the evaluation forms I distributed afterwards. On April 14, I was invited for the fourth consecutive year to give a chastity presentation to the sophomores preparing for Confirmation at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lake Zurich, Illinois. On May 10 I gave a chastity talk to the teens from the St. Scholastica homeschooling group, filling in for another speaker on short notice. The talk, held at a park in Johnsburg, Illinois, marked the first time I had ever given a talk outdoors—and in front of a roaring fire, no less, which was particularly nice on a chilly evening. My talk was very well received, and the Q & A session afterward lasted nearly as long as my formal presentation. Please keep the work of Generations for Life in your prayers as we continue to receive such great opportunities to share the pro-life message and raise up a new generation of pro-life leaders. 6 Pro-Life Action News Joe & Ann Scheidler spend a weekend of Pro-life activities in Naples, Florida Spring 2013 Powerful Speakers Deliver at SpeakOut Illinois Conference by Joe Scheidler On April 4th, Ann and I arrived in Naples, Florida for a weekend of pro-life activities. First, we attended a reception hosted by the Naples Pro-Life Council featuring Monica Miller speaking on her new book, Abandoned. Monica gave a great talk, emphasizing the helplessness of the unborn baby slated for abortion and the importance of making every effort to rescue those children. Sidewalk Counseling Seminar The day after the Naples Pro-Life reception, Ann gave a sidewalk counseling seminar organized by Ed Melone. Following the seminar we visited The Rose Garden, a resale shop whose proceeds support a local crisis pregnancy center. Naples is home to many Chicago area pro-lifers who have either relocated to Florida or who spend some of the winter in Naples’ hospitable climate. Among the winter residents in the beautiful gulf coast town is my longtime friend Jim Finnegan, who thought our visit would be a great occasion to organize a picket of two local abortionists’ homes. Being a supporter and innovator of hard-hitting approaches to activism, I jumped at the chance. Photo courtesy of Naples Pro-Life Council Joe Scheidler (left) with longtime friend and stalwart activist Jim Finnegan protesting abortionist Philip Waterman in Naples, FL, April 7 Picketing Abortionists at Home Though it’s a controversial tactic, picketing abortionists’ homes has frequently driven abortion workers out of the industry for good. It’s even a chapter in my activism manual, CLOSED: 99 Ways to Stop Abortion. In fact, after a group of Naples pro-life activists carried out a picket outside abortionist Wallace McClaine’s home some years ago, he decided to pull up stakes and quit the business! So with prayers for conversion in our hearts, on April 7—Divine Mercy Sunday—I joined a group of stalwart activists, including some students from nearby Ave Maria University, to picket the homes of abortionists Philip Waterman from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and Fernando Betancourt from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Carrying signs calling for the doctors’ repentance as well as pictures of the victims of abortion, we confronted the doctors with the results of their work and alerted the neighborhoods to the kind of men who are living in their midst. All in all, the trip was a success. Thanks to the Naples Pro-Life Council and all who attended for making this weekend of dynamic pro-life activism a reality! SpeakOut Illinois 2013 speakers (from left) Eric Scheidler, Ryan Bomberger and Star Parker by Paige Scarlett A crowd of over 400 pro-lifers converged on the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont on February 2 for the 22nd annual SpeakOut Illinois Conference. The Pro-Life Action League’s own Ann Scheidler and former League staffer Tommie Romano served as the co-chairmen of the conference planning committee, which comprises volunteers from over 30 pro-life organizations around the state. Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society served as master of ceremonies for the day. Eric Scheidler: Pro-Life Top Ten Following the showing of a trailer for the upcoming pro-life film 40, Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric Scheidler gave the conference’s opening presentation. “Did you wake up a little depressed and let down on November 7 last year?” he asked the SpeakOut crowd, acknowledging the sense of defeat felt by pro-lifers after last year’s re-election of President Barack Obama. Eric noted that right now, many people feel as if all the work the pro-life movement has been doing for 40 years has been in vain. However, Eric urged his audience to take heart by highlighting the “Top Ten Accomplishments of the Pro-Life Movement” since Roe v. Wade. These include keeping abortion a hot topic in the news, shutting down hundreds of dangerous abortion clinics, enacting hundreds of life-saving pro-life laws at every level of government, establishing pregnancy centers to give abortion-vulnerable women the help they need to choose life, and— above all—saving the lives of countless unborn babies through street-level activism. Eric also reminded the crowd that our pro-life work has profound spiritual value, beyond the formidable results we can see, and that now is no time for despair. On the contrary, this is the time to confidently redouble our pro-life work on every front. Ryan Bomberger: Black Genocide Eric was followed by Ryan Bomberger of The Radiance Foundation, who gave a presentation entitled “Fatherhood in the Culture of Abortion.” Conceived in rape and adopted into a multi-racial Christian family with twelve other children, Ryan now devotes his considerable talents in graphic design to fighting abortion, and has become a rising star in the pro-life movement. Ryan’s multi-media presentation, which included many reflections on his own experience as a bi-racial man, was tremendously well received. He shared the story of launching a major billboard campaign in Georgia featuring a picture of an African-American baby with the caption “Endangered Species,” causing outrage among some black leaders. Ryan’s provocative videos and ads highlighting the disproportionate abortion rate among black Americans have even drawn the ire of the NAACP, Photos by Matt Yonke (left and center) and Eric Scheidler (right) which he calls the “National Association for the Abortion of Colored People” over the group’s outspoken support of legal abortion. The NAACP is now trying to silence Ryan with a lawsuit alleging defamation and copyright violation, but Ryan is not about to stop telling the truth about how abortion is destroying the black community. Star Parker: Gutsy Pro-Life Leader On behalf of the SpeakOut Illinois Committee, Drs. Hiram and Joronda Crawford of the Pro-Life/ Pro-Family Coalition presented the 2013 Henry Hyde Life Leadership Award to Star Parker for her dedication to defending life, preserving the family and renewing our inner cities. Star was humbled to receive this award and offered a passionate and at times humorous glimpse into some of the more dramatic events in her own life. Star shared her experience of seven years of welfare dependency, including a series of failed relationships and the desolation of undergoing four abortions. She discussed how the welfare system drives women to abortion and tears families apart, but how through faith in Jesus Christ she finally rose out of her condition of dependency on government into a newfound dependency on God alone. Star went on to become a successful businesswoman, a radio personality, and eventually the founder of CURE—the Center for Urban Renewal and Education. The conference closed with a moving candlelight memorial led by Fr. Francis “Rocky” Hoffman, executive director of Relevant Radio, for the 55 million unborn babies killed by abortion since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions in 1973. Publisher: Editor: Assistant Editor: Contributors: Joseph M. Scheidler Eric J. Scheidler John Jansen John Jansen Paige Scarlett Ann Scheidler Eric J. Scheidler Joseph M. Scheidler Matt Yonke We welcome Letters to the Editor and submissions from contributing writers. For comments, submissions or subscription information: Pro-Life Action League 6160 N. Cicero Ave. Ste. 600 Chicago, IL 60646 Tel: 773-777-2900 Fax: 773-777-3061 Newsline: 772-777-2900 Email: [email protected] Website: ProLifeAction.org Facebook: Facebook.com/ProLifeAction Twitter: Twitter.com/ProLifeAction Spring 2013 Pro-Life Action News 7 May They Rest in Peace: Mike Schwartz, Eric Bower & Tom Bresler by Joe Scheidler Three pro-life greats who were all good friends of the Pro-Life Action League have died in recent months. Mike Schwartz: An Activist’s Activist Pro-life pioneer and political strategist Mike Schwartz succumbed to Lou Gehrig’s disease on February 3. I knew Mike in the 1970s when he was working in Milwaukee with the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. His boss at the time was Father Virgil Blum, who was also a close friend of mine. Mike and I spent time together working for the pro-life cause during his stay there, and I learned first-hand that he was a dedicated, loyal, and faithful Catholic as well as a fierce but gentle pro-life activist. I liked to call Mike “an activist’s activist.” When he moved to Washington I saw him occasionally at meetings and rallies. But despite the fact that he went into politics, he never left his pro-life work. Mike had the distinction of having held a sitin at a hospital in Washington, DC in 1970—three years before the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton rulings. I believe he saw them coming. Mike had carefully thought-out plans for winning the war for the rights of the unborn, as well as the war for religious freedom. He was a truly good and holy man, and I feel that a great, warm light has been turned off. We will miss that light, and that gentle way he had of telling you he had a plan. Eric Bower: Always a Fighter A few days later, on February 6, my old friend Eric Bower died following a long battle with leukemia. He fought the culture of death the same way he fought his illness—without complaint but with all his strength of will. Eric and I had been working together in the prolife movement since the late 1970s. He would come to nearly every pro-life picket, and he had a special League Warmly Welcomes New Pro-Life Pope Francis When Buenos Aires archbishop Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected by the College of Cardinals, the Pro-Life Action League was delighted to learn that the new Pope Francis is an outspoken advocate for unborn children and a strong supporter of pro-life activism. We were particularly impressed by what then-Cardinal Bergoglio had said in a 2005 speech: “Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you. No child should be deprived of the right to be born, the right to be fed, the right to go to school.” Not only does this statement betray a tender sympathy for the lives of children both born and unborn, but it shows a keen awareness of the great challenges faced by pro-life activists. The Pro-Life Action League warmly welcomes such an advocate to the Throne of Peter. May God grant him many years! affinity for protesting pro-abortion politicians. He seemed shy and soft-spoken when you first met him, but on the front lines, he was outspoken. Eric knew suffering early in his married life when he and his wife Diane lost a baby girl to SIDS. After her death, Eric and Diane became devoted leaders in the effort to save babies from this malady. Eric Bower at a pro-life protest in 1990 Photo from League Archives Last fall, when Eric was in the hospital preparing for a round of chemo, he invited eight fellow Knights of Columbus to his hospital room. We talked and laughed a lot, then prayed over Eric for a quick recovery. Then he sent us to an elegant club for dinner and entertainment, just out of the kindness of his heart. That’s the kind of man Eric was: he wanted others to be happy, safe, and well. He wanted everyone to share the peace and joy he always seemed to have himself. I always think of Eric with a big pro-life sign and an enormous smile. He was the best. Tom Bresler: From Coffee Salesman to CPC Founder A few months later, my longtime friend Tom Bresler, founder of Chicago’s Aid for Women crisis pregnancy center, died on April 27. My introduc- tion to Tom came when I worked for Illinois Right to Life in the late 1970s, and he paid a visit to our office in the course of his work as a coffee salesman. One day while I was on a long phone conversation, Tom sat in the reception area and heard my assistant Laura Canning talk a pregnant woman out of abortion over the phone. Tom was dumbfounded. When he came into my office, he forgot all about his coffee sales pitch and instead exclaimed, “I just witnessed a life being saved.” I told him that’s what we do—and he and I became immediate friends. Thus began the pro-life mission of Tom Bresler. He sold the coffee business and opened the first Aid for Women pregnancy center in Deerfield, Illinois, followed by a center on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. Michigan Avenue Women’s Center—an abortion clinic—was located just down the street from Aid for Women. One day in the spring of 1987, Tom got a call from the clinic’s marketing director. He told Tom that the staff disposed of aborted babies by packing the remains in boxes that were then discarded into the trash containers in the alley behind the clinic. This knowledge led to several weeks of retrieving aborted babies’ remains from the alley behind the abortion clinic by a crack team of pro-life activists working with the League. We then had these babies buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois. The fact that Tom Bresler was there, just a few doors from the abortion clinic when someone finally got uncomfortable with what was going on there, was crucial to the discovery and memorializing of these precious unborn children. Tom’s wife of more than 70 years, Heather, died on May 2, as his wake was underway. So he and Heather continue to be together, even after death did them part. “Blessed Are They Who Mourn”: League Marks 40th Roe Anniversary with Graveside Memorials by Eric Scheidler To mark the 40th anniversary of the infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton Supreme Court rulings that stripped unborn children throughout the United States of their legal right to life, the Pro-Life Action League launched a nationwide prayer vigil under the theme “Blessed are they who mourn.” Activists across the country were invited to visit memorials dedicated to the unborn victims of abortion—especially gravesites where these victims are actually buried—on January 22 and offer prayers of mourning for the over 55 million children legally killed since that date in 1973. My mother Ann composed a special prayer for the event, which was made available on a page dedicated to the project on the League website. The project began in December with a call to pro-lifers all over the country to let me know about memorials dedicated to the aborted unborn. Response was overwhelming, and I soon had hundreds of sites listed online, including dozens of actual burial places. The event was inspired in part by the reflections on the beatitudes in Pope Benedict XVI’s book Jesus of Nazareth, which presents mourning as a powerful way to confront the evil of death and deny its ultimate power. When we mourn for the victims of abortion—when we open our hearts to deeply feeling the pain of their loss—we acknowledge that their lives really mattered. We strike a blow at the Photo by Eric Scheidler League memorial at the grave of abortion victims in Hillside, IL, Jan. 22 Enemy, who wants our entire society to forget all about these silent, hidden victims, boldly declaring that we will never forget them. National Day of Remembrance 9/14 Response to this project was so overwhelming that I was inspired to collaborate with two of my closest pro-life allies—Monica Miller of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life—to hold an even bigger event. The National Day of Remembrance for Abortion Victims will take place on September 14—the anniversary of an historic burial of fetal remains in Milwaukee—with simultaneous memorial services at every known gravesite of the aborted unborn. You can learn more at AbortionMemorials.com. 8 Pro-Life Action News Spring 2013 Aurora Pro-Life Battle Heats Up on Good Friday Police Threaten Sidewalk Counselors by Matt Yonke In the summer of 2007, Aurora, Illinois, became “Ground Zero” in the abortion battle as Pro-Life Action League rallied the local pro-life community to stop Planned Parenthood from opening what was at the time the nation’s largest abortion facility. The facility was constructed under the auspices of a front company and Planned Parenthood created a cloud of deception to keep the city government and the community in the dark about their plans. During the ensuing controversy, the local prolife movement exploded into an unprecedented force opposing the new facility. Though it did finally open, opposing Planned Parenthood’s flagship Aurora center has remained a top priority for the League. In conjunction with community churches—including recruitment talks by League Executive Director Eric Scheidler, most recently at St. Mary Church in Plano and Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Naperville—the League has kept consistent prayer, protest and counseling presence there. This ongoing effort has generally been peaceful, with both the police and nearby community respecting pro-lifers’ rights. However, two recent incidents stand apart from that general trend. Planned Parenthood Client Swerves at Pro-Life Teen On February 16, a group of students from Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, Illinois, were praying and counseling along the roadway beside Planned Parenthood when a car that had just exited the parking lot swerved at a student named Hannah, coming within inches of striking her. Hannah had been trying to offer the occupants a piece of literature on post-abortion healing. Aurora police were called and said the driver would be charged with reckless driving, but then the Illinois State’s Attorney’s office took the case over, upping the charges to aggravated assault. Weeks later, the Chicago Sun-Times suddenly took an interest in this story, publishing articles claiming that the Aurora police and Illinois States Attorney are in conflict over whether any violation really occurred, pointing to an inconclusive video from Planned Parenthood’s surveillance camera. We suspect Planned Parenthood planted the story in an attempt to short-circuit the bad press of having a client found guilty of threatening a pro-life activist. However, Hannah and six other eyewitnesses are ready to testify that the swerve was an intentional attempt to intimidate her and the other pro-lifers. Hannah and her family have bravely stood up under the pressure of this difficult situation, and the next hearing in the case is coming up in July. Confusion on Good Friday Our generally positive relationship with the Aurora police was sorely tested during Holy Week. On Holy Tuesday, I was informed by one of our sidewalk counselors that “No Trespassing” signs had just been installed in the vacant lot across from Planned Parenthood where pro-lifers have been praying and counseling without incident for over five years. Trying to get to the bottom of this development, I called the police commander with whom I meet quarterly under the terms of a 2010 Settlement Agreement the League had reached with the City of Aurora under federal court supervision. He told me that representatives from Safeway Corporation, which owns the vacant lot, had accompanied Planned Parenthood to a recent meeting with the police to see about enforcing their private property rights over the vacant lot. He hadn’t known that the “No Trespassing” signs had already been posted. Photo by Matt Yonke Record crowd for the Good Friday Way of the Cross in Aurora, IL, March 29 The timing couldn’t have been worse. One of our largest annual events—the annual Good Friday “Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion”—was set to take place in just a few days. For five years, this walking prayer service had typically taken place both in the public right-of-way and on the vacant lot, without any complaint from Safeway. This year, we had no idea what to expect. We arrived for the Good Friday event to find no fewer than six squad cars on site, as well as representatives of the various property owners of the shopping mall, including both Safeway and Planned Parenthood. Trouble seemed likely. However, League Executive Director Eric Scheidler and I had already reorganized this year’s Way of the Cross to keep it entirely in the public right-of-way, eager to avoid an open conflict that might disrupt our daily sidewalk counseling effort. We also asked Thomas More Society attorney Peter Breen to be on hand. Peter talked with the police and other officials, urging them to respect the status quo which for years had worked so well. During the prayer service, the police made no effort to interrupt participants as they instinctively walked across the vacant lot going to and from the prayer service, and they ignored the sidewalk counselors on the roadway across from Planned Parenthood, which is technically Safeway’s property. But then only minutes after Eric, Peter and I left, police officers approached the sidewalk counselors and threatened them with arrest if they did not leave Safeway’s property immediately. Several similar threats were made in the subsequent weeks. The following days were a difficult search for the facts of the matter. Did Dominick’s have the right to kick us off their property? Could the police arrest pro-lifers for such an offense? What would we do if we couldn’t pray and counsel across from Planned Parenthood’s parking lot anymore? It took six weeks of constant phone calls to police and city attorneys before they finally admitted Safeway does not have the right to eject pro-lifers from the roadway that runs between their vacant lot and Planned Parenthood. To do so would require the agreement of all the other property owners in the complex that share the roadway, and no such agreement currently exists. The police also admitted that under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, they should never have threatened pro-lifers with arrest for trespassing. After weeks of uncertainty—in which many good people stayed home from the clinic for fear of arrest or just confusion about the rules—the status quo has been restored and the routine of prayer, counseling and protest has continued without incident. League Remains Vigilant Photo by Matt Yonke Christian Liberty Academy students pray at Planned Parenthood in Aurora There’s no doubt that Planned Parenthood is still scheming to eliminate our pro-life presence outside their building. Whatever pressure they brought to bear on Safeway to put up those “No Trespassing” signs they’re sure to keep exerting on Safeway and the other property owners at the shopping mall. Meanwhile, the League will continue to appeal to these third parties to stay out of the conflict and leave our pro-life mission alone. We’ll remain vigilant, confident that if Planned Parenthood will go to such lengths to stop us, we must be doing something right. League’s Good Friday Way of the Cross Goes National by Eric Scheidler al and media materials, an ecumenical prayer booklet and even Even as the Pro-Life Action instructions for creating a set of League was getting under way outdoor Stations of the Cross. with this year’s Good Friday Along with my assistant Matt, “Way of the Cross for Victims I created a one-minute “Way of of Abortion” in Aurora, Illinois, the Cross” promotional video to under the watchful eyes of the show exactly what such an event police (see story on this page), looks like and explain its ratioactivists in cities all over the nale. In a voice-over on the vidcountry were joining this annual eo, I linked the unjust execution event for the first time. of Jesus Christ at Golgotha with In March, I invited all of the the unjust homicide of unborn “Rally Captains” recruited for babies at each abortion clinlast year’s Stand Up for Religious Photo by Lee Strong Freedom rallies, held at hundreds Pro-lifers in Rochester, NY, were among those nationwide ic in the country, and called on of sites across the country, to host holding Good Friday events at the League’s invitation pro-life Americans to go to the “Golgotha” in their own neighGood Friday prayer services at borhoods to pray on Good Friday. their local abortion clinics. I knew this group of local Response was outstanding. Photos and videos leaders to be both deeply dedicated to the pro-life poured into my inbox from groups all over the councause and eager for guidance from the League. try that took part. I’m gratified that so many local Building on the training program employed for pro-life leaders are eager to follow the lead of the the rallies last year, I provided a detailed guide on Pro-Life Action League. organizing a Good Friday event, sample promotion-