Abortion Foes Tell of Their Journey to the Streets:
Action means many things to abortion opponents. Lobbyists and fund-raisers fight for the cause in marble hallways; volunteers at crisis pregnancy centers try to dissuade the pregnant on cozy sofas. Then there are the protesters like James Pouillon, who was shot dead here last month while holding an anti-abortion sign outside a high school. A martyr to some, an irritant to others, Mr. Pouillon in death has become a blessing of sorts for the loosely acquainted activists who knew him as a friend: proof that abortion doctors are not the only ones under duress, proof that protests matter, and a spark for more action.
“Jim suffered the persecution for us,” said Dan Brewer, who recalls swearing at Mr. Pouillon during one of his one-man protests in the ’90s, only to join him later after becoming a born-again Christian. “Now we just have to go out and do it.” A national tribute is already planned. Anti-abortion groups are calling on protesters to stand outside schools with signs that depict abortion on Nov. 24 in 40 to 50 cities nationwide.
Some who plan to take part, like Chet Gallagher, a former Las Vegas police officer, have been answering such calls for decades; he first got involved in the ’80s, when every month seemed to bring a new “rescue,” another chance to lock arms with fellow Christians and block access to an abortion clinic.
Others have arrived at the cause after experiencing personal traumas — in the case of Deborah Anderson, an abusive childhood and then an unwanted pregnancy — while still more fell into it through personal connections.
Together, these street activists make up an assertive minority of a few thousand people within the larger anti-abortion movement. Neither the best financed nor largest element in the mix, they are nonetheless the only face of anti-abortion that many Americans see. Indeed, persistent provocation is their defining attribute: day after day on street corners from California to Massachusetts, they stand like town criers, calling to women walking into abortion clinics, or waving graphic signs as disturbing as they are impossible to ignore.
Their ranks are more infused with emotion — they would say commitment — than top-down discipline.
Ziad Munson, a sociologist at Lehigh University who has interviewed hundreds of abortion opponents, said street protesters rarely moved into other areas of the movement and tended to work alone or in smaller groups. Even in cases when they form large and influential organizations, it is sometimes difficult to get beyond the culture of passionate dispute.
To critics, like Nancy Keenan, president of Naral Pro-Choice America, these protesters look like bullies bent on harassment. Among those who share their views but not their tactics, street activists have been marginalized as attention hogs who prefer to attract outrage rather than inspiring compassion.
In the case of Mr. Pouillon, that outrage may have led to death. The police said the man charged in the killing, Harlan J. Drake, a local truck driver, was bothered by the signs Mr. Pouillon showed children as they came to school. The day he was shot, Mr. Pouillon was showing a mangled fetus, part of an almost daily effort to put abortion into the minds of his neighbors. “It’s all about the eyes,” he used to say to fellow demonstrators. “It’s all about the eyes.”
But as the personal stories of Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Brewer and Ms. Anderson suggest, the motivations of many protesters are more complicated. They see themselves as righteous curbside critics, prophets warning the world with what they describe as the horrific truth no one wants to see. They have endured insults, threats and even estrangement from their families because they have found what nearly every activist craves: conviction, camaraderie and conflict.
The Police Officer: From Civil Law to Biblical
Chet Gallagher did not plan to join the blockade at the abortion clinic in Atlanta when he traveled there 21 years ago. But when he saw the passion of so many Christians outside the clinic, he said, he could not resist: he ended up in jail for 11 days, with James Pouillon and 700 others.
CONTINUED
The NYT has actually printed pictures of abortion victims. Here are the pictures below. Forewarning: They are graphic.
Here is more Jill Stanek's website
THIS HOLOCAUST BEING COMMITTED AGAINST UNBORN BABIES MUST BE STOPPED!!!!!
17 comments:
Wow! I am highly impressed. Thank you for sharing this article. I was unable to view the pics (because my computer is acting like a liberal!-LOL) but I will check out the website tomorrow when I get home from work.
Anyway, great post and thanks again for sharing.
I don't know what to say, "The Gray Lady" being fair in their treatment of pro-life people. What's the world coming to. Will they investigate ACORN or some of the other Obama front organizations?
United Conservatives of America,
The NYT really surprised me. I love to share anything that promotes the pro-life movement. I hope you can de-program your computer from the lib propaganda. Have a great night!
LL,
Well, you know the NY Times is learning how to be a legitimate source of news again. Babysteps for now. Maybe later they'll grow up and investigate ACORN?
O/T, Teresa but having read your comment over at my plave I thought you might enjoy this particular comments encounter from last night at GOT's! Actually, I know you'll enjoy it!
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4229057500348631201&postID=3726129932428172179&isPopup=true
"Place", even!
I'm sure the writer of the non-pro baby killing piece article at the New York Crimes is now sweeping floors and cleaning bathrooms.
I also just wanted to say he and see how you have been, I am busy learning photoshop. DrDAve is sending me the actual full version (older) for free. Aren't Pro Liberty bloggers awesome!!!!
Barking Spider,
Thanks for the link to comments. I always enjoy British jargin. I'll take a look soon.
Andrew 33,
Thanks for stopping by and saying hi. How are you doing? That's great that Dr. Dave sending you photoshop. I have something similar called Gimp. I'm trying to put a pic together for my next post. I'll see you over at KOOK's soon! Pro-Liberty bloggers are the best!!! :)
I couldn't see the photos on your website either, but they are viewable at the link you provided ...
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2009/10/breaking_news_n_4.html
I support the pro-life movement 100%. However, "blockades" or other protest actions that lead to arrests do not help the effort.
I never read the times but it is interesting that they print such a article---is there something in the timing of such a piece. Those images are too grapic for me to view for long. They do drive home a point however.
Excellent post, kiddo. I also am surprised that it appeared in the NYT, but I continue to expect such excellent information from your blog.
Bats Right, Throws Right,
Maybe blogger blocked the pictures. Oh well, at least you could see them on the actual website.
I would say first follow the law to try and get results. Then, if that doesn't work sometimes laws are meant to be broken, in order to take a stand.
Ron,
Rush has always stated that viewing the pictures is what converts people to the pro-life movement, and I agree. I know, they are gruesome pictures of the unfortunate reality.
Nickie,
Its my pleasure to pass on such excellent information. Taught to me by fellow blogging pros.
Great blog as for me. It would be great to read something more concerning that theme. Thnx for posting this information.
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123 123,
Thank You for stopping by and commenting. This was a great, respectful article sharing the pro-life side, or point of view.
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