Over 150 local pro-lifers in the Everett area have committed to not only praying, but being physically present on the front lines—the public sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood--at various times throughout the round the clock schedule. Their willingness to sacrifice their time and to risk ridicule by providing a physical presence there is making a major impact on women entering that clinic and the decisions they are facing, and the innocent lives that are scheduled for destruction. As well, an impact on the business of Planned Parenthood.
We know this is so, because Planned Parenthood saw fit to respond by investing in the printing of a propaganda piece filled with false accusations about what our campaign is about and how our participants are conducting themselves.
They accuse of us of handing out misleading information, carrying disturbing signs, blocking access to their clinics, and harassing their patients and staff.
Not one of these accusations is true.
The information we hand out includes a list of places for a pregnant woman to get help, a list of ways that the agencies we recommend can help the woman and her baby, scientifically accurate milestones in fetal development and a list of the physical and emotional consequences of going through with an abortion.
The signs we carry all contain loving messages like: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”—God, “Women Deserve Better than Abortion”, “Pray to End Abortion”, “Jesus Forgives,” and “Let the Baby Live.”
We have never blocked access to their clinic, and have obeyed all laws. The Everett Police Department will tell you that there have been no problems in the 20 days we’ve been there. Planned Parenthood would have reported it to them if there were any violations of the law on our part. The building is under constant video surveillance.
Most of our vigil participants simply stand on the sidewalk and pray. Some, but not all, hold a sign. A handful of us engage in sidewalk counseling. It is always peaceful on our part, and most of the women on their way into the clinic respond positively to our message. Most of them thank us for the information we give them or politely turn us down, and we respect their space and continue praying for them. We offer one last time on their way out. Many respond more to us after they’ve been inside.
So, why the propaganda piece, and the desperate plea for help from the outside? There are two claims their orange flier got partially right.
They accuse of us of handing out misleading information, carrying disturbing signs, blocking access to their clinics, and harassing their patients and staff.
Not one of these accusations is true.
The information we hand out includes a list of places for a pregnant woman to get help, a list of ways that the agencies we recommend can help the woman and her baby, scientifically accurate milestones in fetal development and a list of the physical and emotional consequences of going through with an abortion.
The signs we carry all contain loving messages like: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”—God, “Women Deserve Better than Abortion”, “Pray to End Abortion”, “Jesus Forgives,” and “Let the Baby Live.”
We have never blocked access to their clinic, and have obeyed all laws. The Everett Police Department will tell you that there have been no problems in the 20 days we’ve been there. Planned Parenthood would have reported it to them if there were any violations of the law on our part. The building is under constant video surveillance.
Most of our vigil participants simply stand on the sidewalk and pray. Some, but not all, hold a sign. A handful of us engage in sidewalk counseling. It is always peaceful on our part, and most of the women on their way into the clinic respond positively to our message. Most of them thank us for the information we give them or politely turn us down, and we respect their space and continue praying for them. We offer one last time on their way out. Many respond more to us after they’ve been inside.
So, why the propaganda piece, and the desperate plea for help from the outside? There are two claims their orange flier got partially right.
Claim One: They said of us, “They want to close our doors!” The fact is, we do want their doors to close permanently, but we will not be doing the closing. That is up to God and we know he will cause that to happen; it’s just a matter of time.
Claim Two: They said, “We are under siege at our Everett location.” This is true, but not in the way they imply. They imply “under siege” by physical force, but the fact is that this is a spiritual siege. Our weapons are prayer, fasting, compassion, wisdom, truthfulness and a smile.
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