Baby saved at March 21 protest
Posted by Matt Yonke on Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
With spring in the air, over 130 protesters lined New York Street on March 21 with signs reading Stop Abortion Now, Moms for Life, Planned Parenthood LIES to You and more—the largest protest at Planned Parenthood so far this year.
Before the start of the protest, a baby was saved from abortion by sidewalk counselor Wanda Geist.
The mother and father went in and out of Planned Parenthood several times, talking to the counselors inside and our sidewalk counselors outside. In the end, they decided that the pro-life message made more sense and that they wanted to keep their baby.
Police Presence Returns
The Aurora Police have not monitored our rallies for several months now. We were surprised this month when we saw no less than four police cars watching the protest from several different vantage points.
It had seemed the Aurora police had learned that our protests are peaceful and prayerful above all.
As it turns out they indeed have. Their concern was a pro-abortion woman who had been harassing the city's legal department all week saying she was going to come counter-protest us with inflammatory signs accusing us of being "Christian Nazis," among other things.
The police were there to make sure she didn't get out of hand. But, as is so often the case, in the end she didn't show up at all.
Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin Joins the Protest
Since they had all commented with some negativity about Planned Parenthood and the abortion issue at the recent mayoral debate, Eric Scheidler had invited all three Aurora Mayoral candidates to come to the protest and talk to Aurora's pro-life community about their position on this important issue.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner gave no reply. Alderman Stephanie Kifowit wrote back to say she couldn't make it. Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin took up the invitation and joined pro-lifers on the sidewalk for a good portion of the protest.
Aurora 4th Ward Alderman Rick Lawrence, who is running for re-election, and Naperville Township Supervisor candidate Gary Vician also attended the protest.
Disclaimer: Information reported herein about the attendance at a Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood event by candidates for political office does not constitute and endorsement of said candidates.
A Blessing from Father Bellrose
At this month's protest we were also graced with the presence of Father Bill Bellrose, a priest and pro-life activist with Human Life International (HLI).
Father Bill travels the world with HLI spreading the gospel of life. Just this year he's been to Nigeria, Romania and many other destinations here in the U.S.
At the close of the protest, after some remarks by Eric, Father Bill was kind enough to lead us in a closing prayer and impart his blessing on us.
See below for a video excerpt of Eric's closing remarks at the Saturday protest:
Awesome..A baby saved..and the parents too!
March 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Thank God and thanks to all the pro-lifers for showing your commitment to standing for the life of innocent, unborn babies. We're here for LIFE. PP lies to you. Thanks to Mr. Irvin for taking a stand for life.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I’m neither pro-life nor pro-choice, but I’m definitely anti pro-life protesters. I’m glad that I check this site periodically so I know not to vote for Irving.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
ditto that
March 26th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
to Tom & Jeff,
You're "glad" when you DO NOT VOTE for someone.
In curiosity, what will you be when you DO VOTE for someone?
March 26th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Tom & Jeff,
I say vote for Irvin to open up the possibility of closing down PP. I guarantee that if PP closes down, the pro-life protesters will go away. If not, they are in for the long haul. So, your vote only hurts your cause.
God Bless,
Roger
March 27th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Great point Roger!!!!!
March 27th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Tom & Jeff,
Since you claim to be neither pro-abort nor pro-life, that only leaves the "protesting" part…
Do you really think we(pro-lifers) protest PP just for the heck of it? (i.e…we have nothing else better to do?)
March 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I am prolife
Nice work guys!
I think the Notre Dame protest is a great idea.
(for more info go to generationsforlife.org)
March 28th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Wanda,
God Bless you.
The side-walk counselors exemplify (Matthew 5:14)
I hope your (Wanda's) pro-life message continues to be a seed planted in the hearts of those on the other side of the imaginary line–the one we're not supposed to cross.
"Heart speaks to heart." There are no boundaries there.
Thank You and keep up the good-work!
March 28th, 2009 at 10:03 pm