Life-Saving Dedication

· Posted 09/07/07 by Danielle

It takes a lot of guts to proclaim yourself actively pro-life these days.

In the midst of a holocaust, too many of America’s churches, schools and communities are ignoring the bloodshed. Youth groups avoid the topic of abortion, and high school teachers ban the subject in speech class. Right now, it’s just not that cool to be pro-life, especially when there are much more trendy causes like Darfur and the AIDS crisis.

The genocide in Darfur, AIDS in Africa, sex slave trafficking, and other horrific crimes certainly need the Christian church’s attention. However, it seems easier for our churches to condemn genocide when it happens to born persons, or to speak out against a scourge when it is taking the lives of children in a far away country and the responsible persons don’t sit in our congregations.

Survivors’ 10th annual ProLife Training Camp challenged 35 youth to declare themselves actively pro-life. That is, pro-life in both name and deed regardless of the consequences.

While at Survivors Camp, the Survivors (campers) faced the prejudice and hatred of many, including numerous members of the police force.

Men and women alike burst into tears at the sight of our graphic photos; young and old hearts were broken for the preborn as the Survivors brought the horror of abortion to light in the public square. We are fairly certain that at least one baby’s life was saved from abortion. And yet there were many people who despised the Survivors for the truth they declared.

Police officers in San Bernardino arrived to find graphic signs at the intersections around the local Family Planning Associates clinic, chalk words on the sidewalk declaring “choose life” and “this clinic kills babies”, and young people at front and back doors with life-saving information.

The policemen immediately located Danielle, the Survivors’ police liaison, and demanded that the sidewalk chalking stop and threatened to issue citations to anyone chalking. Adding to that ridiculous demand, the arrogant officers also ordered everyone to hold their signs off the ground instead of resting them on the sidewalk. Although Danielle was used to such silly orders from biased law enforcement, she was visibly shocked into laughter when the following conversation took place (not an exact transcript):

Danielle: Why can’t the signs rest on the ground?
Police: Because it’s against the law.
Danielle: What law? These people are engaging in free speech on public property. Since when is it illegal to hold a sign on the sidewalk?
Police: We have a municipal code that doesn’t allow signs to be placed on public property. If a sign is placed on public property, it’s an advertisement and not allowed.
Danielle: But everyone here is holding their signs, not placing them and leaving. Not to mention, what exactly would we be advertising?
Police: Your opinions.
Danielle: That’s called freedom of speech, and it’s protected by the Constitution! Perhaps you need to go back to the police academy to learn the difference between advertisements and free speech.

This police officer, a servant of the people, was so determined to find grounds for arrest that he actually called free speech “advertising”. He also later claimed the municipal code trumped the Constitution.

Needless to say, the police were not going to back down. At least 6 officers were called to the scene, and an urgent call was made to police headquarters requesting a law that could be applied to the Survivors so that arrests could be made.

At the same time, the Survivors would not back down from their relentless defense of the preborn. Dedicated to being in front of that clinic during the killing hours, the Survivors refused to leave unless a valid law could be presented.

Before a suitable law could be dug out of the books, the men in uniform found a different reason to slap on the handcuffs.

The clinic security officer placed three of the Survivors under citizen’s arrest for alleged trespassing, and the police were quick to respond in spite of little evidence. James, Bud and Joey were handcuffed and escorted to police cruisers, issued citations, and James and Bud were released. Joey was taken to the police station to be cited, since he did not carry his identification.

After the citations, the Survivors wrapped up the event and began to load up the signs and supplies.

One of the policemen had previously shared with Danielle that he was a Christian, and in full support of the Survivors. Just before the group packed up, the officer gladly announced the news that there was no law on the books that could possibly prevent the Survivors’ sidewalk chalking or resting of the signs on the sidewalk.

At the end of the morning, the Survivors had learned a valuable lesson in standing firm against prejudiced law enforcement. Not only did the Survivors maintain a prayerful presence outside the clinic for 2 hours, but one of the young women reported that a girl left the clinic without even entering – most likely carrying a precious life spared from abortion.

Throughout the 12-day camp, 35 young people took a stand for the truth, refused to compromise, and showed themselves to be worthy advocates for the pre-born. It is the prayer of the Survivors staff that these youth returned home with a fire in their bellies – a holy fire given by God to those who are willing to embrace the unpopular job of voices for the voiceless.

See the Riverside Press-Enterprise coverage of our event online. Read with discernment – Southern California newspapers are not known for representing the Survivors’ activities with 100% accuracy!

Comment

Way to go Survivors on your 10th camp! Incredible the blessings of staying faithful to the cause! Keep up the good work!
Chris Finch

— Chris Finch · Jul 12, 01:00 PM · #

Cops are pigs these days. I would have resisted arrest if they did that to me. Keep up the good work. :)

— Jeremy Rogers · Jul 12, 01:48 PM · #

Every time I see your site it’s encouraging.Great job, stay focused! Julie W

— juliewellbrock · Jul 12, 02:50 PM · #

i am so proud of my boy (even though he forgot his id) for standing up for the unborn.

ps for those of you who were at camp, joey and i are now an item and i am being truly blessed.

— krista · Jul 13, 11:49 AM · #

Keep up the great work..Each time out there gives you victory after victory and a soid foundation of experience for the next Pro-Life task.

— Don Barber · Jul 13, 05:40 PM · #

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