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Pro-Abortion Protestors Arrested for Harassing "40 Days for Life" Witnesses

By Elizabeth O'Brien

AURORA, Illinois, August 23, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Two pro-abortion protestors were arrested on misdemeanor battery charges, for harassing a group of pro-life witnesses outside a Planned Parenthood abortion facility during a prayer vigil on Sunday.

The Chicago Tribune, normally silent on pro-life events, reports that 24-year old Shawn R. Pawlak and 27 year old Kelly L. Maha, shouted obscenities at pro-life witnesses who were peacefully participating in the 24-hour, 40-day prayer rally to prevent the newly-constructed abortion facilities from opening near Chicago this fall.

Joseph Williams, from Sugar Grove Illinois, was one of the three people praying before the clinic between midnight and 1:00 a.m. early on Sunday morning. They were approached by a couple of drunk, pro-abortion young people who began to argue with them about abortion.

Williams told LifeSiteNews.com, "There were three of us-myself and an elderly couple." He continued, "The girl was extremely intoxicated, more or less staggering. They came over and started with the usual 'What about when someone gets raped?'

Pawlak and Maha noticed the crosses and memorial candles on the ground, and as Williams commented, they "thought it was ridiculous that we had a memorial to the unborn." After some more combative conversation, the girl started to uproot and kick over the crosses. The man also picked up a couple and threw them across the street. Williams said, "I began to walk in between them to block the crosses…I was holding my hands out saying 'Go home guys, you've had enough.''

At this point, Pawlak shoved Williams and threatened him. "After that much alcohol, they were so riled up," he told LifeSiteNews.com. "They were the antagonists".  The other pro-life witnesses called the police, and upon their arrival, Williams agreed to press charges.

Williams, who is a frequent participant in the Aurora "40 Days for Life" prayer witness campaign, stated that more and more people are joining the effort to keep the abortion site from opening. "The prayer vigils have been steadily increasing in numbers," he said. The pro-lifers like to have a minimum of two people there around the clock, especially in the middle of the night. He said that last night, however, "We had about a dozen people. It's really encouraging."

The Tribune reports that Pawlak was charged with battery of a protester, and Mahan was charged with disorderly conduct. Released after posting bail, the two are scheduled to appear in Aurora Branch Court at 9 a.m. on September 11.

Read previous LifeSiteNews coverage:

Chicago Pro-Lifers Launch Massive Effort to Stop New Abortion Clinic from Opening - 40 Day Vigil
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07081801.html

Americans Urged to Join Nationwide 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting Campaign for an End to Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jul/07072602.html
 

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