by LifeSiteNews.com staff
VANCOUVER, April 10, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – On Friday afternoon April 7, 2006 a pro-life demonstrator was viciously assaulted by an unknown assailant. Rose Mawhorter, a member of the executive of Campaign Life Coalition BC, was protesting with graphic images across the street from Vancouver’s notorious abortion clinic, Everywomans Health Center at the corner of Broadway St. and Commercial Drive when she was attacked from behind and thrown violently to the ground.
Her female assailant ripped Rose’s signs from her neck and began running down the street. She threw the signs into the traffic and turned back to the scene of chaos she had left behind and began cursing and swearing at the people who were coming to assist Rose. The attacker continued this screaming and yelling until she was out of earshot of the group and then bolted across the road, running as fast as she could making a clean get away.
The perpetrator did not know the entire incident was captured on video tape. The tape has been turned over to the Vancouver Police department who said they would have no trouble identifying the suspect.
Within minutes of the assault, four police cars arrived and spent considerable resources combing nearby streets in an attempt to locate the suspect. Statements were taken from several witnesses and the video tape and Rose’s signs were turned over as evidence.
Rose suffered a small laceration on her wrist as well as bruising on her elbow and hip. She was asked by police if she needed an ambulance but said it was not necessary. Asked later how she was feeling, she said she was still a little shook up.
Rose wanted to clarify that the incident will not deter her from maintaining her weekly vigil at the abortion location. In fact she said incidents like this are to be expected when one brings a message to society that it does not want to hear. She was not surprised that people who condone killing the smallest of human beings would resort to attacking defenceless, peaceful demonstrators.
“This traumatic incident speaks to the need for the continued presence outside abortion facilities and points to the sacrifices some dedicated pro-lifers are making to ensure the voice of the unborn children is not silenced,” Campaign Life Coalition BC President John Hof told LifeSiteNews.com. “She will return to her post again on Friday and invites anyone who would like to discuss this issue to come speak with her.”
“Violence can never be considered an option” Mawhorter stated. “Social justice movements almost inevitably face violent resistance when they successfully challenge accepted injustice. This will be no different for the pro-life movement when we begin to effectively confront our society’s sin.”