Editor’s note. This comes from PNCI—the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues
August 7, 2013 (NRLC) – A troubling trend of pro-abortion violence and harassment toward pro-life advocates is taking place around the world and includes actions directed at medical doctors, clergy, and peaceful pro-life demonstrators of all ages.
These acts of intolerance and discrimination deny others their freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of worship while threatening personal safety and security. Abortion activists seek to silence and intimidate those who speak the truth about abortion.
These acts take place while pro-abortion supporters at the United Nations and the Inter American Commission on Human Rights at the Organization of American States, along with a number of pro-abortion organizations, are advancing the legal status of pro-abortion activists by defining them as so-called “human rights defenders” who need special protection in countries where abortion is illegal or where opposition to abortion is strong.
The following incidents are recent examples of pro-abortion violations of authentic human rights:
Chile: Pro-Abortion Mob Invades Cathedral
A pro-abortion mob of over 300 invaded the Cathedral of Santiago during a Mass which included prayers of thanksgiving for Catholics who serve the public. The frenzied pro-abortion mob invaded the church at the conclusion of a pro-abortion march, damaging a nationally treasured confessional, pulling pews into the street, and spray painting blasphemies on a side altar and on statues that included “Mary wanted to abort” and “abortion is the best.” They employed whistles and loud shouting to disrupt the worship service.
The faithful present at the Mass, including Santiago’s mayor, Carolina Toha, prevented the activists from reaching the main altar and helped police in riot gear remove the protestors.
The actions of the pro-abortion mob denied those attending Mass their freedom to worship and violated the faithful’s right to personal safety and security. The mob discriminated against the Catholic Church owing to its strong pro-life leadership and demonstrated complete intolerance and disregard for those who profess belief in the right to life from conception. The desecration and damage to a house of worship during a service, demonstrates utter contempt for religion and disregard for the rights of others.
Numerous videos were taken of the mob action.
South Korea: Pro-life doctors banned from presenting at medical women’s conference
Three well-known pro-life doctors from the USA were banned from presenting at the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) conference held in Seoul after being invited to speak. Dr. Mary Davenport, M.D., ob-gyn, was scheduled to present Preterm Birth And Abortion, Dr. Donna Harrison, M.D. , ob-gyn, was to present Maternal Mortality and the Myth of “Safe” Abortion and Dr. Martha Shuping, M.D., a psychiatrist, was to present Women’s Mental Health after Abortion.
The last minute cancellations of the presentations revealed the intent of officials of the MWIA to suppress the truth about abortion, opposing the wishes of Korean doctors on the host committee who had invited the pro-life doctors, desiring to hear their expert presentations against abortion.
Officials of MWIA labeled the pro-life pro-woman presentations as “politicalization of women’s reproductive health” by speakers “who would deny women their basic right to choice” and refused to allow the women to speak. All three doctors are members of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG)– recognized by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as a special interest group within the College–with vast expertise and experience presenting on issues related to abortion in venues around the world, including at the United Nations and to the US Congress.
The pro-life doctors responded to the censure, “This was not a total shock to us, because many physicians and scientists have long been hampered in attempts to inform the scientific community and patient about risks of abortion. Very important information has been suppressed and even lied about.”
With the cancellation of the talks, Dr. Anna Choi, head of an association of 680 Korean obstetricians and gynecologists who no longer perform abortion, and the Committee Chairperson in charge of Public Relations for the conference, arranged a press event for the doctors.
This interview was also blocked by Secretary General of MIWA, Dr. Shelley Ross from Canada. AAPLOG reports that the Secretary General barged into the interview and demanded of the free press:
“Who gave you permission to interview these people?” And the reporters said “We are the press, we don’t need anyone’s permission. We have freedom of the press” And the Sec Gen snarled at Anna and said “Did you arrange this? Did you talk to the organizing committee?” And Anna said “I am on the organizing committee. I don’t need to talk to anyone.” And the Sec Gen stood in front of the camera, and refused to move, and said “The interview is over.” Then the reporters said “You can’t do this. We have the freedom of the press. You are interfering with the freedom of the press.” But the Sec Gen would not move and said “The interview is over.”
The interview was moved to another area of the building with pro-life doctors reporting, “…we resumed the interview in the commons area downstairs by the trash cans and the bathroom.”
AAPLOG deplores the censoring of the truth about abortion:
“The medical community desperately needs to hear the truth about how some women suffer preventable lifetime psychological harm from abortion, how abortion contributes to preterm birth, the biggest killer of newborns world wide, and how nations with law protective of both mothers and unborn babies achieve some of the best statistics in maternal mortality. The suppression of the truth about the harm of abortion to women and future generations is the unfortunate reality in some medical and scientific venues who place the advancement of abortion above scientific dialog.”
Click “like” if you are PRO-LIFE!
The attempt to censure the media even violates the resolution MWIA passed in 2010 that included a call for truthful reporting, “MWIA resolves that, Each of us take action in our own communities to encourage truthful, fearless reporting by the media so injustices against women and children are highlighted, not ignored.”
Based on MWIA’s deplorable censoring in Seoul, the only injustices it appears to care about are the ones that fit its radical pro-abortion agenda and the death of innocent children in abortion does not qualify as injustice, nor does the harm done to women in abortion. The organization also seeks greater US funding for abortion around the world as evidenced in a letter the organization sent to President Obama in March of this year calling for unrestricted abortion funding via USAID.
PNCI commends Drs. Harrison, Davenport and Shuping for their commitment to defending life and presenting the scientific truths of abortion.
Austria: Police Arrest 34 Disrupting Pro-Life March
A pro-life demonstration in Salzburg was interrupted by pro-abortion protesters who launched several violent attacks against the peaceful procession, disrupted the walk through the Salzburg streets, and resisted arrest while the march received police protection and escort through the streets.
The “1,000 Crosses for Life” march was organized by Human Life International (HLI), Europrolife, Youth for Life, the Prayer Initiative, and Salzburg Pro-life Centre. In the past, the march has resulted in violence by pro-abortion activists against HLI’s office in Austria.
This year, Pro-life demonstrators brought attention to the dignity of every life and tossed 100 roses into the Salzach River, accompanied by a peal of bells, in memory of “all the babies who were not allowed to see the light of the world”. The message of the pro-life march to those unborn children was, “We will not forget you, we love you, we will give you our voice.”
The message of pro-abortion activists, exemplified by their actions, is that they have no respect or tolerance for the views of those with whom they disagree. The boisterous pro-abortion mob tried to harass and intimidate the peaceful demonstrators denying them their freedom of expression and threatening their safety and security, a fact demonstrated by police arrest of 34 radical activists. Read more and watch the video on HLI World Watch website.
USA: Abortion Protestors Issue Death Threats to Governor and Lawmakers
A bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy passed the Texas state legislature and was signed by pro-life governor Rick Perry. During debate on the measure, pro-life lawmakers and advocates had to be protected by police from radical activists who were enraged at the bill to ban late term abortion and conducted a vile near violent lobby effort with police confiscating a jar of urine, 18 jars that contained feces, 3 bottles of paint, significant quantities of feminine hygiene products, and other items.
At one point, while pro-life demonstrators sang “Amazing Grace,” pro-abortion activists shouted “Hail Satan.” The pro-abortion mob would have reduced the legislative process to sheer chaos if it were not for intervention by police.
Governor Rick Perry and pro-life legislators received death threats, harassing emails and phone calls, including calls for their daughters to be raped, from abortion activists.
The violent radical nature of pro-abortion activists was starkly evident by their actions that harassed and threatened the personal safety and security of those who disagreed with their extreme pro-abortion position that seeks the destruction of children who, if allowed to be born, would survive on their own.
Reprinted with permssion from NRLC