. . . because action speaks louder than words.
League history, NOW v. Scheidler, Action News, Joe Scheidler, League staff
Q & A on abortion, the unborn child, where we stand on the issues and more
Helping abortion-bound women choose life for their babies
Unmasking the truth about abortion in the public square
Our youth outreach, raising up a new generation of pro-life leaders
Abortion industry converts tell the inside story
News and commentary from the Pro-Life Action League
News and commentary from the Pro-Life Action League
One of the “No Picketing” signs that will come down as a result of the settlement agreement [Photo by Matt Yonke]
Aurora, Ill. March 25, 2010—After a years-long dispute over the First Amendment rights of protesters, the Pro-Life Action League has reached a settlement with the City of Aurora. A win for pro-lifers, the settlement recognizes and safeguards the rights of protesters while promising comprehensive protection for citizens who wish to speak out for life in front of one of the nation’s largest abortion facilities.
“This long-awaited settlement ensures that pro-life activists’ peaceful outreach to abortion-bound mothers can proceed without issue, and eliminates the ambiguity that has plagued the police response to pro-life protests at Aurora Planned Parenthood,” said Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League and organizer of Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood. “It also demonstrates that there is no need to silence or limit protesters with a ‘bubble zone’ like the one the city of Chicago enacted late last year.” Read past the fold to see the full agreement
The settlement ends the dispute between the City of Aurora and the Pro-Life Action League that began in 2007 after the construction of one of the largest Planned Parenthood facilities in the country. Scheidler believes it illustrates the type of cooperation between pro-lifers and cites that is needed nationwide, and that it can serve as a model to other municipalities dealing with First Amendment issues.
Some of the provisions of the agreement include:
Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League: 773-251-8792
Stephanie Lewis, TC Public Relations: 312-422-1333
Note: Visitor comments do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pro-Life Action League.
We welcome a free and open exchange of ideas on the Pro-Life Hotline, from all points of view, but we request that you restrict your remarks to the topic(s) presented in the entry above.
To ensure constructive dialog, the following will not be tolerated:
You may use HTML code to style your comments.
Any details concerning “types, size and number of pro-life signs” ???
Posted March 25, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Jerry — You can see all the details in the agreement. I just added a link to it at the bottom of the post.
Posted March 26, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I am sure our Lord is smiling down upon you and saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servants!” Thank you.
Posted March 26, 2010 at 2:32 pm
At least some news to refresh hope in light, sorry, I mean among the darkness of last Sunday’s events.
Posted March 26, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Some good news at last! It sounds like democracy could be breaking out in Aurora.
Posted March 26, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Praise GOD! I thank you Erik for all of your endeavors. It is too bad you had to spend your time in court for this liberty that is a given in this “free” USA. Thank you also for all of your work in saving the unborn. GOD really works with and through you and all of those who are on this team. GOD Bless you all!
Posted March 30, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Thanks to the Scheidler family for your decades of work, and having the courage to be one of the leaders in this worthwhile battle against evil. That said, I think this agreement may be dangerous for all pro-life demonstrators around the country in the future. Your whole motivation seems to be to make things easier, instead of standing on principle and constitutionality. (I respect your past sufferings and am not belittling the burdens imposed by litigation.) However, you have gained nothing that you did not ALREADY have a right to do, and the City only gave up what they did NOT have a right to do to you in the first place. This is why we will never get any respect, and hence, neither will the babies, because PRO-LIFERS don’t exhibit the fortitude and self-sacrifice required to make cities feel the effects of Recital “E.” Pro-life demonstrators need to stop acting like pacifists and start acting like REAL Christians, fighting peacefully and legally, by charging cities with gross negligence and other civil rights violations (s.1983) for not training their police officers after years of harassment and intimidation. In Attleboro, MA we have just been charged with 11 new cases, even after years spent winning previous court battles. Evil does not bow because you give the police coffee and donuts, or because you move to another location. Evil must be worn down (like during an exorcism), NOT PRO-LIFERS !!! Also, the so-called “pro-life lawyers” who are not standing up and fighting legally in order to protect their “reputation” and “bank account” will have the most for which to answer to GOD. I’d bet it was a lawyer who suggested this “Settlement” in the first place; and, would be surprised if anything changed in Aurora in the long term. Allowing the City to control your signage is a DANGEROUS path to have gone down without it coming from a high court decision. I’m almost positive the U.S. Supreme Court has NOT ruled on that yet. May God bless your family. You are loved across this country for your efforts. Your brother in Christ – Michael.
Posted March 31, 2010 at 7:55 pm
“Allowing the City to control your signage is a DANGEROUS path to have gone down without coming from a high court decision.”
Tho I believe good faith is expressed above, the “content” of above statement is overwhelmingly complicated to me!
1. “control of signage”……we were forbidden to show signs, period……what is illogical, or dangerous, or anything but to fight this at the source……LOCALLY!
2. “high court decision”…….the Supreme Court was ready, willing and able to address our complaint???
Posted April 3, 2010 at 8:31 am
continueing:
“DANGEROUS path to have gone down without coming from a high court decision”
To keep a purpose, goal, end, reason “in mind” when doing anything is, I believe, the best way to do anything…….but a “authority by man” (high court) is necessary but subservient to an even higher authority! Namely, the police will act with good faith (example….”warning sign will be posted to warn passerbys of grathfic pictures so that their children can be prepared”….something to that effect) This directive of promoting “good faith” can’t come from a “high court”!
Posted April 3, 2010 at 8:54 am
In my opinion, the word “DANGEROUS” used in above statement means:
MOST EFFECTIVE!
NOT
DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR CAUSE!
Posted April 3, 2010 at 9:00 am
Urgently request this and my prior two replys (#8 and #9) be DELETED!
These replys are “nonsense” and more importantly DETRACT from Michael A. Judge’s (#7) most excellent reply! Jerry Vilt
Posted April 7, 2010 at 8:33 am
Hello, This site is very interesting and enjoyable to read. I am a big fan of the subjects discussed. I also enjoy reading the comments, but notice that alot of people should stay on topic to try and add value to the original blog post. I would also encourage everyone to bookmark this page to your favourite service to help spread the word. Thanks
Posted April 12, 2010 at 4:31 pm
It is your right to protest but you should be ashamed of yourselves for using those nasty dead baby pictures. I have to drive to Dominick’s or blockbuster several times a week. One day they might have that gross sign up and the next day it will not be there. It makes my son who is 6 cry and ask way more questions than a 6 year old should have to see and ask about. They tell me to drive way out of my way to go around it WHY??? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO GO 5-10 MINUTES OUT OF MY WAY FOR THEM? It makes me want to go in front of their shopping centers and show their children pictures of 7′X4′ penis’ and see how you would like to explain inappropriate things to a 6 year old in your family! Feel free to protest all you want but you should think of other young children before you start showing those nasty pictures in public! Just put up signs no need to show a dead baby picture that even as an adult I don’t want to see!
Posted May 29, 2010 at 12:21 am