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Last Updated 6/30/2009

League's Message to Obama: "Abortion Is Not Health Care"

Pro-lifers outside the AMA convention

Pro-lifers holding baby Malachi signs outside the AMA convention [Photo by Sam Scheidler]

Seventy activists with the Pro-Life Action League lined East Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago across from the Hyatt Regency during President Barack Obama's address to the physician delegates of the American Medical Association June 15. Obama used the ocassion to encourage doctors to support his health care plan, and the League was there to deliver a simple message: "Abortion is not health care."

The pro-life protestors held graphic abortion signs depicting "Baby Malachi", aborted at 21 weeks, with the caption "Abortion is not health care," as well as Stop Abortion Now signs.

League's Lightning Mobilization

Police protect protesters at AMA convention

Police protect protesters' 1st Amendment rights [Photo by Sam Scheidler]

Turnout for the protest was especially high considering the League only learned about the Obama speech late on Thursday morning, June 11, when the A.M.A. put out a press release. League Staff immediately jumped into action upon hearing the news.

While League Communications Director Eric Scheidler drafted a press release, alerted activists of the planned protest through e-mail and designed a flyer, other League staff phoned 200 local activists to invite them to attend the protest.

"The overwhelming response to today's protest is indicative of how energized the pro-life movement is in 2009," Scheidler remarked. "They can see how high the stakes are right now, with the most pro-abortion president in U.S. history in the White House, and a pro-abortion Congres, too."

The heavy turnout by pro-lifers was in stark contrast to the handful of gay marriage and anti-war activists who were also protesting in the barricaded protest on the north side of Wacker Drive.

League Calls on Obama To Keep His Pledge To Reduce Abortion

The League used the occassion of Obama's speach to the A.M.A. to call on him to follow through on his pledge, issued during his commencement address at Notre Dame, to work to reduce abortion. "It is time for President Obama to join the pro-life movement in providing compassion and support to the thousands of women in the United States faced with unintended pregnancies who think abortion is their only option," said Scheidler.

Specifically, the League called on Obama to ensure any reform of the nation’s health care system will:

"We invite President Obama to reconsider his position on abortion," said Scheidler. "But whatever his stand, we can still work together to offer women and families the help and hope they need to choose life."

League Gets the Inside Story at A.M.A. Meeting

Representing the League's Action News, assistant communications director Matt Yonke secured a press pass and watched Obama's speech from inside the hotel. He also spoke with several physicians attending the convention and got the inside story on health care reform.

It was clear that the majority of doctors, regardless of political affiliation, saw an urgent need for changes to the current health care system, but most thought President Obama wouldn't get it right, at least not the first time around. Some are certain his plan will only worsen and already bad situation, while others were more hopeful that the plan could succeed with amendments along the way.

One of the doctors Yonke interviewed revealed that the A.M.A. was likely to endorse so-called "comprehensive" sex education at the convention. While a final vote was yet to be taken, the stiff resistance that met previous campaigns for such an endorsement had evaporated, with only three out of eighteen doctors speaking on the measure opposing the endorsement.

Clearly the pro-life movement has a tremendous task ahead convincing both the medical community and our politicians to respect the sanctity of life and the sacred gift of marriage. The June 15 protest was one more step forward in that process.

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NARAL Fails to Strive for Common Ground at June Truth Day

Pro-lifer Dan Brasic talks with a young pro-choice woman outside the Art Institute [Photo by Matt Yonke]

The Pro-Life Action League held its June "Truth Day" on Wednesday, June 10 at two sites in downtown Chicago—first at the Art Institute of Chicago and the second at Union Station. More than 15 pro-lifers came out to hold signs depicting the reality of abortion.

Art Institute

The Art Institute provided an interesting ground for discussion. A few passersby hassled pro-lifers, accusing them of somehow being responsible for the death of late-term abortionist George Tiller, but on the whole response to the tour was positive.

Pro-lifer Dan Brasic, a high-school student who joined in for both sites of the day, had a lengthy conversation with a young pro-choice woman. Though she left unconvinced of the pro-life position, Dan was able to give her some food for thought on the value of human life.

Matt and Eric hold a "Choice" sign above NARAL's sign [Photo by Sam Scheidler]

At Adams Street and Wacker Drive, just outside Union Station, the League was met by members of the NARAL Illinois Choice Action Team who came to counter-protest the Truth Day. As is so often the case, many of their signs gave strange and conflicting messages and their behavior was ridiculous and at times offensive.

One member of the Choice Action Team carried a bloodied baby doll which he pretended was shouting offensive sentiments at pro-lifers. Another protester stood in front of stalwart pro-lifer Mike Busse's baby Malachi sign, stretching her arms out to cover the sign. Police eventually intervened and made her stop her attempt to shut down Mike's exercise of free speech.

Common Ground?

Later in the protest, two NARAL protesters pulled out a 10'x3' banner reading "Abortion on Demand and Without Apology." Acting quickly, the League's Eric Scheidler and Matt Yonke took a third trimester abortion sign and stood behind them, making it clear exactly what they believe should be available on demand and without apology.

A pro-choice protester attempts to block pro-lifer Mike Busse's sign [Photo by Matt Yonke]

In the ten minutes Eric and Matt were standing in close quarters with the NARAL volunteers, multiple attempts were made to start a conversation with the pro-choicers but every attempt was met with a cold refusal to dialog. Some volunteers said they didn't want to talk to Eric and Matt because pro-lifers are "all a bunch of murderers."

Disorderly Conduct

Police presence was high at both sites, which was a blessing. Towards the end of the second site, the League's Corrina Gura was standing peacefully with a passerby spat on he baby Malachi sign. Corrina alerted a nearby officer who stopped the woman and issued her a ticket for disorderly conduct.

It was an excellent truth day and thousands of commuters and museum-goers were put face to face with the uncomfortable truth about abortion. Thanks to all who volunteered to make the day such a success.

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League Condemns Murder of Abortionist George Tiller

Late Term Abortionist George Tiller

Late term abortionist George Tiller, murdered May 31, 2009

The Pro-Life Action League was shocked and dismayed to learn that late-term abortionist George Tiller was shot and killed while at chuch in Wichita, Kansas on Sunday, May 31. In a press statement, League National Director Joe Scheidler condemned the murder and declared that we must seek to convert abortionists like Tiller.

"We don't know yet what motivated the killer," said Scheidler, "but any act of violence in the name of protecting the lives of unborn children is a betrayal of the pro-life movement, which proclaims the sanctity of all human life."

Violence Is Not the Answer—Conversion Is

Scheidler and the League have always denounced the use of violence in the pro-life cause. A chapter of Scheidler's book, CLOSED: 99 Ways To Stop Abortion is devoted to the topic.

The League is now bracing for the onslaught of accusations—already beginning—that the pro-life movement is responsible for Tiller's murder. Nothing could be further form the truth. "Those who resort to such acts of violence have always had little or no connection with the pro-life movement," Scheidler remarked. "They lack the faith and courage it takes to fight abortion effectively."

Moreover, no babies will be saved by resorting to violence. "Someone else will now perform the abortions that Tiller had scheduled this week," Scheidler said. "The only difference this killing makes is that pro-life groups will be dragged through the mud."

Scheidler regrets that George Tiller will never be numbered among the abortionists who have converted to the pro-life side, as one of his former staff members, Luhra Tivis, did. Luhra's testimony is featured on the League's DVD, Meet the Abortion Providers, and is also available online.

"No one is beyond salvation," Scheidler said. "As much of an enemy as Tiller was, he deserved our prayers and even our respect as a fellow human being. Human life is precious—all human life."

Scheidler's History with George Tiller

Joe Scheidler has a long history with George Tiller, going back to the 1980s. He once shared a long cab ride with Tiller when they both showed up late at the New Orleans airport for a National Abortion Federaration (NAF) meeting.

Not realizing that Scheidler was a pro-life activist, Tiller told him about the utility of ultrasound technology for performing late-term abortions—the subject of a talk he was giving at the NAF meeting—and invited him to visit his Wichita, Kansas clinic. Once the NAF meeting began, Tiller realized who Scheidler was and refused to show the footage of how he was using ultrasound in abortions until Scheidler left the room.

Scheidler later took Tiller up on his invitation and visited Tiller's abortuary in Wichita—with cameras and reporters from the local media. No abortions were performed that day.

Links and Related Pages

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League's Message at Notre Dame: "Obama = Abortion"

Stop Abortion Now sign -- Click for larger version Face the Truth sign -- Click for larger version Joe Scheidler at Notre Dame -- Click for larger version Shame on Notre Dame sign -- Click for larger version Obama = Abortion sign -- Click for larger version

Scenes from the May 17 protest at Notre Dame. Click any image to see a larger version.

The Pro-Life Action League rallied hundreds of faithful pro-lifers from the Chicago area to join in a massive protest of President Barack Obama's commencement address at the University of Notre Dame on May 17. Four full bus-loads—well over 200 volunteers—were joined by hundreds of others who drove on their own, as well as three busses of volunteers from Citizens for a Pro-Life Society in Michigan.

Together, these hundreds of pro-lifers sent a clear message to both the University of Notre Dame and President Obama that abortion is an abominable betrayal of both the Catholic principle of the sanctity of life and the American principle of an inalienable right to life.

A Pro-Life "Road Trip" from Chicagoland

The League's protest day began in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 17, in three locations throughout Chicagoland—the League office on the northwest side of Chicago, St. Thomas More Church on the south side, and Aurora Central Catholic High School in the western suburbs—where hired busses picked up staff and volunteers for the ride to South Bend, Indiana.

Billboard on the Indiana Tollway—Click for larger version

Billboard the League erected on the Indiana Toll Road—See larger version [Photo by Eric Scheidler]

During the bus trip, League bus captains briefed the volunteers on the plans for the day, how to deal with passersby, police and the press, and other key details. The highlight of the bus trip was passing by one of the League's two billboards on the Indiana Toll Road, right at mile 57, which read, "Notre Dame: Obama is pro abortion choice. How dare you honor him."

Meanwhile, protest coordinator Eric Scheidler traveled to South Bend ahead of the busses with a cargo van packed full of "Face the Truth" and picket signs, along with his sons Nate and Sam and friend Jason Klaske. Eric arrived shortly after 9:00 a.m. and staked out the protest area, looking for anything that might require a last-minute change to his "battle plan" worked out during the preceding weeks.

Powerful League Presence at Notre Dame

By 10:00 a.m., volunteers began arriving at St. Joseph High School at the corner of Angela Boulevard and Michigan Street, the protest headquarters, graciously offered for League use by Principal Susan Richter. Wave upon wave of eager pro-lifers were quickly put to work by protest coordinator Eric Scheidler, assisted by Matt Yonke, John Jansen, Nate Scheidler, Sam Scheidler, Jeff Eschbach, Steve Klaske, Annie Casselman, Corrina Gura and Ann Scheidler. The League team—wearing bright, safety-green t-shirts and red "Choose Life" caps—quickly deployed hundreds of pro-life signs.

Face the Truth Tour crew getting ready to set up the display

League staffers Nate Scheidler, Eric Scheidler, Matt Yonke and Sam Scheidler prepare to set up the Face the Truth Tour [Photo by Cathy Hubeny]

By the official protest start time of 10:30, a powerful display of more than 130 large, graphic abortion signs was in place, spanning over nearly a mile north of the intersection and three-quarters of a mile east, right up to the main entrance of the university. Hundreds of smaller signs reading "Stop Abortion Now," "Shame on Notre Dame" and "Obama = Abortion" were interspersed throughout the protest, especially at the intersection of Angela and Michigan and at the university entrance.

The League protest dominated the main route into campus from the Indiana Tollroad, reaching thousands of passersby, including those streaming in for the commencement ceremonies. The League was far and away the largest of the pro-life groups to descend on South Bend.

Those arrayed along Angela Boulevard faced some resistance from local homeowners, some of whom counter-protested in favor of Obama from the comfort of lawn chairs in their yards. Several turned sprinklers on, and one even went so far as to stack a pile of filthy garbage bags up on the edge of her lawn. The pro-lifers prayerfully ignored all these distractions.

League Group Joins Vigil at Grotto

By 12:45 p.m., anyone coming for the commencement was already on campus, and League staffers began to escort volunteers from the extreme ends of the protest back to headquarters for lunch. Hundreds of sandwiches were distributed to the group while the League staff stowed the large signs and prepared for the quick trip on campus to join the prayer vigil on campus at 2:00 p.m.

Hundreds gathered at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes for the prayer vigil

Hundreds gathered at the Grotto for a prayer vigil—See larger version [Photo by Sam Scheidler]

The vigil was held at the beautiful Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, and was led by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life. League National Director Joe Scheidler, a 1950 graduate of Notre Dame and former teacher in the journalism school, was already there to greet the League arrivals, after a visit to the Rally for Life taking place on the South Quad during the League's protest off campus.

As the group of 600 pro-lifers prayed the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary at the Grotto, together with hundreds more joining in by video from the South Quad, the League's Eric Scheidler scoped out the activity elsewhere on campus by bicycle. He saw and heard snippets of the speeches by university president Fr. John Jenkins and Barack Obama, which were being broadcast throughout campus, visited the protest continuing at the university entrance, and rode by the Joyce Center as Obama was speaking, where he offered a prayer for the presidents conversion.

The vigil concluded at 3:30 p.m. and the League protest team led the group back to the waiting busses for the return trip to Chicago. The mood on the journey home was extremely upbeat. All felt grateful to have been a part of such a significant and effective pro-life witness—a true turning point for the pro-life movement. On the Aurora bus, passengers sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and other hymns, accompanied by a concertina.

Obama Values Tone over Truth

It wasn't until returning home that the League protesters could find out what President Obama had said during his commencement address. "Obama made a show of addressing the controversy surrounding his invitation to Notre Dame, but really said nothing of substance," remarked Eric Scheidler. "Instead, he offered praise of those with 'open hearts' and 'open minds' who use 'fair-minded words'—clearly suggesting that those opposing his speech are hard-hearted, close-minded and shrill.

The President can offer no defense of his radical support for abortion—even voting to deny medical care to infants who survive an attempted abortion. No wonder he would rather be judged for the tone of his voice than his actions against the sanctity of life.

—Eric Scheidler

Scheidler said he agrees that civility is important—the League's new handbook, Sharing the Pro-Life Message emphasizes that—but "Civility is not an end in itself. Ultimately it is more important what you say than how you say it." But Scheidler is not surprised by Obama's fixation on externals. "The President can offer no defense of his radical support for abortion—even voting to deny medical care to infants who survive an attempted abortion. No wonder he would rather be judged for the tone of his voice than his actions against the sanctity of life."

Scheidler pointed out that Obama's speech was laced with irony. "He cited the golden rule, but failed to see how it would teach each of us, nurtured in our own mothers' wombs, to respect the life of every unborn child. He lamented that 'strong too often dominate the weak' without realizing that the unborn child is the weakest of us all, so 'dominated' by the abortionist that her life is taken from her brutally."

N.D. "Opposition" to Obama Policies Rings False

The League's Ann Scheidler was more troubled by university president Fr. Jenkins' introduction to President Obama. "Fr. Jenkins said that 'President Obama is not someone who stops talking to those who differ with him' and then said 'Mr. President: This is a principle we share'—and yet he steadfastly refused to meet with pro-life leaders like Joe Scheidler who respectfully requested meetings with him after the Obama invitation was announced. He wouldn't even meet with the pro-life student group."

Fr. Jenkins steadfastly refused to meet with pro-life leaders like Joe Scheidler who respectfully requested meetings.

—Ann Scheidler

Fr. Jenkins also praised Obama for being willing to accept his invitation, despite knowing that "we oppose his policies on abortion and embryonic stem cell research."

However, Eric Scheidler pointed out that, despite this purported opposition, the audience erupted in applause when Obama referred to parents who think embryonic stem cells might help their ailing children. "Clearly the problem at Notre Dame goes far deeper than this semester's controversy over Barack Obama," Scheidler remarked.

Mission Accomplished: Obama Linked to Abortion

Despite the efforts of Fr. Jenkins and President Obama to demonize their pro-life opponents as uncivil and closed-minded—even while calling open-mindedness and a respect for others' views—Scheidler considers the League's protest to have been an overwhelming success.

Obama=Abortion sign

Pro-lifers holding "Obama=Abortion" and baby Malachi signs—See larger version [Photo by Sam Scheidler]

"Throughout last year's presidential campaign," Eric Scheidler noted, "Barack Obama's radical pro-abortion agenda was covered up. Thanks to the Notre Dame controversy, Americans are learning that their Barack Obama is the abortion president. Mission accomplished."

Ann Scheidler also pointed out that the Notre Dame controversy has galvanized the pro-life movement like no other issue in years. "If Fr. Jenkins and Barack Obama had set out to wake up the sleeping giant of pro-life Americans, they couldn't have done a better job." She believes that a turning point for the pro-life movement was reached in South Bend, Indiana on Graduation Day 2009.

League Protest in the News

The Pro-Life Action League was featured in many news stories surrounding the protest of Barack Obama at Notre Dame, including interviews of Joe, Eric and Ann Scheidler. League signage was to be seen in nearly all the footage broadcast about the protest:

Commentary on the Obama Commencement Address

Many commentators have offered thoughtful respondes to President Obama's commencement address at Notre Dame. Offered here are some of the most notable and inciteful commentaries, along with an excerpt from each:

"Obama and the 'Real' Catholics: The president inserts himself into a religious debate" by George Weigel—National Review Online 5/18/09
What was surprising, and ought to be disturbing to anyone who cares about religious freedom in these United States, was the president’s decision to insert himself into the ongoing Catholic debate over the boundaries of Catholic identity and the applicability of settled Catholic conviction in the public square. Obama did this by suggesting, not altogether subtly, who the real Catholics in America are. [Read it all]
"Doubt, Dialogue and Demonization" by Fr. Roger Landry—The Anchor 5/22/09
The fundamental reason why the President called for dialogue and common ground on abortion in South Bend—and set up an elaborate pseudo-religious argument to pretend that it's all that can be achieved between the "irreconciliable" views on both sides of the abortion issue—seems to be because he seeks to draw pro-lifers, and Catholics in particular, from a position of moral absolutism about the evil of abortion to one aligned with the "demands of a new age," which wants unfettered abortion access. [Read it all]
"Obama Scored Big at Notre Dame: At least the president is forthright about his principles" by William McGurn
[The New York] Times front page was dominated by a color photograph of a beaming president, resplendent in his blue-and-gold Notre Dame academic gown, reaching out to graduates eager to shake his hand or just touch his robe. It was precisely the message President Obama wanted to send: How bad can he be on abortion if Notre Dame is willing to honor him? [Read it all]
"Notre Dame Says 'Yes We Can'" by Jean Kathryn Lopez—National Review Online 5/18/09
"Dialogue" has been the apparent cardinal virtue during this Notre Dame affair, as so often is the case when higher education and religion get controversial. . . . But it wasn’t there on Sunday at the commencement exercises, and to pretend that it was is a continued outrage. [Read it all]
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