With spring in the air, over 130 protesters lined New York Street on March 21 with signs reading Stop Abortion Now, Moms for Life, Planned Parenthood LIES to You and more—the largest protest at Planned Parenthood so far this year. Before the start of the protest, a baby was saved from abortion by sidewalk counselor Wanda Geist. The mother and father went in and out of Planned Parenthood several times, talking to the counselors inside and our sidewalk counselors outside. In the end, they decided that the pro-life message made more sense and that they wanted to keep their baby.
Police Presence Returns
The Aurora Police have not monitored our rallies for several months now. We were surprised this month when we saw no less than four police cars watching the protest from several different vantage points. It had seemed the Aurora police had learned that our protests are peaceful and prayerful above all. As it turns out they indeed have. Their concern was a pro-abortion woman who had been harassing the city’s legal department all week saying she was going to come counter-protest us with inflammatory signs accusing us of being “Christian Nazis,” among other things. The police were there to make sure she didn’t get out of hand. But, as is so often the case, in the end she didn’t show up at all. 
Mayoral Candidate Richard Irvin Joins the Protest
Since they had all commented with some negativity about Planned Parenthood and the abortion issue at the recent mayoral debate, Eric Scheidler had invited all three Aurora Mayoral candidates to come to the protest and talk to Aurora’s pro-life community about their position on this important issue. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner gave no reply. Alderman Stephanie Kifowit wrote back to say she couldn’t make it. Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin took up the invitation and joined pro-lifers on the sidewalk for a good portion of the protest. Aurora 4th Ward Alderman Rick Lawrence, who is running for re-election, and Naperville Township Supervisor candidate Gary Vician also attended the protest.
Disclaimer: Information reported herein about the attendance at a Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood event by candidates for political office does not constitute and endorsement of said candidates.
A Blessing from Father Bellrose
At this month’s protest we were also graced with the presence of Father Bill Bellrose, a priest and pro-life activist with Human Life International (HLI). Father Bill travels the world with HLI spreading the gospel of life. Just this year he’s been to Nigeria, Romania and many other destinations here in the U.S. At the close of the protest, after some remarks by Eric, Father Bill was kind enough to lead us in a closing prayer and impart his blessing on us. See below for a video excerpt of Eric’s closing remarks at the Saturday protest:
