The RRRs Resulted in Two Potential Turn-Aways
From the PP Clinic.
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Two Red Rose Rescues took place in Ohio—the first on Friday, June 4th at the Northeast Ohio Women’s Center in Cuyahoga Falls—the second, Saturday, June 5th at the PP mega-clinic in Bedford Heights.
Among those arrested in Cuyahoga Falls is 18-year old college student Audrey Whipple (above). She was part of a four-person team who entered the Northeast Ohio Women’s Center at approximately 11:20am.
The other Red Rose Rescuers are Fr. Fidelis Moscinski of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Laura Gies, and Stephanie Berry. Once inside the abortion facility both Stephanie Berry and Audrey Whipple spoke to two women sitting in the waiting room—offering them words of encouragement to choose life and offering them actual red roses. In an act of solidarity with the unborn about to be aborted, the pro-lifers refused to leave the clinic when the police eventually arrived, in an act of non-violent defense of unborn children—resulting in their arrests.
The rescuers were taken to the local police station and released only a few hours later, charged with misdemeanor trespass. Their first court appearance is scheduled for July 9th. Several local pro-lifers assembled outside the clinic, including dedicated sidewalk-counselor Rita Vitali. Pastor Walter Moss was present with his wife Darlene. The rescue was video-taped by Mark Harrington of Created Equal.
The second Red Rose Rescue took place Saturday, June 5th at the massive Planned Parenthood building in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Beginning at about 9:00am, this rescue took place on the parking lot of the facility, except for one rescuer, 31-year-old Juanito Estevez who managed to get past PP security. He entered the abortion clinic waiting room and once there stood in front of all the women seated inside and encouraged them to “Please give life to your babies. We will help you—don’t despair.” He placed three roses on a chair, left the clinic, and remarkably did not get arrested! (Above, Stephanie Berry arrested defending the unborn).
Meanwhile eight other rescuers were ready to enter the abortion clinic parking lot to talk to women arriving for their abortions, or for their first consultation appointment mandated by Ohio law. Will Goodman, Lauren Handy and myself, Monica Miller—your CPLS director, entered the lot as women were arriving for their appointments. After Will Goodman gave a rose and a pro-life pamphlet to one of the women he left the lot to await the arrival of other clinic customers. Lauren Handy sat near the door of the abortion center to talk to moms as they entered—while Monica Miller approached women as they pulled into the parking lot, encouraging them to choose life, offering material assistance and the red roses.
Fr. Fidelis Moclinski—arrested defending the unborn.
To keep the abortion-minded women away from pro-lifers, this PP deliberately locates the door at the facility’s back parking lot—making sidewalk counseling very difficult—if not impossible. By going directly onto the parking lot the rescuers were able to approach all the women entering the building to offer help to them.
The Bedford Heights police eventually arrived. Your CPLS director had a long conversation with one of the officers who expressed sympathy for our efforts—and I had a great opportunity to explain to him why we needed to be on the clinic parking lot to try and help the mothers. He argued that we were trespassing on clinic property—that there are legal boundaries. I told him—“Love for others has no boundaries—and this abortion clinic has no moral right to draw those lines against our charity for the most defenseless human beings—who once their mothers have decided to kill them, the unborn are abandoned human beings. The unborn have a right to our defense and theses acts of love on their behalf.”
Unfortunately the lieutenant in charge was very hostile and even negotiated with the abortion clinic manager on what would be the charges against us. This collaboration between him and the Planned Parenthood staff resulted in the unprecedented charge against myself and 27-year-old Lauren Handy—“aggravated trespass”—a law which alleges that we trespassed with the intent to “cause physical harm to others.” Absolutely absurd and outrageous!! We were there to STOP physical harm to others—the murderous violence of abortion—Not cause such harm! Pray we are vindicated in our up-coming trial!
Only Lauren Handy and myself were arrested. We spent five hours in the Cuyahoga County Jail in downtown Cleveland before being released. Our first court appearance is June 22nd.
Here’s good news! — while we were on the parking lot — two couples who drove in and were approached simultaneously by the rescuers and clinic staff (who attempted to keep us away from the cars) nonetheless, pulled out of the parking lot and left the clinic. We may count them as potential turn-aways — at least giving the unborn a reprieve from abortion allowing the mothers time to reconsider!
Attached to each rose offered to the mothers is a card which states: “You were made to love and to be loved... your goodness is greater than the difficulties of your situation. Circumstances in life change. A new life, however tiny, brings the promise of unrepeatable joy.” Phone numbers of local pregnancy help centers are printed on the card’s reverse side.
The rescuers, like any others who recognize an urgent situation, respond to dire circumstances of imminent peril in a spirit of intervention on behalf of innocent babies and beleaguered mothers, inspired by Proverbs 24:11 which states: “Rescue those who are being led away to death.”
The Red Rose Rescue is modeled after the pro-life rescue activity of well-known Canadian activist Mary Wagner, who has repeatedly entered Toronto abortion centers and offered red roses to mothers waiting to have their children aborted.
The Red Rose Rescue does not involve the blockading of the clinic entrance or abortion procedure rooms. Should police officers arrive on the scene, pro-lifers attempt to continue conversation with women or sit on the floor praying quietly or singing hymns until they were placed under arrest.
Your CPLS director explains: “The Red Rose Rescue is an act of charity for women who feel, for whatever reason; they must have their innocent unborn children killed. Those who take part are willing to embrace risks for these women and their babies. We will go into the very places where the unborn are put to death and extend help to the moms. Should this help be refused—we will not leave the abortion centers but remain in solidarity with the helpless victims oppressed by the injustice of abortion. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that her work was “to go into the dark holes of the poor.” The Red Rose Rescue is an action of going into the dark holes of the poor—namely abortion clinics where the innocent are rejected—and in these dark holes we seek to bring hope, true peace and the presence of God.”
Your CPLS director arrested at Planned Parenthood in Bedford Hts, Ohio—defending the unborn.
Let us work and pray to end abortion.