This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Beland (talk | contribs) at 04:27, 14 May 2007 (Clean up speculation and tags, preparing for merge). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 04:27, 14 May 2007 by Beland (talk | contribs) (Clean up speculation and tags, preparing for merge)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Pro-life activism involves a variety of activities, from promoting the pro-life position to the public in general, lobbying public officials, or reaching individuals - for example by attempting to dissuade individual women to forgo abortions. Some efforts involve distributing literature, providing counseling services, conducting public demonstrations or protests, commiting acts of civil disobedience, and in extreme cases commiting acts of violence.
Free ultrasound
One type of pro-life activism is giving free ultrasound scans to pregnant women who are considering an abortion. These usually take place at a crisis pregnancy center. The theory behind this practice is the belief that the pregnant woman will decide to carry to term once she views images of the fetus. Federal funding is provided for crisis pregnancy centers, many of which provide free ultrasounds.
The Life Chain
- Main article: Life Chain
The "Life Chain" is a public demonstration technique that involves simply standing in a row on sidewalks holding signs with pro-life (not always anti-abortion) messages. Historically, the most often used message has been "Abortion Kills Children" but other signs have been produced for use by Life Chainers that include, "Abortion Hurts Women", "God Heal Our Land", "God Bless America", "Jesus Forgives and Heals", "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "Jesus Loves You". Life Chainers, as an official policy, do not yell or chant slogans and do not block pedestrians or roadways. This type of demonstration is extremely common, but some anti-abortion demonstrators question the effectiveness of this tactic. Many Right to Life chapters hold Life Chain events yearly.
The rescue
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Pro-life activism" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
A "rescue operation" involves Pro-Life activists standing in front of an abortion clinic in order to prevent anyone from entering. The stated goal of this practice is to force the clinic to shut down for the day. Often, the protesters are removed by law enforcement. Some clinics were protested so heavily in this fashion that they closed down permanently. "The rescue" was first attempted by Operation Rescue. Ever since former president Bill Clinton signed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act into law, the rescue has rarely been attempted. Some consider it "peaceful civil disobedience" but others fear that the openly confrontational nature of rescue operations may inflame an already touchy situation to violence.
The die-in
The die-in is a variation of a protest by the same name which was first done to protest the Vietnam War. In the pro-life die-in, protesters fall to the ground in the fetal position. Often this is used to gain attention, in order for groups to distribute literature, and engage in conversation with the onlookers. Those on the ground do not move, hand out literature, or talk. Very few groups use this tactic, however Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust frequently use this method.
The truth display
| This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Pro-life activism" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
In a "truth display", protesters go to an area intending to display pictures of aborted fetuses. Though this sparks anger and controversy, some pro-life groups believe this is the most effective way of explaining their position. The members of one group based out of Riverside, California, known as Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, have been jailed numerous times for these types of displays which they set up both legally and illegally on university campuses. Pro-Life Action League's Face the Truth displays are another example a "truth display".
A major point of disagreement among pro-lifers is whether displaying pictures of "the abortion holocaust", as they call it, is really necessary. Though many believe in the truthfulness of "truth displays", many feel that it is sufficient to display informative images of perfectly healthy fetuses in order to demonstrate their humanity, not their suffering. Proponents of these "shock tactics" argue that, unless people realize the precise nature of abortion methods/procedures and their tangible results, the pro-life position can never succeed.
Sidewalk counseling
Main article: Sidewalk counseling"Sidewalk counseling" is a form of pro-life activism which is conducted outside of abortion clinics. Activists seek to communicate with those entering the building, or with passersby in general, in an effort to persuade them not to have an abortion or to reconsider their position on the morality of abortion. They do so by trying to engage in conversation, displaying signs, distributing literature, or giving directions to a nearby crisis pregnancy center.
The "Chicago Method"
The "Chicago Method" is an approach to sidewalk counseling that involves giving those about to enter an abortion facility copies of lawsuits filed against the facility or its physicians. The name comes from the fact that it was first used by Pro-Life Action League in Chicago. The intent of the Chicago Method is to turn the woman away from a facility that the protesters deem "unsafe", thus giving her time to reconsider her choice to abort.
Violence as a form of activism
Main article: Abortion-related violence
See also
References
- ^ Hill v. Colorado (98-1856) 530 U.S. 703 (2000). Retrieved December 13, 2006.
- "Controversy in the Activist Movement", Pro-Life Action News, August 2000
- "The "Chicago Method": Sidewalk Counseling that appeals to the Mother's concerns for her own well-being", Priests for Life