Police chief responds, "he can pray at home or anywhere", except near abortion center
By John Connolly
AURORA, Illinois, December 12, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A YouTube video shows police monitoring a peaceful protest in a Chicago suburb who threatened to arrest a man that was not part of the protest because he was praying while walking his baby in a stroller on the sidewalk near a huge Planned Parenthood abortion facility.
Aurora resident Roger Earl was walking his baby and praying from a prayer book on November 17 when police confronted him and told him he couldn't be there.
"I wasn't planning to be part of the protest today," said Earl. "I didn't realize that I was breaking any law by walking along the sidewalk praying."
A pro-life worker has put a video on YouTube of Roger Earl talking with reporters after his confrontation with police officials.
Earl was near the protest because his wife was sidewalk counseling, and he was watching their infant. Police approached him and warned him twice and then threatened to arrest him even after he denied being part of the protest.
Earl was praying and wearing an insignia indicating he opposed abortion, according to Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli. Aurora Police Chief William Powell callously dismissed the excessive police enforcement, linking prayer near an abortion center to a legal protest.
"If he's praying here, he's here because of the building," Powell said. "He can pray at home or anywhere."
Jason Craddock, one of the attorneys for Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood and the Pro-Life Action League, said the incident was a blatant example of anti-picketing enforcement.
See interview with Roger Earl over his arrest threat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTRkpKaJZ3k
See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:
Assaulted Sidewalk Counselor Speaks Out about Abortion and Miscarriage of Justice
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/feb/07021206.html
Abortion Clinic and Security Face Lawsuit after Christendom College Student Injured
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/may/05050404.html
Pro-Lifers Counseling outside Dallas Abortion Center Assaulted
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/aug/04081003.html
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"
