"Police officers just told us to enjoy ourselves"

News from the Trenches

Planned Parenthood "escorts" twice summoned police during 40 Days for Life vigils outside the 815 Eddy St. clinic in San Francisco after a high school student shared a pro-life rap song from his Ipod with passersby.

Will Campbell, 15, a student a Stuart Hall High School and parishioner at St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco, said the first incident occurred on Saturday, March 7, about 11:30 a.m.

"At the time, I started playing music from my Ipod on my portable speaker," Will told California Catholic Daily. "The Planned Parenthood escorts immediately started jotting down notes, making phone calls, and moving around anxiously (excited that they finally had something to complain about). When the police arrived they simply asked us if we were playing music to ourselves. We said yes and offered to turn it down repeatedly if we needed to, but the police officers just told us to enjoy ourselves. The two officers thought it was no big deal."

Will said the song he was playing is called "Happy Birthday" by the rap artist Flipsyde. To see a video of the song that so upset the Planned Parenthood escorts, Click Here.

During the first incident, Will said, he, his mother and his father were joined by five others praying outside the facility. "There were two Planned Parenthood escorts," he said. "Many people walking down the street, hearing the music, gave thumbs up and thank yous. People going into the clinic obviously were trying to ignore the music, but kept looking over to us praying. Oh and by the way it was sunny!"

On Sunday, March 15, at 12:30 p.m., Planned Parenthood summoned police a second time over the music. "We started playing the music again, and the escorts called the police (again)," said Will. "But this time the officer did nothing but give me a thumbs up."

Will said he decided to join the vigil because of the example of his mother. "I got involved through my mom (she's a Catholic blogger)," he said.