By Kathleen Gilbert
OWOSSO, Michigan, September 11, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A pro-life activist was shot multiple times and killed this morning in front of Owosso High School in Michigan, according to local police cited in the Flint Journal newspaper.
Locals say that the victim, James Pouillon of Owosso, was well-known in the area for his pro-life activities. Columnist Doug Powers wrote on his blog that Pouillon, called "the abortion sign guy" by Owosso locals, was known for standing on street corners holding up signs with pictures of aborted children.
Pastor Matt Trehella of Missionaries to the Preborn said today that Pouillon had joined his organization for a few stops of a pro-life tour less than a month ago. "Jim was a selfless, soft-spoken, kind-hearted man. All who knew him, knew this," he said. "Please pray for Jim's family."
Trehella said that Pouillon was an elderly man who needed constant use of an oxygen machine.
Reports indicate that a second individual was shot and killed in a different area of the city shortly afterward, and the two shootings are believed to be related, according to Shiawassee County sheriff George Braidwood. Police confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody at the suspect's home shortly after the 7:30 a.m. shooting.
A black car was parked near the scene of the shooting, where a portable oxygen tank lay in a front yard next to a large sign with the word "Life" and an image of a baby.
In the wake of the tragedy, Fr. Pavone of Priests for Life told LifeSiteNews.com that he hoped to see "a strong expression of indignation from the pro-abortion community, just like there was a strong expression of indignation form the pro-life community at the killing of Dr. Tiller."
Secondly, Fr. Pavone called for "a renewal of unity within the pro-life community, coming to one another's assistance supporting one another, and by no means allowing fear or intimidation to have any role in our lives, but rather to move forward in peaceful organized ways to stand against this evil of abortion."
Developing...
Abortion Wars, Pro-Life's First Martyr - Jim Pouillon: Randall Terry, DC Area Pro-life Leaders to Hold Press Conference. Rev. Rusty Thomas, Missy Smith Hold Press Conference Re: Today's Shooting in Mich.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Press Conference Today, September 11, 1:30 P.M., National Press Club. Randall Terry States: "I've known known Jim for nearly 20 years. He was dedicated, articulate, and courageous. And he gave his life in the service of the babies he sought to defend. We grieve his death, and we will not stop using ANY of the tactics that cost him his life.
"He was known affectionately as 'Jim the Sign Guy.' May God grant him a Martyrs Crown."
Mr. Terry and other DC pro-life leaders will discuss Mr. Pouillon's murder, and how this will effect pro-life activism in the future.
Mr. Terry will discuss Mr. Pouillon's murder in relation to Dr. Tiller's killing.
They will also discuss the Obama Administration's response and the response of the child-killing movement.
Mr. Terry will announce further plans for support of Jim's community.
Press Conference: National Press Club
Where: 529 14th Street Northwest DC 20045 inside the Murrow Room
Time: 1:30 P.M., September 11
Contact: Catherine Veritas, 904-687-9804
Pro-Life Action League Calls on Government Agencies to Provide Equal Protection and Create a Task Force on Violence Against Pro-Life Advocates
Murder of Michigan Pro-Life Advocate Sends Message: Not Safe to Tell the Truth in America
CHICAGO, Sept. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- "We are shocked to learn of the killing of pro-life activist Jim Pouillon, a man who day after day stood as a witness to the violence of abortion. Now he himself is a victim of violence," said Joseph M. Scheidler, national director of the Chicago- based Pro-Life Action League, "Just last month at a clinic on the north side of Chicago a man shouted to one of our counselors, 'I'll get my gun and shoot you through the head.' On a number of occasions, our 'Face the Truth Tour' was threatened with deadly weapons."
"When the late term abortionist, Dr. George Tiller, was murdered, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office launched a federal investigation into federal crimes in connection with the murder, and the Civil Rights Division convened a meeting of the National Task Force on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers," commented Scheidler. "Now the Pro-Life Action League is calling on those government agencies to investigate this murder and established a task force to protect pro-life advocates."
Michigan: A Pro-Life Model State
Throughout the 30 year history of the Pro-Life Action League, Scheidler has spoken on numerous occasions in Michigan because of the powerful grass roots activity there. Even before Roe v. Wade, Michigan held a referendum on abortion, and pro-life won by a margin of 2 to 1. According to Scheidler, "Michigan got busy, was well organized, and has never let up. They are almost a model pro-life state and were imitated by pro-lifers all over America."
Contacts for the media: Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League, Communications Director: (630) 896-1200, (773) 251-8792 (cell) Tom Ciesielka, TC Public Relations: (312) 422-1333
About Pro-Life Action League The Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving unborn children through non-violent direct action. Through prayer vigils outside abortion facilities and sidewalk counseling, the League reaches out to abortion- bound women and couples with abortion alternatives, confidential counseling and access to pregnancy resources.
Since July 2007, the League has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood's flagship abortion facility in Aurora, Ill., dubbed, "Ground Zero" of the abortion battle by abortion supporters and opponents alike. The League has closed eight abortion clinics in Chicago alone and nearly a hundred across the country.
The Pro-Life Action League is a nonprofit organization, supported solely by private donations. For more information, visit www.prolifeaction.org.
