Family Planning Associates, Miramar Road, San Diego, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 News from the Trenches There were about a dozen prayer warriors throughout the morning, plus four sidewalk counselors. When David and Roger arrived about 7:20 a.m., the parking lot was empty. The first few cars coming in zoomed past the sidewalk counselors without stopping. Roger finally was able to stop a car with two Caucasian women (it appeared to be a mother-daughter, or older sister-younger sister duo, because of the age difference). The driver stopped, but seemed reluctant to roll down the window. She opened it just a few inches and took the flyer as Roger started to explain the litigation history of the abortionist. It seemed that a light bulb suddenly went on in her head that we were pro-life, and she quickly said, "OK, thank you," as she sped forward, tossing the flyer out the window as she drove in. She and the passenger walked immediately up into the abortion mill. When Anne arrived, one of the employees from a nearby furniture store in the same center as FPA asked Anne where the abortion clinic was. When Anne told her, she said, "Good, so when there is a bombing, we won't get hurt." Anne asked her what she meant by "bombing," and she said that abortion protesters bomb clinics. Anne told her she had no intention of this, and that we pray for those up there. The woman said maybe Anne wouldn't do it but "extremists" would. A short while later, Anne spoke with two girls on their way to FPA. She gave them information and showed the girl a picture of what her baby would look like. Before she could talk further, the guard told the driver of the car to pull aside, so other cars could pass (there were no other cars behind them). This was enough to frighten them off and they left. Anne spoke with another two women. She was only able to give them information about the doctor. They seemed concerned and drove over to the far east side of the parking lot and stayed there for about 20 minutes. They went up into FPA, but came out about 30 minutes later. Anne saw them give each other a hug as the stood on the balcony outside of the abortion mill. When they left, Anne said she was glad they decided to leave. The woman said they were just there for birth control. Anne said "thank God" that they did not have the abortion. She wished them well and prayed that whatever happened was in favor of life. Anne then talked in detail to two other young women who came from Riverside. The woman going in for the abortion had a 4 year old and Anne showed the woman a picture of what her preborn baby looks like, and told her she was a mommy and that she would regret this decision for the rest of her life. She said she was only 21. She talked with her about other choices and offered to call COLFS. They parked in their car for sometime but went in. Roger spoke to an African American couple in their late 20s. They listened as he gave them information about the abortionist, the fact that one of the nurses is on probation for narcotics abuse, and that several women had told us about complications they had after abortions at FPA. When he started to tell them about the risks and side effects of an abortion, the woman had a cold look on her face, and the man started rolling the car forward. Roger walked with them a few steps and warned them of the emotional trauma she would experience, but they accelerated into the parking lot. A Caucasian couple in their mid 20s with a toddler in a car seat in back drove in and slowed slightly as Roger approached them. The woman was wearing sunglasses. The man kept his window rolled up and casually waved Roger away while driving in. They turned toward the abortion mill and slowed a little, then turned back down one of the parking aisles and did several laps around the parking lot without looking at the buildings or slowing much, as if they arguing about whether to park or leave. They continued to the east end of the lot away from FPA, then drove out the east exit, away from the sidewalk counselors. We can't be certain that they were there for an abortion, but it may have been a turn-around, as none of the stores in the center were open that early in the morning, and it was odd the way they drove laps around the parking lot without pausing, or looking for anything. "Then how can you kill it?"
Roger spoke with two Caucasian women in their early 20s. The passenger looked tired and distraught. She leaned forward with a worried look as Roger explained about the abortionist and the problems other women had experienced. She admitted it was her first abortion, and that she was about 9 weeks pregnant. Roger showed her a picture of a 6-week-old preborn baby, but the driver could sense it was disturbing the woman in the passenger seat, so she turned it over. He told the woman in the passenger seat to read the information carefully before going in, and that she should not rush into this, as she could not take back the abortion once it is done. He then handed her a rubber fetal model of a 12-week-old preborn baby and a pink Rosary, and told her she should pray about this. She said, "I can't deal with this right now, but thank you for the information about the doctor." The driver rolled up the window and they drove into the lot and parked. They spent no time reading the flyers, but went straight up into the mill. Luis spoke to a young couple. They were each about 16 years old -- juniors in high school. The boy was driving and was very concerned when Luis showed him the brochure giving the abortionist's malpractice history. "Are you sure he was suspended twice?" he asked. Luis told him he could check on the Medical Board website if he wanted to verify this, and gave him a medical board brochure with their website. He addressed the girl in the passenger seat, telling her about the physical and psychological consequences of abortion, including the fact that women who have aborted have a six times higher risk of suicide, as well as a higher risk of alcoholism and drug addiction. Luis showed her and gave her a fetal model of a 10-week-old pre-born baby telling her and showing her that at that stage it is a little, nearly perfectly formed human being with a heart beat and brain waves. He told them that he had spoken to several women over the years that had abortions and they regretted doing it. But all the women he knew who kept the baby for themselves, or gave the baby for adoption, were happy with their decision. He showed her a photo of the dismembered remains of an aborted 11-week-old baby. She began to tear up when she saw this. He told both of them to consider that this was their daughter or son they were planning on doing this to. He told them that this child could be their best friend someday, and grow up to do great things. He gave them a business card for COLFS and told them that the doctor there did not do abortions, but he would see them for free to do an ultrasound and check her health. He asked them if they belonged to a religious denomination. They said they did not. He told them that some day they would have to stand before God and give an accounting of what they did in this life. He told them that what they were contemplating was the killing of a little human being. He asked them if perhaps they would like to see a good doctor today, and that he could call for them. The girl shook her head no. He told them that perhaps they could go somewhere and discuss this over a cup of coffee. The boy nodded and said they would think about it. They parked and talked for 5 to 10 minutes, then they got out of the car and walked toward the stairs leading up to the mill. Luis saw Anne move in to a position to intercept them. For about 20 minutes Anne spoke to them. Luis observed from a distance and got on his knees and began to pray the Rosary. The girl, "S," cried when Anne showed her what her 12-week-old preborn baby looked liked. She discussed adoption and talking with her parents about this, and Anne told her she knew her parents would support her if she chose life. The young girl said she could not give her baby away, and Anne said, "Then how can you kill it?" While they were talking, another lady passed by and asked Anne if she was a protester. The woman told the couple they did not have to listen to Anne, but the couple laughed at the woman. Then they talked alone for a while, came back, and the girl said to the boyfriend, "Let's leave." Luis noticed that the guard who had been sitting in his car decided to go to where Anne was speaking with the couple, and when the guard approached them, they became frightened and suddenly went up the stairs and into the mill. They hesitated right before they went in. Luis looked at his watch and it read 10:25, so about 45 minutes had elapsed from his first intercepting them, to their going in to the mill. On the way out Luis spoke with the guard and told him that if something happened to that 16-year-old girl, her blood was on his hands. Please pray for this couple. -- Anne, Luis, Roger, and David
Friday, February 11, 2011
From California Catholic: News from the Trenches
