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Church members rally against abortion
By: CATHY REDFERN - Staff Writer
Saturday protest is peaceful | ∞
Among those joining in an anti-abortion demonstration at Newport and Murrieta roads in Menifee Saturday were Sun City residents Pat Bavardo, left, and Casey Clarke.
STEVE THORNTON Staff Photographer
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MENIFEE ---- More than 60 demonstrators ringed the intersection of Newport and Murrieta roads Saturday, hoisting signs in protest of legal abortion.
The peaceful rally was organized by the Pro-Life Ministry at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Sun City.
The group has held semi-annual demonstrations for five years, said Menifee resident Sharon Fullilove, a co-organizer of the event. This year, they plan to do four, she said.
Group members hit the streets in January and October, she said, to coincide with the Catholic Church's "Sanctity of Life Month" in January and a "Sanctity of Life Sunday" designation in October. Also, Jan. 22 marks the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in all states.
Saturday afternoon, demonstrators of all ages stood at the busy corner, getting honks and waves of encouragement from drivers. One participant said they usually get one or two discouraging signals or remarks, but got only positive responses Saturday.
Melissa Hernandez, 19, of Menifee stood along Newport Road with her parents and 17-year-old sister, Monique, while holding her 11-month-old son, Adrian.
"If you make a baby, you should take care of it, or at least let someone else," she said.
Earlier Saturday, 10 members held a prayer session in front of a San Bernardino clinic, Family Planning Associates, which is something they do every month, Fullilove said.
Last year, the group gave out 254 gift bags to women who stopped to talk to them at the clinic and later decided not to have an abortion, she said. The bags contain handmade blankets and other baby gear.
"God does it all," Fullilove said. "And I'm happy to see so many young people out here today. It's a good turnout."
Joe Martina, 77, of Sun City, stood at the corner Saturday behind a five-foot sign with a baby's face and the word "Life" at the top.
Martina said he lost a son in a car accident some years ago, which led him to work in the anti-abortion movement to prevent the death of children. He has held vigil at Family Planning Associations in San Bernardino three times each week for 21 years, he said.
"I know the loss and I know some women, not all, will suffer from the loss (if they have an abortion)," he said. "And it will be knowledge that comes too late.
"There are so many resources to help if someone wants to keep their baby."
Travis Edwards, 18, of Temecula, was working as a sign twirler near the demonstrators and said he thought it was good they were out expressing their opinion. He said he has not solidified his opinion on abortion, but says he doesn't think he would be for it.
"I wouldn't want to kill something," he said. "That's not cool."
Jim Duke, 72, of Sun City, a former long-haul trucker, helped organize the demonstration. A straight-talker, Duke says he volunteers with the ministry to stop what he believes is an act of murder.
"'Pro-choice' is such a silly word," he said. "The woman is the only one who has the choice. They should call it what it is."
Contact staff writer Cathy Redfern at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or credfern@californian.com.
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citizen wrote on Jan 27, 2008 9:23 AM:Maybe before they rally they should teach their children about birth control and abstinance. A teen mother at this type of really almost promotes teeenagers becoming mothers. Statistics on teenage mothers not completing high school and getting a higher education it high.
Pro choice wrote on Jan 27, 2008 9:43 AM: If life begins at conception, why don't Christians hold funerals after miscarriages?
Karl wrote on Jan 27, 2008 10:20 AM:If a pregnant women is murdered why is the perp charged with 2 murders?
Freedom of choice wrote on Jan 27, 2008 11:01 AM:I certainly do not mind that some people believe that life starts at conception. That is their choice and they do not have to have an abortion. But for those that do not hold the belief that life starts at conception and decide an abortion is their best choice then they should be able to exercise that choice.
Why to anti-abortion types want more big government and intervention into the lives of others?
I believe that freedom of choice is a basic founding principle in this country if that choice does not infringe highly on the lives of others.
Anti-abortion activists are just another form of urban terrorists and should be treated as such when they burn and bomb clinics and kill those providing care to the ones that want the freedom to choose the direction of their lives.
Mike wrote on Jan 27, 2008 11:32 AM:Pro-life people should really call themselves pro-fetus. How many of them have adopted kids. How many of them vote to cut welfare. How many of them take in foster kids. Wake up and realize that you should have no say in what someone else does with their body.
missmarple wrote on Jan 27, 2008 3:33 PM:If a pregnant women is murdered why is the perp charged with 2 murders
Depends on where the killing took place Note the recent case of the pregnant marine.Her murderer can only be charged with 1 murder, so that destroys your argument.
Robert wrote on Jan 27, 2008 3:46 PM:Mike, you are right- no one should have any say in what I do with my body. I should be able to do whatever I want without anyone stopping me. No one has the right to tell me not to assault others, destroy the environment, murder children, take other's property, etc.
To freedom of choice wrote on Jan 27, 2008 3:53 PM:It is not a matter of whatever one chooses to believe. It is a matter of holding to views that correspond to reality. Because of biology, genetics, and philosophy I believe that life begins at conception. There is no other option unless you want to throw in an arbitrary criterion (e.g. size, location, degree of development and/or degree of dependency, etc.) that falls apart under the slightest degree of scrutiny. I fear that many in the pro choice camp have not thought through what they are advocating and they are supporting the largest genocide of our age. It is a sad day when people take pride in allowing the deaths of the most defenseless members of our society.
Concerned wrote on Jan 27, 2008 4:11 PM:I am as concerned as can be with the situation of the mother, the empowerment of women and the difficulties of raising a child. And we all need to work to ensure that the best happens in each of those areas. But all of those concerns are irrelevant to the ultimate question in this debate: what is the nature of the unborn? If the unborn is not a human, there is no reason to justify killing it. If the unborn is a human, there is no justification adequate to kill it.
to Mike wrote on Jan 27, 2008 4:34 PM:Mike,
I am pro-life, have one child and want to have more kids. My wife and I would love to adopt a child and are working to do so. Further, we support programs to help children and families in need. And we are not alone.
It is a Choice wrote on Jan 27, 2008 6:54 PM:You should thank your lucky stars your mom chose to have you.
I have no choice wrote on Jan 27, 2008 7:39 PM:I have no choice but to believe what corresponds to reality. I am pro-life because of biology, genetics and reason. There is no other rational alternative- human life begins at conception. All of the criteria for human life that people throw out (e.g. size, level of development, degree of dependency, location, etc.) fall apart at the slightest scrutiny.
Chris wrote on Jan 27, 2008 7:39 PM:Why is it the woman is the only person who has a choice? Shouldn't the man have a choice as well. After all, the man doesn't have a choice if the State wants to go after him for child support?
Concerned wrote on Jan 27, 2008 7:41 PM:I am concerned for the situation of mothers in trouble, unwanted children, etc. We should work hard to take care of everyone in need. However, these concerns are a separate issue and are subordinate to the ultimate question re abortion: what is the nature of the unborn? If the unborn is not human, then no justification is needed to abort. If the unborn is human, then no justification is sufficient.
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