{"id":22404,"date":"2015-12-09T07:51:31","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T13:51:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=22404"},"modified":"2015-12-09T07:51:31","modified_gmt":"2015-12-09T13:51:31","slug":"anti-abortion-activists-bring-caroling-to-west-loop-clinic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/anti-abortion-activists-bring-caroling-to-west-loop-clinic\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-abortion activists bring caroling to West Loop clinic"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jasmine M. Ellis<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the midst of tension between pro-abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion protesters from various groups, Christmas carolers gathered in front of a West Loop abortion provider on December 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

In frigid temperatures, escorts from The Clinic Vest Project accompanied people to and from the clinic past anti-abortion activists who sang Christmas carols and spoke about God\u2019s love for the patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Organized by the Pro-Life Action League, such \u201cEmpty Manger\u201d Christmas Caroling events are taking place across the country until December 19.<\/span><\/p>\n

The group\u2019s website lists a \u201cChicago Caroling Tour\u201d scheduled for December 19 visiting four locations, including a Planned Parenthood and Family Planning Associates Medical Group, the target of the December 5 event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meg Meehan, co-organizer of the December 5 event, said the group wanted to show \u201cwe are very caring and want to help these women.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially with the attacks that are going on, the pro-life movement is not a violent movement,\u201d Meehan continued. \u201cAnd it\u2019s really sad that a lot of pro-lifers are seen as violent people…To combat this terrible perception that people have of pro-lifers, I think we need to bring a little bit of Christmas joy and singing and bring the spirit of life back. We\u2019re very peaceful people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A representative from Family Planning Associates Medical Group declined to comment. Along with abortion, the clinic provides services such as birth control visits, STI\/STD testing and ultrasound exams. <\/span><\/p>\n

Meehan said that every year the goal of the caroling \u201cis always the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo plant seeds in people\u2019s minds,\u201d she continued. \u201cTo give them a different view of what pro-lifers are…to hopefully change hearts and minds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Veronica Price said that she receives information from the Pro-Life Action League about \u201clife and where people are gathering to support it.\u201d Price said she believes that life begins at conception, her view on a central part of the debate over abortion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that a baby in the womb should have personhood just as outside the womb,\u201d she said. \u201cI don’t think there\u2019s any difference…Life in the earliest stage is just as valuable as the stage that we\u2019re in right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m going to sleep with someone then, I need to accept that I can get pregnant,\u201d she continued. \u201cAnd take on the responsibility of that baby or ensure that baby is adopted. Not kill that baby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While Price held a sign at the protest, Jozi Deak used the carols to spread her message.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cl love to sing anything to praise God and to worship God,\u201d she said. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a pro-life prayer warrior and counselor, we find it to be a blessing to sing Christmas carols, because it is about the birth of the Lord Jesus,\u201d Deak said. \u201cWe pray that other people would hear our songs and The Holy Spirit would touch their hearts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Deak is not a member of the Pro-Life Action League. But she \u201cbelieve(s) that all Christians who love and serve God, they stand for the sanctity of human life.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Photo at top: Anti-abortion activists sang Christmas carols and prayed on the sidewalk outside Family Planning Associates Medical Group. As patients passed them on the sidewalk, pro-abortion rights supporters shielded them from the carolers. (Jasmine M. Ellis\/Medill)<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Jasmine M. Ellis In the midst of tension between pro-abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion protesters from various groups, Christmas carolers gathered in front of a West Loop abortion provider on December 5. 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Ellis In the midst of tension between pro-abortion rights supporters and anti-abortion protesters from various groups, Christmas carolers gathered in front of a West Loop abortion provider on December 5. 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