A pro-life Face the Truth Tour has made a stop in Rockford, Illinois.
Rockford is the home of the Northern Illinois Women's Clinic, which has gained nationwide attention for the over-the-top, anti-Christian antics of the owner. About 75 demonstrators have been on hand holding signs of aborted babies. Pro-Life Action League spokesman Eric Scheidler reports that his group has encountered some problems.
"We had a police officer actually order one of our volunteers to take down an American flag that she had posted on her sign. We did not comply with that order and nothing came of it. It was totally unconstitutional," he explains. "The same police officer also ordered somebody to stop photographing the goings on -- also an unconstitutional demand, which was not obeyed."
He notes that there have also been negative comments from passers-by. "Even people who don't like what we're doing with the graphic signs should recognize and understand that if we weren't doing this, the First Amendment would be a lot smaller than it is," Scheidler contends.
However, Kevin Rilott, a local pro-lifer who has demonstrated at the clinic for years, takes a positive view. "We're receiving more positive responses from the passersby than we ever had before -- a lot of thumbs up, a lot of 'good jobs.'" He says there have been a "couple of negative responses, but I'd say it's about 4-to-1 positive."
Rilott assures the group will continue with its prayers and demonstrations until the clinic closes its doors.
Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow
Date Published: August 11, 2010