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Dr. Brigham's interest in setting up an abortion business in the Professional Building has been a matter of grave concern to much of the Erie community, including People for Life, since last October when Brigham's ads for "Abortions to 24 weeks" were first noticed in the Erie area Yellow Pages. Nevertheless, People for Life president Tim Broderick reacted with some surprise on Tuesday to news reports indicating that Dr. Brigham still intends to move ahead with his plans. "There has been a real groundswell of opposition to the proposed abortion facility - within the Erie community and throughout northwestern Pennsylvania," noted Broderick. "No one, to my knowledge, has spoken out in favor of Dr. Brigham or his project." In December and early January over 19,500 signatures were collected from people "squarely opposed" to the introduction of an abortion facility in the Erie area. On January 15, 2000, over 800 area residents came out in freezing winter weather to take part in a march & motorcade in opposition to the abortion facility. More that 45 sidewalk demonstrations have taken place, two or three each week since late October. People for Life has a roster with the names of over 450 people who have joined in these demonstrations. That list of names continues to grow. People who have demonstrated near abortion facilities in other cities are often amazed by the very frequent expressions of support for our demonstrators from passing motorists, as well as the relative absence of negative expressions. Other groups taking an active role in opposing the abortion facility include the Erie Men of Integrity, which sponsored a demonstration at the Professional Building early last winter, and the Shield of Roses prayer group, which meets at the Professional Building to pray every Saturday morning. Two new pro-life groups for professionals have been organized, Lawyers for Life and Health Professionals Against Abortion. On March 11, the weekly Saturday demonstration at the Professional Building was attended by church and student groups from as far away as Pittsburgh, PA and Buffalo and Rochester, NY. An estimated 150 - 175 people picketed the Professional Building for about three hours. The Erie community has given every indication that opposition to an abortion facility will certainly continue even if such a facility is established. And there is every reason to believe that the opposition will only increase. In anticipation of the possible opening of this abortion facility, a "sidewalk counseling" workshop is now scheduled for May 27, 2000. Genuine compassion for women and concern for unborn children will necessitate a pro-life presence around and about the Professional Building to ensure that abortion-minded women know that they can choose real alternatives to abortion - alternatives which will allow their babies to live. The workshop will be presented by Ann Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League of Chicago.
1625 WEST 26TH STREET P.O. BOX 1126 ERIE, PA 16512
People for Life, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit, citizen's organization committed to affirming the intrinsic value of human life. People for Life is dedicated to advancing true justice by working for the protection of all innocent human lives, whatever the age, race, sex, physical condition, economic status, or place of residence (including the womb). People for Life encourages local involvement through education, political awareness, and the promotion of loving alternatives to the primitive and violent "solutions" of abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia. Together, we can create a society in which all human lives are held sacred. |