Anti-abortion group displays graphic message
By Julie Scheurer
© 2002 The Advocate

NEWARK -- Trucks with graphic images of aborted fetuses generated strong emotions Monday on the Courthouse Square.

The California-based Center for Bio-Ethical Reform is putting a new spin on its position against abortion with its Reproductive "Choice" campaign.

At the core of the campaign are the trucks, which the organization is taking across the country in an attempt to change people's minds about abortion. They were in Newark and Heath on Monday and plan to continue driving throughout the area today.

Along with the pictures of the aborted, 10-week fetuses is the word "Choice" in bold, black letters, an obvious reference to those who support abortion.

"American people have been lied to by pro-choice advocates when they say he's not human, he's just a blob of tissue," said Mark Harrington, Midwest regional director for the organization. "These pictures are irrefutable evidence that they've been lying."

But Emily Rutherford, chairwoman of the local organization Women With Options, said it is the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform that is deceiving Americans. She found the images to be distorted because the fetus looked so large, even with a quarter and dime pictured next to it.

"This is a very serious personal decision for a woman. There is no recognition, at least on their sign, that (the women) are trying to make the best decision they can," she said. "I kind of wish on my car I could put up a big sign 'Trust women,' and follow them around."

Just as in the abortion issue itself, everyone seemed to have an opinion about the trucks, ranging from support to disgust.

Julie Taylor, of Thornsville, and Janon Shaner, of Brownsville, said the trucks definitely got their attention, but did not offend them.

They both are split on the issue, but feel that the trucks educate women so they can make the best decisions.

"It's just real," Shaner said.

Amy Gantt agreed.

"I think it lets people know what happens when babies are aborted, which they need to know," said Gantt, who described her position as against abortion. "They need to know the truth."

However, many people found the images disgusting and inappropriate.

Leslee Mathias of Newark, who believes a woman should have the right to choose, found it hard to eat her lunch as the trucks circled the square.

"They're ignorant," Mathias said of the drivers. "Even if people were on their side, then they sure wouldn't be after this. That's just what I want to see during my lunch hour."

The trucks operate during lunch time because more people are around, Harrington said. Saving the lives of unborn children is more important than people's lunch, he said.

"The bottom line is Americans don't deserve a peaceful lunch hour as long as we're doing this to babies," he said.

However, some who do not support abortion oppose the organization's tactics.

"I think it's terrible," said Lisa Black, of Newark, who does not favor the right to choose an abortion. "Life is definitely precious, but to me, I think this degrades that life."

Denise Sims, of Alexandria, also is against abortion but feels other methods would be more effective.

"If they really want to make a difference, why don't they talk to people?" she asked. "I think they just want to drive around saying: 'Look at me.'"

Harrington contends that people such as Black and Sims may disagree with abortion, but they are too concerned with what people think about them to really take a stand.

He said the trucks are working, which he can prove with the voicemail messages and e-mails from people who have changed their minds about abortion after seeing the trucks.

Like it or not, Harrington said, the trucks will travel on.

"As long as citizens continue killing babies, we're going to show the American people what it looks like," he said.