One million pro-lifers have participated in thousands of 40 Days for Life campaigns spanning 60 countries since 2007. Not one has committed an act of violence, and all 40 Days for Life participants are required to sign a Statement of Peace pledging to pursue only peaceful solutions to abortion.
At a few 40 Days for Life vigils, abortion supporters and Antifa agitators have aggressively threatened peaceful prayer volunteers with violence. We quickly hired a professional security firm that employs off-duty police officers to help ensure the safety of peaceful prayer volunteers using their First Amendment rights.
Yesterday, a security guard in Walnut Creek, California used mace on Antifa protesters. A national NBC News segment failed to report the aggression that preceded the use of mace:
To watch the video, click the image or visit:
This video depicts a fraction of the intimidation campaign participants were subject to. Prior to yesterday's incident, 40 Days for Life participants called the police repeatedly to ask for protection from this aggression. Shamefully, the police did not help.
Free speech should be truly free. Instead, 40 Days for Life is spending tens of thousands of dollars for off-duty law enforcement officers to prevent anarchists (who are using Planned Parenthood's parking lot) from silencing pro-lifers peacefully exercising their rights.
We expected and were prepared for abortion supporters who do not share our commitment to peaceful activism. We are grateful that incidents have been extremely rare and thankful for the heroic local leaders, local volunteers, and local and national attorneys helping to ensure the right to peacefully and safely pray for an end to abortion is protected.
To read our full statement, please visit:
40daysforlife.com/walnutcreekstatement
Please pray as we protect our courageous leaders and participants.