Anti-Abortion Protesters Take Message to White Marsh
Demonstrators received mixed responses from drivers between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday.
Photos
This article is a follow-up to White Marsh Protest Not Expected to Disrupt Traffic and Anti-Abortion Demonstrators Coming to Baltimore, Harford Counties.
Carrying signs that read “Honk for Life” and photographs of aborted fetuses, anti-abortion protesters demonstrated near the corner of Campbell and Honeygo boulevards in White Marsh Friday afternoon.
It was part of the 11th Annual Face the Truth Tour, organized by Defend Life, a Baltimore-based non-profit organization. The tour has swept areas of West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Maryland since July 25.
“[The response] has been mixed, but for the most part it’s been pretty positive,” said Maggie Egger, a 20-year-old student who helped organize the protest. “But you always get a few fingers and people yelling.”
She said that police asked demonstrators to move their vehicles from the adjacent Johns Hopkins at White Marsh parking lot shortly after they arrived.
Security guards from IKEA and White Marsh Mall said they also prevented participants from parking in their lots.
Danielle Lawver, a medical assistant at Johns Hopkins visited the protesters during a work break and thanked them for raising awareness.
“I know that it’s really hard for people to look at these photos. It’s sad, you look at these and think, ‘I can’t do that,’” Lawver said. “I’m pro-choice, but I think it’s the woman who should decide not to abort.”
But Kim Miller, an office assistant at the medical center, said the demonstration was offensive.
“People are going to do what they want to do anyway. I don’t think they need to be out there,” Miller said.
Danielle Wallace
7:04 pm on Friday, July 29, 2011
I am open to people having their own opinions, but I have a problem with the blown up pictures of aborted fetuses. I will never forget when my 11 year old was 4 or 5 and we drove past these pictures and started screaming. She wanted to know why people were holding up pictures of "monsters". She had nightmares for WEEKS! If you want to put forth a message, that is fine, but what about the children that are forced to ensure these photos? I feel that is very inconsiderate!
Danielle Wallace
7:05 pm on Friday, July 29, 2011
Endure, not ensure, I apologize.
RGR
12:47 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
I thought the pictures have been a bit too graphic in the past (haven't seen them this year) but oh what open-minded, free-speech-loving White Marsh Mall and Ikea owners there are. What harm could there be from people parking on their huge lots which have ample spaces? I guess the owners only like free speech and being open-minded when it's about their causes.
nancy sumpter
1:47 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
I am happy that Americans have the freedom of speech and religion, and that some are passionate about issues. The worst attitude is apathy. My opinion therefore is equally as important as the right to lifers. Women are sometimes abused, and forced to have unwanted pregnancies and deserve the right to an early termination. No one has the right to tell a girl or woman she has to have a baby. I believe that abortions should not be performed after the first trimester, and that adoption should be an easy solution for her. And yes, the graphic pictures are R rated, I've seen them.
Rose
9:42 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Of course, they have the right to demonstrate, just like the KKK & any other crazy group in American. But, this about a woman's right to medical attention. If you don't agree with it, then don't have an abortion. It would be nice, if no woman had to come to the decision to abort. But, that's just not reality. Why aren't these protesters signing up to adopt every unwanted baby that is born?