Often when we communicate with our supporters, we emphasize our part in big cases such as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – or the teeming lawsuits designed to punish the investigative journalists who exposed Planned Parenthood’s grisly trade in baby body parts. At the close of such communications, we usually mention our daily work or our many other important pro-life commitments.
One recent message from a pro-life sidewalk counselor reminded us that our daily work may well be the most important thing we do.
For the protection of the pro-life prayer warriors, and sidewalk counselors at this location, we will not publish details that could identify the particular pro-lifers involved – or even the murder mill they are opposing. But we can share the words of our correspondent’s message:
God saved a 16 week old baby girl from the clinic this morning. Thank you for defending the defenders that were present this morning.
This communication, of course, conveys good news. Every life saved from the relentless machinery of death operated by the abortion industry is a victory for the whole pro-life movement.
But the message also tells you a lot about the daily operations of Life Legal. The life saved on this occasion is an example of the numerous lives saved by our clients every year.
And the procedure by which life-saving activists were kept in front of the abortion mill in question is also typical.
The pro-lifers involved are well organized and have been laboring to save lives outside this mill (and others) for years. Recently, one of the leaders received a cease-and-desist letter from a high-powered law firm hired by the abortion business. The letter threatened a lawsuit and was intended to intimidate pro-lifers and prevent them from continuing their life-saving, constitutionally protected activities. The letter even dictated a deadline. It gave the pro-lifers a week to surrender or face dire consequences.
Life Legal responded within two days. Where the pro-aborts offered an explicit threat, we presented an implicit promise. With exquisite politeness, we pointed out that pro-life actions were protected under the First Amendment – and asked whether our adversaries thought they could prove otherwise. But our meaning was clear: These aren’t people you can easily shut down with false accusations and threatened lawsuits. We have their backs.
Further letters followed. The abortionists’ lawyers haven’t given up. In the interim, however, pro-lifers have been able to maintain their presences on site.
And at least two verified lives have been saved – by pro-life free speech.
This is the kind of action we at Life Legal take nearly every day. In many instances, a phone call or a letter is enough to keep pro-life activists on the job. Still, the other side knows that we won’t hesitate to go to court – and that we are well able to win there.
That’s why your support accomplishes great things. With your help, we can defend those defenders of life. Your support truly is saving lives!