In memory of "The Sign Guy," Jim Pouillon.

Jim Pouillon, with his walker and oxygen tank, constantly reminded townspeople of the gruesome truth that is abortion. He wasn't violent. He had been spit on. Doused in urine. Pelted with condoms.
He didn't retaliate. He didn't fight back. He just stood with his signs, day after day, proclaiming the truth and witnessing to life.

Do I agree with using graphic pictures? Not necessarily.
Though after being at the mill today, it brought a whole reality to what was happening. I looked at the grotesquely torn head of a beautiful baby on that sign, and it reminded me that I wasn't there for myself. Those women being escorted in were about to allow that same heinous thing happen to their child. I started to cry, honestly. I keep my eyes down and closed for longer than a standard blink, in an attempt to keep calm and stay focused on prayer.

Jim is an inspiration. Honestly, as much as I would like to claim I'd die for the pro-life cause, I'm not entirely sure if I would. I've never had a bad experience while pro-lifing. I really hope I have the strength that it wouldn't deter me from future endeavors. But I would not find a spot, every day, to stand and hold signs all day. I don't have that kind of dedication.
Jim Pouillon did. Even with his emphysema and leg braces, he made the effort to get out and raise awareness in the community.

Drake, the gunman, did in fact murder him for this reason.

It's interesting to see the comments on newspaper's websites. I remember when Tiller was killed, even pro-lifers sent the message, "This is wrong. He's in our prayers." Pro-choicers, however, collectively said of Pouillon, "What do you think will happen when you provoke people all the time? He got what he was asking for."

Honestly, though, we need to stop pinning each other as malicious, mean-spirited, and cruel. Depending on which news source you referred to, Pouillon could sound like a total creep maniac, or he could be painted as a martyr and a saint.

The fact of the matter is there will always be crazies on both sides who will incite violence. Now, to be truly pro-life, you should also be pro-peace. Keeps you from hypocrisy.

At any rate, let's keep Jim in our prayers, as well as his gunman. Everyone needs prayers, not just the righteous. Pray for his gunman's repentance, all. Everyone needs salvation.

Especially those babies.

Praying in Pittsburgh.

I went with Students for Life this morning to the mills in Pittsburgh. There was a good sixty of us, with maybe eight counsellors. We got a special blessing at Mass and were on our way. I broke my record of most consecutive prayers said, ever. I don't think I've ever spent four hours straight in prayer.

Anyways, I think they must be used to our presence there. No one really asked any questions, or made crass remarks. The Deathscorts didn't even bother us. Granted, I don't know how much they got in the way of the counsellors, but they didn't interrupt our praying or hymns.

I want to know what kind of people look at a mill, though, and think "This is a safe place." The two mills our groups were praying outside of today were very disconcerting. Peeling paint, scratched-up windows, cracking sidewalks. Located next to an empty storefront and a tobacco gallery. Most of the "pro-choice escorts," as the neon yellow t-shirts read, were male.

The clinic didn't seem very busy. At the Planned Parenthood in Metropolitan DC, there were women coming in every few minutes. During the course of the three hours I was at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center, I only saw four or five girls go inside.
I'm hoping that, by the time I'm a senior here, one of the two clinics will shut down.

Please keep Jim Pouillon in your prayers, all.