Great Falls students participate in Planned Parenthood protest Play Video
Posted: Mar 16, 2010 11:41 AM
Updated: Mar 16, 2010 7:21 PM
Great Falls Central Catholic High School students are putting their voices behind the "40 Days for Life" campaign.
Central Catholic sent the students to demonstrate in front of Planned Parenthood on Tuesday morning, and participants say although they're young, they're confident they can make a difference.
Jordan Marquis, a senior, said, "I'm particularly passionate about this issue because not only does it affect the baby and the life that's lost, but it also effects the parents, both the mother and father. So, we're here to pray and show compassion toward those people."
In response to the ongoing protests, Planned Parenthood of Montana communications director Beth Ann Cogswell said, "Planned Parenthood of Montana respects the right of the protesters to express their opinion regarding abortion. We will continue to provide high-quality health care and evidence-based education in an effort to prevent unintended pregnancies."
Cogswell also tells KRTV that the recent protest activity has led to an increase in donations.
(Tuesday morning) Students and staff from Central Catholic High School in Great Falls took to the sidewalk on Tuesday to demonstrate their support for the 40 Days of Life campaign.
The 40 Days For Life group began their campaign in February at around the same time that Planned Parenthood conducted a giveaway of free emergency-contraception packets.
40 Days For Life volunteers refer to themselves as advocates, preferring not to use the term "protesters."
Since then, anywhere from one to five people representing the 40 Days For Life campaign have been posted on the sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood facility every day and into the evening hours, usually holding signs with pro-life messages.
concerned adult at Mar 17th 2010 1:15 PM
These are high school students, most of whom are probably not even of voting age, with no life experiences on which to base these heavy decisions on. In my opinion if you are not 18, an therefore legally an adult, you should not be able to "campaign" for legal issues. This falsifies the amount of support the issues have.
A side note, why aren't these kids in school? Is standing on a corner with a sign more important than an education? I guess so when you are paying for it!
keith morris at Mar 18th 2010 1:30 PM
It is increadibly more important than school! What could possibly be more important than possibly saving someone's life?
ann at Mar 17th 2010 4:52 PM
I think what the kids did was great. One hour of standing up for what you believe in even at the cost of being ridiculed is itself a great education. Very many high school girls are targeted for abortions. Central's kids held signs that gave both hope and another alternative to those facing this type of difficult choice. Their signs had a phone number to call 40 Days for Life. Here, these beautiful young women can get help when they wish to protect their baby. Abortion affects these high school kids a great deal. They have every right to voice their opinion.
m at Mar 19th 2010 2:46 PM
I just wanted to say, I was one of those girls out there. I was so happy to be able to spend an hour of my time reaching out in my community to those in need. We weren't there to condemn anybody. What Jordan said was great, we are there to support mothers and fathers and their unborn children, we want them to know there is help out there. They're not alone, many people are willing and ready to help. I have friends who have gotten pregnant and kept the baby despite everyone around them telling them to abort him or her; they are sooooo happy now. They couldn't imagine anything happening to their child.
Also we want everyone to know that there is help for anyone who is suffering from abortions, whether they or someone they know had one, or they were an abortion doctor or nurse. The hurt goes so deep we can't even imagine. We don't want to condemn them, we want to help them, too.
Thank you Central for doing this!
For Rachael's Vineyard (healing after abortoin) Call 1 877 HOPE 4 ME.