Ending Abortion in our Lifetime: Is It Possible?

By Josie Wichrowski, NCLN Summer Intern

My second day working for NCLN, I found myself in the midst of a once-in-a-life-time pro-life rally. It was the  Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform’s (CCBR) New Abortion Caravan Launch in Downtown Vancouver; the very same students and CCBR staff who I met just a few days prior at a house gathering, enjoying some light-hearted conversation and games. Now they weren’t playing games, but were in full pro-life activism might.

I hadn’t fully experienced what CCBR was about prior to this rally, and I have never been so impressed at such a well planned event as that which they held in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. I was also impressed with the four amazing pro-life speakers: SFU professor Dr. Alexander Moens, WeNeedaLAW director Mike Schouten, and CCBR’s Activism Facilitator Ruth Lobo and Executive Director Stephanie Gray. Each were standing at the steps of our historic court house—now Vancouver Art Gallery— and one by one they addressed the crowd of pro-life supporters, explaining why we need to show Canada these graphic images and continue to advocate for the preborn’s right to life.

There are mixed feelings regarding the graphic nature of these pictures, and it’s something I had to grapple with myself, as they are unpleasant to see. However, after I attended CCBR’s presentation that same evening on How to EndtheKilling in our Lifetime, the question I found I needed to ask, and that we all need to ask is: If we feel outraged by these photos, wouldn’t that really mean we should be outraged by the act of abortion? Pro-lifers don’t like these images as much as the next person, but you cannot deny the fact that these photos of aborted fetuses depict the reality and outcome of committing abortion.

I now understand why graphics are an effective means to communicate our pro-life message. Schouten comments on this fact too, that many people may be appalled — both pro-choice and pro-life — with the New Abortion Caravan’s graphic display on the seven-foot-high, twenty-foot-long billboards on the two trucks. However, he explained the reason for their use, quoting from Greg Cunningham:

“Injustice that is invisible inevitably becomes tolerable. But injustice that is made visible inevitably becomes intolerable.”

That is the reason for CCBR’s Canadian tour on How to EndtheKilling in our Lifetime.

When people see these images, people will know that abortion is something that should be intolerable, and that fetuses are indeed persons who deserve the same rights as we do; exposing these photos to the world is in the name of justice and calling for equality for all.

What I find inspiring is that throughout CCBR’s tour, people are having a change of heart. Their website lists numerous conversion stories where people who were pro-choice are now definitely pro-life after seeing these images. This is a wonderful triumph for the pro-life movement and this change in people’s opinion upon seeing these photographs should show us that this method is indeed an effective one.

What is also inspiring is the dedication of the students and CCBR staff who are travelling across Canada. The majority of the group are current students on our university campuses, who have dedicated their summer to this tour. As a student and summer intern myself, I find it encouraging that my pro-life peers across the nation are also mobilizing and working full-time to bring about an end to abortion.

CCBR has already made stops in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, and have just arrived in Ottawa. We encourage you to attend their events as they make their final tour stops, finishing their tour in Ottawa on Canada Day.

Let us all work together so we can end abortion in our lifetime; your involvement is key to making this goal a reality.

CCBR’s schedule of events is available on their website:

http://www.unmaskingchoice.ca/about/schedule

“If you want to change the culture, you need to engage the culture!”- Stephanie Grey