Just over one year has passed since it was first reported that UW Health and Meriter Hospital were planning on performing late-term abortions at the Madison Surgery Center at 1 S. Park St. But no abortions have been performed yet, news that encouraged the approximately 500 men, women and children who turned out for yesterday’s second annual Defend Life Rally on the University of Wisconsin Library Mall.
The crowd listened to almost a dozen speakers, endured the haranguing of a small group of loud abortion supporters, and then marched from State Street to Regent Street for a vigil in front of the Madison Surgery Center.
"We will not go away until UW Health and Meriter scrap their plans to perform abortions for good," said Steve Karlen, the director of Vigil for Life. "The UW-Madison cannot be in the business of denying these people their civil rights, their right to life," said Peggy Hamill, state director of ProLife Wisconsin. "These children are entitled to equal protection under the law as persons."
Other speakers included Rev. Eric Nielson, representing the Madison Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church; Amanda Detry, of University of Wisconsin Students for Life, Barbara Lyons of Wisconsin Right to Life, Julaine Appling of the Wisconsin Family Council, Dee McCoy of Silent No More, Bob Dorn of the State of Wisconsin Knights of Columbus, and State Senator Glenn Grothman of West Bend.
"It’s amazing we still have to stand here after 37 years [since the Roe vs. Wade decision]," said Senator Grothman. "Thirty seven years ago we didn’t have ultrasound. Now there’s no excuse. Everybody knows what’s going on [in the womb]."
The rally’s featured speaker, Chris Slattery, Founder and president of Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers of New York City, endorsed plans for a campaign called 40 Days for Life, which will see demonstrators outside of the Madison Surgery Center for 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. "There is nothing like the presence of peple in front of a site to send a message to the workers and the leaders of the Madison Surgery Center," he said.
Slattery also complimented plans by abortion opponents to send flowers to top UW and Meriter officials involved in the Madison Surgery Center just before Valentine’s Day. "They’re going to be overwhelmed with flowers," he said. "This is going to touch their hearts because they’re going to realize you’re not their enemy. You’re sending them a bouquet of love, because that’s what our cause and our movement is all about."
But Slattery also suggested a boycott may be necessary to stop the abortion plan. "If you do business with this university, if you use their facilities for education or healthcare, start making plans to go elsewhere," he said. "God will touch their minds and their hearts, but the bottom line is the pocket book."
Slattery concluded his remarks by saying, "Abortion is not just an issue that deteriorates the foundations of civilization. It’s deteriorating the foundations of this university. This university is going to fall if it gets into the babykilling business. You are the ones that can see it stopped."