The Battle for the Unborn Roars Through Europe
Germany’s pro-life movement just got louder and the Left can’t stand it.
On July 29, the German Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) launched a bold pro-life caravan across Germany and Austria, led by TFP Student Action (Europe) volunteers. The campaign was met with both enthusiastic support and bitter hostility.
But this tour was different from past efforts. The message resonated more deeply with the public, signaling real momentum for the pro-life movement in Germany. New pro-life marches are springing up in cities like Paderborn and Osnabrück. And in a recent victory, pro-life activists successfully opposed the nomination of a pro-abortion candidate to the German Supreme Court.
“Unfortunately, They’re Allowed to Be Here”
The first campaign stop was Mainz. As the TFP band played bagpipes, drums, and brass, curious onlookers gathered. Volunteers handed out pro-life literature, chanted slogans, and prayed the rosary for an end to abortion.
Before long, Antifa agitators showed up, hurling insults and attempting to provoke violence. Police arrived, but instead of protecting free speech, one officer told the agitators: “Unfortunately, they’re allowed to be here.”
This incident marked the beginning of a pattern of bias and interference from both police and local officials throughout the caravan.
Despite this, public reaction was strikingly positive. Many were shocked by the vulgarity and aggression of the counter-protesters. One young Protestant man, appalled by Antifa’s behavior, stood in solidarity with the TFP team for the remainder of the campaign.
In several cities, spontaneous acts of support took place. In Frankfurt, for example, a pro-abortion passerby angrily tore up a leaflet and threw the pieces at a TFP member. Immediately, another man intervened and told the agitator to respect the peaceful campaign.
In Stuttgart, City Hall Tries Intimidation Tactics
The next day’s campaign in Würzburg drew strong local support. One man, active in the local pro-life movement, expressed his deep appreciation and encouragement.
But when the caravan reached Stuttgart, things took a different turn. Although the campaign began smoothly, the police soon intervened.
First, officers asked the volunteers to relocate to a corner of the plaza. Then, an officer began filming them as they prayed and played music. More police arrived, encircling the group and demanding personal identification from each volunteer.
The excuse? That the TFP’s red ceremonial capes supposedly constituted a “uniform,” allegedly violating federal law. TFP members pointed out that their outfits varied—different ties, blazers, and personal items—hardly a standard uniform. But it became clear: someone at City Hall wanted the campaign shut down, and they were pulling strings to make it happen.
Antifa in Handcuffs
As the caravan moved on to new cities, the left scrambled to keep up. In Augsburg, a small group of rainbow-flag-waving protesters assembled to disrupt the peaceful assembly. The police moved them farther away.
But later that day, things escalated. As volunteers returned to their vans, about eight Antifa members ambushed them from behind, pushing, shouting, and attempting to steal personal belongings. Police intervened quickly, blocking several of the attackers.
One Antifa activist grabbed a TFP beret; another snatched a camera. Both ran in opposite directions. After a brief chase, the TFP volunteers recovered both items—and police arrested the assailants. Charges were pressed against the aggressors.
Divided Public in Vienna
The final leg of the caravan led into Austria, with campaigns in Salzburg and Vienna. In Vienna, the public was sharply divided. As the TFP band marched toward the historic imperial Hofburg Palace, the sounds of bagpipes and drums echoed through the streets, setting a dignified tone.
Some passersby expressed strong support; others, open hostility. But one thing was clear: the campaign was impossible to ignore.
Pro-Life Crusade Makes Headway
TFP Student Action Europe is making an impact. This caravan revealed four major takeaways:
- Growing public support for the pro-life cause — including spontaneous help from locals, donations, and impromptu public defense during debates.
- Escalating opposition from leftist officials, who are increasingly desperate to shut down peaceful campaigns.
- Antifa intimidation tactics are losing effectiveness. The public is rejecting their aggression and rallying to the side that fights to restore the right to life and God’s order.
- Public witness works. The visible, unapologetic defense of moral values stirs hearts and minds.
With God's grace and the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we will continue this spiritual crusade until the unborn are protected and cherished in both Germany and Austria.
