TFP Crusade for the Unborn Hit the Streets in Four Southern States
From July 16 through August 1 young TFP volunteers campaigned throughout the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama against the sin of abortion. With the reversal of Roe v Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, their message was simple: the pro-life movement in America must not sit on its laurels. It must utilize the momentum gained from the Roe reversal and advance.
Renew the Good Fight
“With Roe v Wade behind us, now is the time to charge forward against the culture of death,” said TFP member William Gossett. “Because the rotten culture that leads to abortion is far from gone. While we thank God that Roe was overturned, and this fills us with great encouragement, we have a lot of work to do to make abortion unthinkable.”
For this reason, TFP volunteers campaigned in downtowns and busy intersections with big banners that read, “Roe v Wade Overturned. Thank God!” and “Pray and Act to End the Sin of Abortion.” They carried signs encouraging the public to honk and distributed flyers, 10 Reasons to Protect the Unborn.
A Nation Divided
Reactions in Lafayette, Louisiana, were symptomatic of a broad sector of public opinion. When TFP volunteers unfurled their banners and signs at the intersection of Settlers Trace Boulevard and Ambassador Caffery Parkway, a passerby said, “You make me so happy to see you out here that I want to cry!”
Meanwhile many cars honked and waved. Occasional screams and obscene gestures came from enraged liberals. “I want to come back and run you over!” shouted one. Then two women arrived wearing face masks and carrying pro-abortion signs. One read, “Catholics for Choice.” They were visibly bothered by the number of cars manifesting their pro-life approval. When TFP volunteer Rex Teodosio tried to engage them in discussion, they would either remain silent or say “abortion is women’s health.”
The weather constantly threatened to rain and strong gusts of wind would occasionally blow. One gust took the “Catholics for Choice” sign right out of the hands of the woman and blew it in the road. Five cars drove over it. “I don’t think God likes that sign,” said Rex Teodosio. At that moment, the wind picked up the sign and it was caught by the grill of a passing car and disappeared from sight.
Majority Support
Everywhere the TFP caravan went, the majority of the reactions were positive. People opened their doors to the young volunteers and provided lodging and food. “The support we had was truly something memorable,” said Luiz Solorzano. “It was humbling to see how much people wanted to help.”
In Tyler, Texas, a man showed up with two cases of cold Power Aid. “This is the least I can do... I’ve seen you on YouTube,” he said. “I am going to pick up my sons and come back. I want them to see your example.” The man returned with his sons, his wife and an ice chest full of water bottles and ice!
Satanism and Abortion
The two driving forces that propel the abortion revolution are pride and sensuality. Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira makes this clear in his celebrated work Revolution and Counter-Revolution.
Abortion is a result of the desire to throw off restraint and satiate our unruly passions. Rather than regulate the disordered passions and use them in accordance with God’s plan, abortion is a way to satisfy sensuality without the responsibility of children. “My body, my choice” is the mantra. It is similar to Lucifer’s cry, “I will not serve.” This reality became palpable for TFP volunteers since pro-abortion advocates shouted “hail satan!” at nearly everywhere campaign stop across four states.
In Alexandria, Louisiana, a car of angry females drove by shouting, “hail satan!” Later they came back with pro-abortion signs. “In the course of the discussion, they admitted to being witches. In fact one of them had the satanic temple logo on her phone,” said Rex Teodosio. “She compared unborn babies to grass that can be cut without any consequences.”
Assault in Downtown Houston
The last campaign of the tour was in Houston, Texas. The bagpipes and drums echoed off the skyscrapers. “Defend the unborn,” Evan Olwell told a man and a woman who were walking by. “They breathed a big sigh of relief because they thought we might be abortion advocates,” he explained. “The woman proceeded to shake our hands.”
“Where are all the women?” shouted a businessman. “Do you really think there are no pro-life women?” responded William Gossett as the two crossed the street. The business man then angrily shoved him. Coincidentally, a dressed down police officer just showed up. “It was assault officer! I saw it. He assaulted him!” said a bum who witnessed the incident.
The man was caught and had to sit like a school-boy in trouble for a half hour while the officer talked to him and filled out a police report.
The Battle Continues
The caravan completed its last campaign on August 1. Looking back on the all the cities visited and miles driven the young men had a lot to reflect upon. In two weeks, they campaigned in twenty-two cities and drove three thousand, three hundred miles. They prayed public rosaries of thanksgiving at the Earle Cabell Federal Court building where Roe began and another in front of the Jackson Women’s Health Center in Jackson, Mississippi, where Roe began its demise. The caravan reaffirmed the pro-life movement’s resolve to take the fight to the end.
We are thankful to all donors who made this tour possible. The caravan could not have happened without their prayers and donations, and our crusaders are extremely grateful.
Now is not the time to stop, but rather to take new heart and fight on until abortion is unthinkable!