Taking a Pro-Life Stand in Philadelphia
As more abortion mills close nationwide, Planned Parenthood is losing ground. But the battle for the preborn continues—sometimes right on the sidewalks of America’s cities.
On July 22, 2025, TFP Student Action launched a peaceful pro-life campaign in the heart of Philadelphia, part of a two-week summer tour promoting the right to life. One of the campaign sites was historic Rittenhouse Square, a park designed by William Penn more than 300 years ago. What began as a day of prayerful witness quickly became a test of courage and conviction.
Unexpected Opposition
As TFP volunteers arrived at the corner of Rittenhouse Square, they noticed several women in blue vests soliciting donations—Planned Parenthood representatives. While the TFP campaign began peacefully with prayers, signs, and the sound of bagpipes, it didn’t take long before tensions rose.
One man, enraged by the pro-life message, shouted obscenities and hurled unfounded accusations, even shoving a 16-year-old volunteer and attempting to damage the TFP camera. Despite the aggression, TFP members remained calm, continuing to pray.
In a bizarre display, the same man mocked the prayers with a Nazi salute and tried to provoke bystanders to attack the TFP campaign. But instead of undermining the campaign, his actions only highlighted the contrast between hate and hope.
An Awkward Counter-Campaign
The Planned Parenthood workers initially responded with laughter and dismissive gestures. They later attempted to distract from the TFP message by handing out flowers while dancing to the bagpipe music. Ironically, some passersby mistook them for pro-life supporters, leading to awkward misunderstandings and even scoldings from other abortion advocates.
One abortion supporter expressed his hostility by physically hitting a volunteer in the chest and slapping a flyer out of another’s hand. Yet TFP volunteers continued undeterred.
The Power of Pro-Life Logic
Several leftists questioned the presence of young men in the campaign, repeating the common claim: “Men shouldn’t speak on abortion.”
But when one of the TFP volunteers calmly responded, “Are you against Roe v. Wade? Because that was decided by nine male judges,” it stopped the conversation cold.
Another volunteer, responding to the claim that he was “too young” to understand the issue, replied: “How old do you have to be to know that killing a baby is wrong?”
These short, clear answers reflect the logic and moral clarity that the pro-life message carries—regardless of age.
Moments of Hope
Not all reactions were hostile. A homeless man, overjoyed by the TFP banner, shouted from among the Planned Parenthood crowd: “You are men of God! Thank you, thank you!”
One Asian woman approached and quietly said, “I’m pro-life, but I don’t dare say it out loud here.” As the conversation continued, she gained confidence, speaking louder and sharing that she goes to the local Planned Parenthood every week to pray. She gratefully accepted a Miraculous Medal and said, “I will always wear it.”
When the campaign ended with three Hail Marys and the St. Michael Prayer, another woman from the crowd stepped forward to pray with the volunteers.
A Culture that Needs Heroism
Some critics seemed especially disturbed to see young men taking a public stand against the sin of abortion. Perhaps it stirs their guilty conscience. In today’s culture, youth are told to chase comfort and pleasure, not virtue and truth.
But TFP Student Action teaches something different: that young people are called to defend what is right, even when it’s difficult. That real joy comes from living a life of purity, courage, and service to God.
As poet Paul Claudel said, “Youth was not made for pleasure, but for heroism.”
Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square was just one stop on this year’s pro-life caravan—but it captured the spiritual battleground of America today. In the face of mockery and aggression, young men stood firm for the voiceless. They were not silenced. They were not intimidated. They were there for the unborn, and for God.
Let us pray that more will rise to join them.