October 9, 2009
Abortion foes tell of their journey to the streets
by Damien Cave
The New York Times
OWOSSO, Mich. -- Action means many things to abortion opponents. Lobbyists and fund-raisers fight for the cause in marble hallways; volunteers at crisis pregnancy centers try to dissuade the pregnant on cozy sofas.
Then there are the protesters like James Pouillon, who was shot dead here last month while holding an anti-abortion sign outside a high school. A martyr to some, an irritant to others, Mr. Pouillon in death has become a blessing of sorts for the loosely acquainted activists who knew him as a friend: proof that abortion doctors are not the only ones under duress, proof that protests matter, and a spark for more action.
"Jim suffered the persecution for us," said Dan Brewer, who recalls swearing at Mr. Pouillon during one of his one-man protests in the '90s, only to join him later after becoming a born-again Christian. "Now we just have to go out and do it."
A national tribute is already planned. Anti-abortion groups are calling on protesters to stand outside schools with signs that depict abortion on Nov. 24 in 40 to 50 cities nationwide.
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