Cross-posted at the Daily Kos.
Ahh…surprise, surprise. The Associate Press reports that a memorial service for slain anti-abortion activist, James Pouillon, will be followed by a large protest outside the local offices of Planned Parenthood in Owosso, Michigan. This clinic does not even perform abortions.
Pouillon was shot to death on September 11, 2009 by Harlan Drake who also shot another man the same day. The second victim was not believed to be involved in the abortion debate. See Muskegon Critic‘s excellent diary HERE.
Drake attempted to commit suicide last Saturday while in custody.
Drake shattered a television and used the broken glass to cut his arm Saturday, said Sheriff George Braidwood. Drake was treated at a hospital and returned to the jail that night.
“Since then he’s been fine. He’s been cooperative. He’s been very passive,” Braidwood said.
A memorial service for Pouillon is scheduled for today (Wednesday, September 16th) at the Owosso High School’s football stadium, Willman Field and a large number of people are expected to attend. Although the choice of venue has been criticized by some, a school board member confirms that all expenses will be paid by Pouillon’s family and the the school district has a long history of allowing the public to use its facilities. “It’s strictly a showing of compassion by the district,” said board member Rick Mowen. “It’s not an endorsement of Mr. Pouillon’s views.”
According to their website, Operation Rescue, the ardent anti-abortion group, is using the event to stage a large protest at the offices of Planned Parenthood in Owosso “to speak up for the pre-born in honor of Jim”. Planned Parenthood does not perform abortions at this location but does make referrals.
According to Cal Zastrow, co-founder of Personhood USA:
“We must emulate Jim’s example as a follower of Jesus Christ and public defender of pre-born babies.
“We will join together in Owosso to praise Jesus Christ, remember Jim, and continue to speak out against all violence against the innocent,” he said. That includes “the tragic violence that killed Jim on September 11th and the tragic violence that kills thousands of pre-born babies daily at Planned Parenthood.”
The memorial is apparently attracting abortion opponents from outside the Owosso area. The print edition of the Livingston Press & Argus quotes Mowen further and this is a bit of a bombshell:
“We’re advised by some groups that they’re sending busloads of people. I’m anticipating 500-plus.”
Aha. So they are bringing in hundreds of anti-abortion protesters to politicize the event. What a surprise.
In all of the online versions of this article that I have seen, there’s no indication that there will be people bussed in. It’s only in the Press & Argus’ daily newspaper that this was reported.
Although anti-abortion groups across the country decried what they described as the “politicization” of the killing of Dr. George Tiller, the abortion doctor who was murdered earlier this year, it appears that they themselves are perfectly happy to use the tragedy of Mr. Pouillon’s murder to their own political advantage.
I’m just sayin’…
