Boston University students running errands on Saturday mornings near 1055 Commonwealth Ave. are all too familiar with the sight of a group of enthusiastic abortion protesters handing out various pieces of literature to passersby near the Planned Parenthood clinic.
Operation Rescue: Boston, a pro-life group of about 25 activists, stands outside Planned Parenthood for five hours every Saturday morning attempting to dissuade women from having abortions by singing hymns and reciting prayers, a member of the organization said.
“I have so many reasons to be here,” said Ruth Schiavone, a long-time member of Operation Rescue: Boston. “We are called to witness the killing of the unborn. This is an evil that’s going to destroy our society if it hasn’t already.”
She interrupted her interview with The Daily Free Press upon sighting a young woman emerge from the clinic.
“One moment, we just had a save,” she said.
“Did you change your mind, dear?” called out another member of the group as the woman walked out of Planned Parenthood.
Schiavone explained that this woman decided to cancel her abortion after being influenced by Operation Rescue: Boston. This was the group’s third “save” in about three hours on Saturday morning, Schiavone said, a number just slightly under its average of five saves per Saturday.
Once the woman walked out of the clinic, the group embraced her with several Hail Marys and a few hymns and offered to support her for in planning her child’s future.
“I told her I’d pray for her,” Schiavone said. “Life is a beautiful choice. Both of my girls gave their children up for adoption. Not only has it enriched their lives, but it has enriched the lives of the other couples. If they had aborted their babies, those children would not be alive today. It’s generations that are lost.”
In 2007, Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill that requires protesters to stand 35 feet away from abortion clinics to minimize harassment of patrons.
Many BU students expressed varying degrees of irritation regarding the protesters outside of Planned Parenthood.
“They have a right to stand out there but they’re playing with people’s emotions,” said College of Arts and Sciences senior Sarah Woodson.
CAS sophomore Rajani Ghosh said, “Respect should be a two-way street. They should respect me if I’m going to respect them.”
Some students said they did not agree with the protesters’ invasive measures.
“I personally find it insensitive,” said College of Communication senior Morgan Smith. “They also stop me on my way to Shaw’s with brochures, which is annoying. I’m not going to get converted to anything on the sidewalk.”
“I don’t think a Planned Parenthood is a place to protest like this. A lot of people have the right to that option and it took a lot to make that choice,” added CAS sophomore Marina Tropeano.
CAS junior Emily Kassis said, “It’s the debate of right. In terms of their considerations of what others are going through, they can’t do much. You should have a right to privacy.”
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