Abortion clinic escort strikes Planned Parenthood investigator Lila Rose

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Lila Rose

San Jose, Calif., Dec 19, 2009 / 03:37 am (CNA).- Legal charges are pending against a male Planned Parenthood escort who struck pro-life activist Lila Rose on the hands on Thursday outside an abortion clinic. She warned that the surprising attack should not help create a “double standard” that hinders clinic protesters’ free speech rights.

Rose, the president of Live Action Films who has led undercover investigations into the abortion provider, was not injured in the attack.

She was on a public sidewalk outside a Planned Parenthood affiliate in San Jose, California with a group of about 20 students and three adults to pray and provide information to women who might be open to alternatives to abortion, a statement from Live Action says.

Shortly before noon on Thursday, she interacted with a uniformed male Planned Parenthood escort.

According to Rose, she spoke to the escort from the public sidewalk and asked him if he was familiar with the abortion procedure.

The escort then approached her rapidly from the Planned Parenthood parking lot and said, “You idiot. You've caused so much trouble. You piece of crap."

Rose asked if she could show him a picture of what abortion “really does to a baby.” The escort then struck Rose on the hand, knocking literature and a Bible to the ground.

According to Live Action Films, the police report said Rose stepped further back on the sidewalk and the escort stepped toward her.

He was visibly shaking and said “It’s a woman’s choice!”

To this, Rose responded “What about the baby’s choice?”

The escort said “It’s not a baby!” and turned and walked away.

Police were called and interviewed Rose and several witnesses. She suffered no injuries in the attack, but charges of assault and battery are pending.

In a Friday e-mail Rose told CNA that she was “very surprised” at what happened. She said the escort appeared to recognize her, which has not happened before at a clinic.

“Unborn children face much, much worse...they are violently denied their very lives, and they are totally defenseless,” she added.

Rose emphasized that pro-lifers have the right to free speech on public sidewalks.

“If this right is infringed upon by threatening physical contact, the law must intervene and the guilty party must accept the consequences.”

Saying that pro-life sidewalk counselors are subjected to “the most rigorous scrutiny,” she warned that a double standard could be created if threatening physical contact against sidewalk counselors is allowed.

Rose also reported “good news”: a woman who thought she was pregnant and was considering abortion turned around. One of the parents and their daughter at the clinic then drove the woman and her friend to a crisis pregnancy center.

She told CNA that her organization has not heard anything from Planned Parenthood.

Live Action in a statement said it maintains a “strong commitment to non-violent public discourse.”

“We expect Planned Parenthood will respond to their escort's attack by publicly disavowing the use of violence,” the statement said.

Comments: 17

Subscriber comments:

Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI/USA 01/04/2010 03:18 PM EST

Kim, ". I believe it starts at conception." It's more than just a belief. It's a biological fact that human life begins at conception. Abortion is the intentional killing of an innocent human person.

Published by: Kim Quick
Waterford, NY 12/23/2009 12:24 PM EST

If Planned Parenthood (via "escorts")feels these are not babies, why are they trying to have them covered under the new health reforms? This just shows the double standard in the debate over when life begins. I believe it starts at conception.

Published by: C.W.
Wichita, KS 12/22/2009 04:06 AM EST

We side walk counselors have been beaten up, driven upon, spit on, and shot at. The main news media never reports it, digging thier head in the sand. May God bless Lila Rose for all her hardwork and may God sent us many more our way.

Published by: Magdalen
Colorado 12/21/2009 12:15 PM EST

WE had an incident where one of our elderly ladies was pushed into a busy street by a passerby. We only stand or walk and pray on the sidewalk; we are not allowed near the doors or parking lot. The uniformed city policeman was asked why he did not come to help the lady and said he was only hired by PP. Sort of like being paid to guard auschwitz...

Published by: James Faulkner
St. Augustine, Florida 12/19/2009 09:02 PM EST

If a right to life person had done the same thing an arrest would have happened immediately. Liberals have been acting as BROWN SHIRTS of old Germany & getting away with everything. We are moving rapidly to a Fascis/Communist in America. Things will get a lot worse. Chastisments on clearly on the way. We have truly lost our spirtual compass & now the time has come for reparations from God. Many of us are not bad people, we are just lukewarm or simply do not care. Remember what Jesus said about lukewarm.

Published by: Paul Z
Melrose MA 12/19/2009 05:41 PM EST

It sounds like a HATE CRIME. Why is Planned Parenthood not responsible for his action? He does work and represent them.

Published by: Arline
FL 12/19/2009 05:38 PM EST

I wonder if the pro-life movement had some body guards, if this ignorant, vile, bully of a "man" would have approached this woman! I hope she does not drop the charges...he needs to made an example of, so others will think twice before they resort to violence and bullying!

Published by: Kenneth
Owensboro/KY/USA 12/19/2009 04:12 PM EST

Ms. Rose has done great work! Every abortion clinic on the continent has probably been sent a photo of her by now.

Published by: Paul L. Kozlowski
Dearborn, MI, USA 12/19/2009 12:23 PM EST

The anti-life forces are violent. Side- walk counselors and those that pray are often subject to some time of itimidation or profane speech. We hope this beautiful young woman gets to tell her story: what abortion really is (the murder of an innocent baby - SCIENCE SAYS SO), why it is unconstitutional, and why it is the greatest human and civil right's issue ever - and maybe mention the history of Planned Parenthood and abortion providers. Wouldn't that wake up the American public? I know, my son, who now lives, was rescued from the silent holcaust. If you need anyone else to voice the TRUTH, feel free to contact us. My son is a living witness (or an exhibit A for any person looking to see if a "fetus" is a baby). Paul, Cathy, and baby Michael Kozlowski

Published by: Michael
Albertville, MN 12/19/2009 12:07 PM EST

Yep, I've had people claim false charges of assault against me (by the pro-death women) and the men in the same group come after me (only they become a little timid when the realized I was quite prepared for the aggressive confrontation). The say "hate" but that’s what they call everything they disagree with. Liberals: Lie, Cheat, steal and Kill!

Published by: Patrick
Northeastern Indiana, USA 12/19/2009 11:50 AM EST

I praise pro-life activist Lila Rose, the president of Live Action Films and their efforts to promote the Pro-Life cause. That its expected that "...Planned Parenthood (would) respond to their escort's attack by publicly disavowing the use of violence..." ought go without saying, yet anyone gutless enough to outright kill an unborn child is not likely to disavow the use of violence towards anyone. They'll just scheme another way to attempt to knock off somebody else and get others to pay for it while they pocket the profit. They just kill for money. They're just like the mafia.

Published by: Steven
CA 12/19/2009 11:15 AM EST

Thank you Ms. Rose and all the other pro-life witnesses! Planned Parenthood disavowing violence? Now that seems contradictory to their policies, doesn't it? Let us hope they issue some kind of silly statement such as that!

Published by: Jim
Albertville, MN 55301 12/19/2009 11:08 AM EST

Non illegitimi currendum.

Published by: Pam Jakobsen
CAL CITY, CA. USA 12/19/2009 10:28 AM EST

"We expect Pllanned Parenthood will respond to their escort's attack by publicly disavowing the use of violence," the statement said. It strikes me as too high a standard to expect Planned Parenthood to "publicly disavowing the use of violence." After all, that is their trade. Yet, the heroic efforts by pro-life activists MUST continue. Thanks for adding the "good news" as well. Very wonderful.

Published by: Gini
Flushing, NY, U 12/19/2009 09:33 AM EST

Perhaps our distinguised legislators should take a look at the courage of Lila Rose. At least we can be proud of her and her stance.

Published by: Judy Stall
Columbus, In. U.S.A. 12/19/2009 08:52 AM EST

It is obvious that the violence in the womb reaches the streets.

Published by: Ted
Oxford, NJ 12/19/2009 08:51 AM EST

Way to go Rose - keep up the good work. Remember prayer is always key and don't make any decisions without praying each day throughout the day. May our Blessed Lord reward you some day!

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