Year: 2013

  • 2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #5

    2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #5

    “Last but definitely not least, wrapping up our, “Top 5 ABQ Year In Review Highlights”…Its YOU, your prayers, your support, and all of your efforts to help raise awareness here in ABQ- The late-term abortion capital of the country.”

    This year God answered our prayer to raise up workers for the harvest here in ABQ…and He answered it in a BIG way! We never would have guessed that in just one year so many people, churches, and church leaders would be activated to stand for life here in ABQ. Numerous volunteers helped gather 27,000 signatures (most of which came from Catholic and Evangelical churches) in just 20 days, new pro-life organizations have formed, over 38,000 people took a stand FOR life on Nov. 19th in an attempt to ban late-term abortions, several volunteers were trained to offer ultrasounds and pregnancy tests at Project Defending Life and sacrifice so much of their time for women in need, several people who attended one of our sidewalk counseling training classes took their training to the sidewalk on an ongoing basis, we had great turnout to several rallies and press conferences, all three abortion clinics have consistent coverage of people sharing the love of Christ, mothers who chose life have received so much encouragement and financial assistance due to your prayers and generosity, and only God knows how many babies have been saved as a result of your faithfulness!

    Here are just some of the many testimonies of bold steps of faith from the christian community here in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2013…and to God alone be the glory:

    Pro-Life Groups Submit Double the Signatures Needed to Ensure a Vote on Historic City-wide Late-term Abortion Ban

    Speeches From The Heart: ABQ City Councilors Hear From Pro-Lifers

    ABQ Woman Shares from Experience Why Fetal Anomalies Are No Justification for Late-term Abortion

    Dec. Newsletter 2013: Campaign Season has Come and Gone…Our Work Remains

    Manny is a Mighty Spiritual Warfare Warrior, Today He was Speechless

    Church Outside the Box…Sunday Church Service at Late-Term Abortion Clinic SWO

    Project 52 Kick-Off Rally and Press Conference

    A New Season Has Begun at Southwestern Women’s Options

    History is Being Accomplished Today

    June 2013 Newsletter: The Month of Rallies!

    Rally For LIFE: Late-Term Abortion Clinic SWO June 14,2013

    Special Mother’s Day Event In Front Of Late-Term Abortion Facility

    Never Grow Weary

    Great coverage by local news channel 13 KRQE and great title: “New Mexicans Protest Late-Term Abortion”

    Thank you all for your continued prayer, encouragement, and support. God has used you in powerful ways this year and our city will never be the same…we look forward to what God has in store for ABQ in 2014!

    “Seek the well being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well being you shall find your own.“ Jeremiah 29:7
  • 2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #4

    2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #4

    “Exposed the fact that abortions are being done through all NINE months of pregnancy in ABQ, the reality that women who get abortions are putting their lives at risk…and oh yeah, put an abortionist under scrutiny by the New Mexico Medical Board for a botched 35 week abortion!”

    2013 kicked off with the culmination of several years of hard work,  investigations, and countless hours of research which produced a New Mexico Medical Board investigation into late-term abortionist Shelley Sella. In 2012, complaints were filed with the NM Medical Board (NMMB) regarding 11 abortion injuries at Southwestern Women’s Options, Albuquerque’s late term abortion clinic. The Board’s initial response was to resist any investigation. Out of the 11 New Mexico complaints, only one was investigated, that of a 35-week abortion which resulted in a ruptured uterus.

    The botched abortion took place on May 12, 2011. Tara obtained a copy of the 911 call placed that day, which revealed incriminating details of the medical emergency. Tara worked with Operation Rescue to file a series of complaints that resulted in the Board’s action.

    Here is an interview with Tara by local news channel KOB 4 regarding the NMMB investigation of Shelley Sella:

    Shelley Sella faced an investigation by the NMMB for gross negligence and for violating the standard of care during a 35 week botched abortion that resulted in the woman’s uterus rupturing. On February 7, 2013 the NMMB issued their ruling and Shelley Sella got away scot-free due to the fact that when it comes to performing abortions…there isn’t a standard of care for abortionists to adhere to. Therefore, Sella could not be held accountable for violating a standard of care that doesn’t exist. Ironically, on the same day that the NMMB exonerated Shelley Sella, sidewalk counselors witnessed an ambulance transport another women to the ER after yet another botched abortion at the hands of late-term abortionists at Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO). On March 1, 2013 we were able to document yet another botched abortion at SWO bringing the total of 14 abortion related injuries since 2008!

    While we are disappointed with the outcome of the NMMB investigation, this case has raised tremendous public awareness about the reality that abortions are taking place here in New Mexico through all nine months of pregnancy and that every-time a woman seeks out the service of an abortionist to kill her baby, she is placing her very life in danger due the the grave risks that the abortion procedure itself poses.

    This investigation garnered both local and national news coverage, here is one such article that was featured on the front page of the ABQ Journal:  Late-Term Abortion Debate Turns to ABQ

    Here are two great reports by Operation Rescue:

    New Docs Reveal Horrific Details of Botched 35-Week Abortion, Gross Negligence in NM Disciplinary Case

    New Mexico Disciplinary Hearing Spotlights Dangerous Full Term Abortions

    Tara and I would like to thank Operation Rescue for their tireless efforts to help us in our research, investigations and for their encouragement along the way. We are very blessed to have them working with us to stop abortions in New Mexico.

    Here are a few more investigations that Tara conducted with the help of Operation Rescue in 2013:

    Gosnell-Like Abortion Practices are Business as Usual in New Mexico

    New Albuquerque Investigation Reveals Tax-Funded Medicaid Pays For Hundreds of Late-term Abortions

    Planned Parenthood Profits From and Covers Up Sexual Exploitation of Minors!

    New Investigation Shows that the Heart of Abortion Clinics Is Not “Healthcare”

  • 2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #3

    2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #3

    “In 2013, Project 52 was launched, Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life.”

    Back in May, Bud had the opportunity to speak at a National Day of Prayer event hosted here in Albuquerque (Click here to listen to Bud’s talk), he encouraged local church leaders to become more active in our community as a voice for LIFE. In response to his talk, Bud met with local pastors about his vision for churches to become more active in our city. On September 30th, Project 52 was launched and we joined with local Pastors to host a press conference out at late-term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options. Here is an excerpt from the news coverage by local news channel KOAT 7:

    Pastors gather to support late-term abortion ban

    “Pastors gathered to be the voice for unborn babies. They prayed for the end of abortion.

    Pastors and demonstrators hoped their rallies would have an influence on banning late-term abortions locally.

    The idea behind Project 52 is to have a presence at the abortion clinics 52 weeks a year, and to put pressure on the residents of Albuquerque to support the ban in the upcoming election.

    Pastors said they will gather and protest abortions until there is a change.”

    Click here to read more from of our press conference and watch the video coverage here: http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/pastors-gather-to-support-lateterm-abortion-ban/-/9153728/22203852/-/98sufo/-/index.html#ixzz2gQmgMmZw

    Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life from the time of conception. Providing a framework for multi-faceted action to facilitate a culture honoring and understanding the value of Human life in all aspects of our society.

    “As our hearts become broken over what has broken God’s heart we will see His mighty power working on our behalf. So we would like to share this message to our churches and pastors, to every person who has a heart to end the shedding of innocent blood; and ask that the hearts of our pastors to be broken and this brokenness of heart to be passed on to the members of their congregation and we will see the kingdom of darkness start to fall one by one as we persevere.” – Pastor Washington

    “Project 52 is about bringing churches together, not in doctrine, but its about bringing churches together to try and save innocent babies whose voices have not even been heard yet. Jesus calls all of us to bear fruit and one thing that you can do as a church in this city, is you can stand for the lives of unborn children.”  -Pastor Mark Mullaney

    Watch this promo video to learn more about our latest effort to educate and active the Christian community in Albuquerque, New Mexico to end abortion in our city one woman, one child, one week at a time!

    Also, in response to our efforts here in Albuquerque, Project 52 went national with Project 52 Milwaukee!

    “We are Milwaukee Project 52 which started in Albuquerque. Bringing 52 churches together in Milwaukee to cover Abortion clinics 52 weeks a year in Prayer and outreach to women considering abortion.”

    Share the awareness and hopefully we will hear about Project 52 kicking off in your city!

    Click here for more information about Project 52.

  • 2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #2

    2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #2

    “Historic Albuquerque citywide referendum, which was the first attempt in the country to restrict abortions at the local level.”

    From June 28-July 25th over 27,000 ABQ residents signed the petition to get the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” onto a Nov. 19th citywide election ballot. Local pro-lifers worked hard and quick to educate and inform those 27,000 people who were reached primarily in Catholic and Evangelical churches. The months that followed included the first ever citywide election campaign where the citizens of ABQ were given the chance to stand for life by casting a vote for the ordinance to stop abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This election drew national attention to ABQ, which is now nationally known to be the late term abortion capital of the country. It also served as the fodder for what the city needed to begin to see the atrocities that happen here every week. While only 38,000 people voted for the ordinance and 48,000 voted against it-ultimately causing it to fail, attention was given to the fact that abortions are done through all nine months of pregnancy in ABQ. We were able to reach further into the community with the message of life  than ever before and countless seeds were planted within hearts of individuals and whole congregations. We believe that the whole process was what was desperately needed to awaken this city and while we have never put our trust in the political process to be the “silver bullet” that will ultimately end abortion, it opened many doors of opportunities, moving forward. The hearts of the people, especially women, must be changed and molded by God’s heart in order for abortion to end and that is exactly what we will continue to pursue until the killing stops.

    Here are a few quotes from (just some of) the national news coverage over the past few months regarding this ballot initiative, which has LAUNCHED Albuquerque into the national spotlight, and has helped expose New Mexico’s radical abortion agenda:

    “Compared with its neighbors’ abortion policies, New Mexico’s is practically socialist. Abortion is legal throughout pregnancy, and New Mexico has none of the restrictions—ultrasounds, waiting periods, building-code regulations intended to make it hard for clinics to stay open—that have swept the country in the past five years.” The American Prospect, Anti-Choicers’ New Mexico Experiment

    “Mrs. Shaver said it’s called the Wild West of abortion, and she said that’s why Dr. Curtis has set up in New Mexico — and why he draws from so many other states.” The Washington Times, Abortion battle goes local in New Mexico as Albuquerque votes on 20-week ban

    “Patients are drawn to the Albuquerque clinic from other states, he said, and ‘it was the national implications of late-term abortions in New Mexico that brought us here. A certain amount of social tension is necessary to cause change,’ [Mr. Shaver, 34] said, citing the methods of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” The New York Times, Albuquerque Becomes Latest Focal Point in Abortion Wars

    “Three years ago, anti-abortion ‘missionaries’ Tara and Bud Shaver left Operation Rescue’s base in Kansas with one target: a clinic that abortion opponents say has turned this southwestern city into the late-term abortion capital of America. But after a loss at the medical board and making little headway in the Democrat-controlled Legislature, their group, Project Defending Life, gathered enough signatures to place a late-term abortion ban on the municipal ballot. It is believed to be the first such referendum of its kind in the country and is being watched as a possible new front for activism in the abortion wars that have typically been waged at the federal and state levels.” The Associated Press (AP), Albuquerque vote targets late-term abortion clinic

    “The vote — which would effectively end late-term abortions in New Mexico — has turned this low-key, progressive city of a half million people into the latest flash point in the abortion culture wars. It opens a new pro-life strategy to push abortion restrictions at the local as well as state and federal levels.” TIME, Albuquerque Abortion Battle Gains National Attention

    “ALBUQUERQUE — A high-desert city in one of the poorest states in the nation has become the abortion debate’s latest battlefield and a testing ground for whether abortion limits can be imposed on the local level. Although similar bans have been passed by state legislatures, New Mexico’s largest city is believed to be the first municipality in the country to place such an initiative on a ballot.” Los Angeles Times, Albuquerque becomes latest abortion battlefield

    “The failed referendum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy is the first known instance of the issue being addressed at a local level, but it might not be the last. ‘I think we’ll see this more and more,’ said Mallory Quigley, communications director for Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group. ‘We’re constantly doing things on the local level in terms of outreach because those methods are very effective in bringing about social change in general,’ said Tara Shaver, who with her husband, Bud, is with the group Project Defending Life.” CNN, Albuquerque: New path for abortion opponents

    “Tara Shaver, the chairwoman of an Albuquerque group that backed the proposed ordinance, said she and other opponents of abortions have become increasingly frustrated by their inability to win votes at the state Legislature in Santa Fe. ‘We were sick and tired of legislators imposing their will on us, so we decided to bring this issue directly to the people,’ said Ms. Shaver, adding that she has gotten calls from people across the country who said they were interested in pushing for similar city referendums. ‘Win or lose, this initiative has been what our city needed to wake them up to the barbaric practice of late-term abortions,’ Ms. Shaver added Tuesday before the final votes had been tallied.” The Wall Street Journal, Albuquerque Voters Reject Bid to Ban Late-Term Abortions

    “In the end, Tara and Bud were here before the ordinance, and they’ll be here after it, whether it passes or not. Fetal pain, or abortion after 20 weeks, is something they can get behind, but it’s not their sole mission – they want to see it all gone. ‘We hope the people do rise up and vote for the ordinance,’ said Bud, rounding a corner. Even if they don’t, ‘there’s been awareness raised. And that can only produce some good stuff in the long term.’” MSNBC, The new frontier of the abortion wars

  • 2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #1

    2013 The Year of Public Awareness- ABQ Year In Review Highlight #1

    “New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference & Public Awareness Campaign Aug. 2-9th”

    SURVIVORS & PROJECT DEFENDING LIFE teamed up to bring YOU the FIRST-EVER NEW MEXICO ProLife Training Conference in Albuquerque!

    The ProLife Training Conference included, exclusive workshops and training sessions by experienced Pro-life leaders from across the nation for the purpose of “Building your confidence in standing for life.”

    Topics Included: Why Pro-Life?, Defending the pro-life position, Sidewalk Counseling, Legal Rights, and much more.

    Speakers included: Troy Newman: Operation Rescue, Cheryl Sullenger: Operation Rescue, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Project Defending Life, Jeff White: Survivors, Kristina Garza: Survivors, Mark Harrington: Created Equal, Brendon O’ Morchoe: Students For Life of America, Jason Walsh: Executive Director of Arizona Right To Life…and more!

    Watch ALL of our guest speakers for the FIRST EVER, Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Training Conference:

    Jesus First TV: Interview with Survivors Founder and Director, Jeff White

    Recap from Bud and Tara Shaver…Sept. Newsletter 2013: “A certain amount of social tension is necessary to cause change.”

    FIRST EVER SURVIVORS TRAINING CONFERENCE AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN HAS CITY, STATE AND…NATIONAL IMPACT!

    For more information about our partners visit:

  • Reflection from the sidewalk: “The War Rages On…”

    Reflection from the sidewalk: “The War Rages On…”

    by Bud Shaver

    Tucked away amidst quiet complicity battles are won, one by one, as eyes are opened and hearts are touched by a simple step of sacrificial faith, by the ones willing to boldly claim the sidewalk, for the kingdom sake, yet the war rages on.

    Battles are won one woman, one child, one day at a time, time after time as silence gives way to the lie shattering voice of truth, uttered and displayed, for those receptive to such acts of love most ridicule and dissuade, so the war rages on.

    Battles break the paralyzing grip of apathetic lives lived, neatly nestled, behind the four walls of the boxes we diligently erect, as leaders step out and stand up; until we all reflect on the the state of our current generation, until raised thumbs give rise to bold steps of faith and our lives reflect the author of life who stepped down to give all life abundantly, this war will yet continue to rage.

  • Dec. Newsletter 2013: Campaign Season has Come and Gone…Our Work Remains

    Dec. Newsletter 2013: Campaign Season has Come and Gone…Our Work Remains

    Thank you for your continued prayers, support and encouragement! We are so blessed and humbled by all of our partners in this ministry to save lives here in ABQ.  Now that campaign season has come and gone we are looking forward to what God has in store as we seek to reach further into our community in the coming months and years until ABQ is abortion free.

    The late term abortion ban election on November 19 did not pass, the city of ABQ has affirmed it’s title as the “late term abortion capital” of the nation. The babies lost on November 19 but we are resolved to continue moving forward to ensure that hearts and minds are changed on a daily basis, which is where the true battle for life is to be won.

    There is still much to do here in ABQ, please join us in praying that the city will continue to wake up to it’s atrocities and that the church will rise up to work for an end to abortion.

    news4

    (Our kickoff prayer event at Transformation Ministries with Pat Mahoney)

    Here are a few snapshots from our busy month and a half of campaigning to end late term abortions in ABQ.  The entire campaign was quite an experience and taught us a  great deal about ourselves, the pro-life movement and has helped us to re-focus our ministerial efforts, moving forward. We wrapped up the campaign with a jam packed last 4 days of prayer led by Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition and various other last  minute get out the vote  efforts.

    (We held a Local Pastor and National Pro-Life Leader Press Conference on November 18th.)

    News 11426540_669857559725604_572603268_nNews 9

    There is so much more passion for saving lives among pro-life leadership than there is among our pro-death opposition.  We pray that this passion spreads far and wide across this nation!

    news10

    We have learned a lot of lessons during this city campaign to end late-term abortions in ABQ, the most important one is that our work is first and foremost ministry. Over the past few months as we have poured our heart and soul into the campaign and have been pulled and consumed by so much…we never stopped our ministry on the street. It seemed like Nov. 19th was never going to get here, but it has come and gone and we always knew that win or lose on election day, we knew where we would be on Nov. 20th…on the street ministering to one woman, one child, one day at a time until all abortions in our city are ended.

    Here is a testimony I would like to share that took place over the past month:

    “I [Tara] thought that doing activism with Survivors last week was the best day I’ve had in a long time, especially during this campaign. However, at tonight’s kickoff prayer event with Pat Mahoney, I met “B” (see story below) She came right up to me and even though we’d only met over the phone she said “I just want to say thank you for being there for me that day, if your husband hadn’t been there at the clinic, I would have done something bad, because he was there I didn’t.” In tears I embraced her and was reminded that this is what our ministry is all about, helping moms choose life for their babies.” Here is her story:

    “My name is Andrea Olivas. I am currently working with “B”. She is 11 weeks pregnant. Her story is nothing short of amazing.

    Here is a single mother who after finding out she was pregnant for the second time was excited until her boyfriend began to pressure her to have an abortion.

    She fought it till finally she gave in and went to the clinic. Inside she hoped and prayed that someone would stop her before she went in.

    Upon arrival, she met Bud Shaver, God’s messenger. He had her talk to his wife Tara Shaver and Tara asked her if she would go to Project    Defending Life. She agreed to go. She was relieved and she kept her baby!!

    She attended parenting classes at PDL for two weeks and on the third week I met her.

    I was there to support a mom and a daughter who were intercepted at the late-term clinic on Lomas. “B” needed a ride home. I offered and she accepted. On our ride home she told me the whole story-meeting Bud, her trip to PDL. But the battle for her baby was not over yet.

    She told me about her substance abuse. It broke my heart. She told me she was two weeks clean. But many nights there in the war zone at her apartment, “friends” would come over. They would invite their friends and it would be one big drug party.

    She tried to be strong and tell them to leave but they wouldn’t. People would stay all hours of the night and on to the next morning. Some she didn’t even know.

    I told her that her and her 3-year old daughter cannot stay one more day in her apartment. My mom lovingly took her in. I also told her about Teen Challenge. She was thrilled to hear about it and said she was ready to go. She told me that she wants to start a new life for her and her daughter.

    That night before I left she prayed to give her life to Christ.

    Since she made that decision to go to Teen Challenge she has had no end of criticism from her family but I did expect that.

    We are almost to the finish line! After one tiring week of tests and Dr. appointments, lawyers and errands we have a move date-November 19th 2013. Teen Challenge has accepted her and her daughter into the program. It is the only Teen Challenge that will let her take her child into the program as well.”

    While we are disappointed about the election results on Nov. 19th There was a great victory accomplished on Nov. 19th  for “B”, it was the day she boarded a plane headed to Arizona for Teen Challenge. This helps put everything Tara and I do day in and day out into its proper perspective. Despite the loss on Nov. 19th, God is still able to end abortion in our city one  woman, one child, one day at a time!

    Brianna

    (Above: We had the privilege to take a photo with “B”, her daughter and pro-life warriors who have taken her under their wing on November 18th, the day before she left for  Teen Challenge. Please commit to praying for her, her daughter and the child in her womb.)

    And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6: 9

    In the News this month:

    The New Face of the Anti-Abortion Movement (VICE)

    The new frontier of the abortion wars (MSNBC)

    Albuquerque to vote on late-term abortion ban that’s believed to be first of its kind in US (The Washington Post/Associated Press)

    Albuquerque puts late-term abortion to a referendum (CNN)

    Albuquerque becomes latest abortion battlefield (LA Times)

    Vote Lands Albuquerque at Center of Abortion Battle (TIME Magazine)

    Abortion battle goes local in New Mexico as Albuquerque votes on 20-week ban (The Washington Times)

    Albuquerque voters support late term abortion (GOPUSA/ LA Times)

    Albuquerque Voters Defeat Anti-Abortion Measure (NY Times)

    Albuquerque Voters Reject Bid to Ban Late-Term Abortions (Wall Street Journal)

    Albuquerque: New path for abortion opponents (CNN)

    Abortion ban vote puts Albuquerque at center of debate (ABQ Journal)

    Albuquerque voters reject late-term abortion ban (ABQ Journal)

    Critics Of Proposed Abortion Ban Say Health-Of-Mother Clause Could Be Slippery Slope (KUNM)

    Abortion ban campaign says website was hacked (KRQE 13)

     ABQ Woman Shares from Experience Why Fetal Anomalies Are No Justification for Late-term Abortion

    Please Pray :

    ~Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to be advocates for the women and children of New Mexico.

    ~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.

    ~For the conversion of every abortion doctor and clinic worker.

    ~For softened hearts of the women we speak to each day at abortion clinics.

    ~For the moms who have already chosen life and for the means to continue to serve them.

    ~For a continued grace filled and Christ centered ministry focus.

    ~For more opportunities to share the truth about abortion and it’s effects with the Christian community.

    ~For the Christian community to rise up out of apathy and a spiritual awakening.

    ~For more workers for this ripe harvest.

    ~For our safety in this spiritual battle.

    “Seek the well being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well being you shall find your own.“ Jeremiah 29:7
  • ABQ Pro-Life Initiative Makes Progress in Neighboring County

    ABQ Pro-Life Initiative Makes Progress in Neighboring County

    ABQ Pro-Life Initiative Makes Progress in Neighboring County

    By Tara Shaver

    Albuquerque, NM – Before the vote was in on the Albuquerque Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance, activists in Valencia County, just south of Albuquerque, began the process of passing a similar law on the county level.  Last week, County Commissioners voted 3-2 to forward the ordinance to a public hearing set for December 11.

    While no late-term abortion clinics exist in Valencia County, citizens were concerned that Southwestern Women’s Options, one of the few abortion clinics in the nation that will abort babies through all nine months of pregnancy, might attempt to relocate there if the Albuquerque effort had been successful.

    With initial help from Bud and Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life, who gained valuable experience during the Albuquerque campaign, Valencia County activists continue to pursue their ordinance as insurance in the event a future attempt to ban late-term abortions in Albuquerque is successful.

    “This is a small glimpse of what we hope will spread across the nation as pro-lifers work to end abortion altogether at the city and county levels,” said Tara Shaver. “We applaud the Valencia County commissioners for taking on the responsibility to protect its citizens and the county itself from dangerous late term abortions. This can be viewed as a preventative measure that should be applied far and wide to prevent new abortion businesses from opening as well as closing those already killing babies.”

    Already the Shavers are aware of several efforts in several cities across America that are now organizing to propose abortion restrictions at the local level.

    “In light of this new strategy, birthed in Albuquerque to enact pro-life laws and restrict abortions at the local level, we urge pro-lifers in every city to locate a pro-life attorney, contact their city councilors, county commissioners, and to research their city and county charters. Cities with strong conservative majorities on city councils and county boards should move quickly to introduce and enact pro-life laws. In those cities without sympathetic leaders, we urge you to follow the process and bring the vote to the people. The goal is to save as many lives as possible and this is just one way to do it effectively,” stated Bud Shaver.

    The Shavers are convinced that the strategy of passing local ordinances to restrict abortion are a trend of the future.

    “We are seeking to assist local and national groups in implementing this new strategy across America.  This is a new trend that we believe will be incredibly effective in limiting or ending abortion at the local level and we look forward to working closely with local, state, and national groups to implement this strategy,” said Tara Shaver.

    Those interested in implementing this strategy should contact Tara Shaver at tara@defendinglife.org or 505-319-7825 to learn more.

  • Words To Live By

    Words To Live By

    dave holmes

    Posted at the request of Dave Holmes (Pictured above)

    Words To Live By

    Pope John Paul II spoke these beautiful words at the World Youth Conference in Denver in August, 1993

    “America, you are beautiful indeed, and blessed in so many ways… But your greatest beauty and your richest blessing is found in the human person: in each man, woman and child, in every immigrant, in every native-born son and daughter…For this reason, America, your deepest identity and truest character as a nation is revealed in the position you take towards the human person. The ultimate test of your greatness in the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones.The best traditions of your land presume respect for those who cannot defend themselves. If you want equal justice for all, and true freedom and lasting peace, then, America, defend life! All the great causes that are yours today will have meaning only to the extent that you guarantee the right to life and protect the human person.”

  • Tired of the baby killing? Protest ABQ…Year of Rebuke!

    Tired of the baby killing? Protest ABQ…Year of Rebuke!

    Protest ABQ Organization Meeting   

    This Friday, I (PDL) will host an organizing meeting at Project Defending Life for a new campaign called Protest ABQ. Protest ABQ will be a ministry of Project Defending Life and will be a protest campaign utilizing graphic imaging and other means to send a message to the voters and leaders of ABQ (and NM) that their vote to kill babies and support baby killers will not be tolerated. This campaign is designed to end the baby killing in ABQ and in NM.

    Everyone is welcome to join us if you support the use of graphic imaging to show the truth about abortion…i.e. baby killing! This meeting is to organize a campaign to protest ABQ and not to debate the merit of graphic imaging or the recent failed vote. It is time to move on past the vote and it is time to get serious about protesting the killing of our little brothers and sisters in the womb.

    What: Protest ABQ

    Where: Project Defending Life 615 San Mateo Blvd ABQ 87108 (just south of main PDL office)

    When: Friday November 29th 10:00 am till noon  

    These protests will be peaceful and constitutionally legal. We will not condone violence of any kind by anyone in this campaign. Indeed, we are protesting the use of violence…against babies in the womb. We will peacefully protest this violence.

    Here are the words of soon to be “Saint” Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae (in case anyone has questions)…

    58. Among all the crimes which can be committed against life, procured abortion has characteristics making it particularly serious and deplorable. The Second Vatican Council defines abortion, together with infanticide, as an “unspeakable crime” But today, in many people’s consciences, the perception of its gravity has become progressively obscured. The acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behavior and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil, even when the fundamental right to life is at stake. Given such a grave situation, we need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this regard the reproach of the Prophet is extremely straightforward: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (Is 5:20). Especially in the case of abortion there is a widespread use of ambiguous terminology, such as “interruption of pregnancy”, which tends to hide abortion’s true nature and to attenuate its seriousness in public opinion. Perhaps this linguistic phenomenon is itself a symptom of an uneasiness of conscience. But no word has the power to change the reality of things: procured abortion is the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth. The moral gravity of procured abortion is apparent in all its truth if we recognize that we are dealing with murder…                                                     

    Fr  Stephen Imbarrato, Founder and Executive Director of Project Defending Life

  • Moving Forward in ABQ, UNMCRH…The Weak Link

    Moving Forward in ABQ, UNMCRH…The Weak Link

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    There are three abortion clinics in ABQ providing abortions, Planned Parenthood located directly across the street (50 feet!) from Project Defending Life. Several people throughout the week frequently minister and sidewalk counsel there including local “Pro-Life Saint,” Phil Leahy. After three years of pretty intense public awareness, many people are going to Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) pretty consistently to minister and sidewalk counsel. The third one has kind of slid under the radar, UNM Center for Reproductive Health, “UNMCRH (UNM’s free standing publicly funded abortion clinic doing abortions up to 22wks).

    I spoke with someone today out at UNMCRH, who mentioned that they wished people would come out more often and try and reach the women going into the abortion clinic.

    After prayer and reflection, moving our pro-life momentum forward in ABQ, UNMCRH is the weak link of the abortion cartel here in ABQ (due to the fact that since UNM is a public institution and publicly funded, they are highly sensitive to public exposure concerning their radical abortion agenda).

    So, I have decided to step back from my presence out at (SWO) and crank up the the public exposure out at UNMCRH (1701 Moon St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112). Beginning tomorrow, Friday Nov. 22nd. I will have a daily presence out at UNMCRH Monday-Friday 9am-12pm. I welcome you to join me.

    I urge the people who are consistently faithful out at SWO to remain steadfast.

    Read the report by Tara Shaver about UNM’s Radical, Pro-Abortion Agenda: Exposé: Tax Funded Abortion Training and the Betrayal of True Medicine at UNM

    Because of Christ I stand,

    Bud

    Contact info: bud@defendinglife.org

    “Seek the well being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well being you shall find your own.“ Jeremiah 29:7

  • Moving Forward in Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Moving Forward in Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Yesterday’s (Nov. 19th) election results are in and unfortunately the citizens of ABQ
    failed to rise to the occasion to lend their voices for the pre-born. While
    we lost this election we have won over many hearts and built amazing
    bridges within the community. We must resolve to proclaim even louder the
    truth about abortion, reach even further into our community and keep coming
    back until we win and establish justice for the babies.

    Thank you to everyone who poured your heart, soul and prayers into the petition and
    campaign process, your passion and zeal encourages and motivates us to keep
    moving forward. Let’s all come together as a stronger force for life in our
    city, babies are dying today and they need us to be their voice on a daily
    basis. All abortions end when the hearts of the people are changed and
    there is much to still be done. Stay involved/get involved and let’s start
    building a bigger army of God’s people together for LIFE.

    Because of Christ we stand,

    Bud and Tara Shaver

  • Video: ABQ Woman Shares from Experience Why Fetal Anomalies Are No Justification for Late-term Abortion

    Video: ABQ Woman Shares from Experience Why Fetal Anomalies Are No Justification for Late-term Abortion

    November 17, 2013

    Albuquerque, NM – On the weekend before a municipal election that will determine if Albuquerque, New Mexico, will become the first city in the nation ban abortions after 20 weeks, a woman has come forward in a new video to tell why, when faced with a prenatal diagnosis of a child with severe fetal anomalies, she heroically rejected pressure to abort her son, Chance.

    Calling the bid to end late-term abortion a “humanitarian issue,” Chantel Stuckman told of the heart-wrenching moment when she and her husband were told that her 24 week pre-born son had deformities so severe that he was not expected to live. While her doctors did not demand that she abort, they pressured her to rapidly make a life or death decision.

    Having had an abortion as a teen that she deeply regrets, Chantel knew that this baby must be given a chance at life, however slim.

    “Chance was diagnosed with hydrocephaly and other conditions that often lead to abortions out of a misguided concern that the don’t want their child to suffer,” said Tara Shaver, Chairperson of ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban. “Aborting babies who are sick or disabled isn’t something a compassionate society should do. We should let life take its course, and when we do, sometimes unexpected blessings come from what seems at first like tragedy.”

    Chantel agrees, noting that doctors told her that her son would not survive, but he did. They said he would never walk, talk, or read, but he can do all three.

    “I think that all children struggle,” said Chantell. “And I don’t think that killing them is ever our first option. I don’t think we look at a child who’s going through drug abuse and say, ‘You know, they’re really struggling. Maybe it would be better if I killed him.’ I don’t think we look at a child who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and say, ‘Well, maybe we should just kill him because their suffering is going to be too much. So I don’t see the fact that a child may or may not suffer as a reason to end their life.”

    Today, Chance is a happy 14-year old teen who is a joy to all who know him.

    Chantel supports the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance because she understands more than most the heartbreak of a poor fetal diagnosis – and that abortion is not the answer. In a new video, produced by Shaver and Cheryl Sullenger of Operation Rescue, Chantel urges Albuquerque voters to support the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance for the sake of children like Chance.

     

    Watch the video: “Chance: Life Matters” on Youtube.com


    To get involved, visit LateTermAbortionBan.com.

  • Early Voting Sets Records in ABQ Late-term Abortion Ban Contest; Planned Parenthood Pumps Big Money into Opposition

    Early Voting Sets Records in ABQ Late-term Abortion Ban Contest; Planned Parenthood Pumps Big Money into Opposition

    By Cheryl Sullenger

    Albuquerque, NM – As of yesterday, over 25,000 Albuquerque citizens had cast early ballots in a city-wide initiative that would ban abortions after 20 weeks and is on pace to set a new early-voting record. This trend is generally a positive sign for Conservatives, who have a history of early voting.

    Early voting ends Friday, with thousands more voters expected to cast ballots by the end of the week. Election Day is November 19 with a high voter turnout expected because of strong feelings evoked by the issue of abortion, especially halfway through pregnancy or later.

    Meanwhile, campaign finance records show that Planned Parenthood and the ACLU have pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into an effort to defeat the measure and keep abortions legal throughout all 9 months of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood alone has contributed $300,000 to the opposition, Respect ABQ Women – considerably more than the total amount raised by those supporting the ordinance. [Read the campaign finance report for the pro-abortion Respect ABQ Women]

    “What we will see when Election Day finally rolls around on November 19 is whether the abortion cartel’s big money will over rule the will of the people,” said Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor for Operation Rescue, who plans to visit Albuquerque later this week to help with the campaign in favor of the historic Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance. “We know from recent polls that 54% of the people of Albuquerque want to end abortions after 20 weeks when the babies are known to feel pain.”

    The ACLU has also contributed over $200,000. Texas abortionist Curtis Boyd, who owns South West Women’s Options, the late-term abortion clinic that will be most affected by the proposed new law, has contributed nearly $2,000 personally and from his abortion business.

    The campaign has attracted national interest because Albuquerque is one of the few locations where abortions through all nine months of pregnancy are done for any reason. Even Pres. Barack Obama’s leftist political activism organization, Organizing for Action, is heavily involved against the late-term abortion ban.

    Voters casting early ballots have expressed confusion of the length of the wording on the ballot.

    “We understand that some well-meaning people may have voted against the measure, thinking they were voting against abortion. However, in this case, a ‘For’ vote is in support of the late-term abortion ban,” said Sullenger.

    ABQ Voters for Late Term Abortion Ban is conducting an intensive Get Out the Vote campaign focusing on churches where support for the measure is greatest. To learn more or to get involved visit LateTermAbortionBan.com.

    Campaign records are available at Summary Audit Report by Candidate or Measure Committee

  • November Newsletter 2013: A New Season Has Begun

    November Newsletter 2013: A New Season Has Begun

    Since the launch of Project 52 at the Late-Term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options  we continue to work on making sure that it is being covered every hour, every day, reaching every woman!

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    As in everything, including sidewalk counseling, there are seasons. We have endured many weeks of difficult to even talk to anyone coming to Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) in ABQ. We attribute this, in part, to the heightened publicity both locally and nationally has factored in. While we have visibly noticed a decrease in women seeking abortions, due to our public awareness efforts, those who still choose to go to SWO despite all the overflow of awareness are the hardest of hearts and the hardest to reach.

    This first month of Project 52 was different! There have been several new people including pastors and church leaders doing ministry, prayer and outreach at SWO for the first time ever! I am always excited to see God move in mighty ways when so many new, committed people come out to SWO for the first time!

    One day this month was slow (which is a good thing!) however, when  a car pulled up with Oklahoma plates a couple of us attempted to call the couple over to talk, to no avail. As is the usual scene, a couple of minutes later the guy came out to smoke a cigarette and I (Bud) called out to him and waved him over…and thankfully he did. He confirmed that they had driven all the way from Oklahoma and he stated that his wife was 5 months pregnant. He mentioned that they had a 3 year old child and that this was hard for them both but his wife needed to abortion or she would die.

    This is pretty common to hear out at SWO. I asked if they were there to get the 3-4 day procedure and he said, “yes.” I told him we were here to support them and had a lot of resources thanks to the ministry of Project Defending Life (PDL). I urged him to call PDL and speak with someone. We spoke for over 20 minutes I offered to pray with him but he declined, at the end of our conversation I told him to be sure that he and his wife carefully read the consent form that she would be obligated to sign. I explained that this form clearly states that carrying the baby to term is safer than having an abortion after 18 weeks. I also told him how this same form would  release their babies remains to be used in medical research. I reiterated to  him that we were there for them both and we shook hands before he headed back inside.

    There were several people out at SWO so we all gathered together for prayer.

    p

    About 20 minutes later they both came out and left ! As they pulled out of the parking lot one of the new sidewalk counselors asked them if they changed their mind, “They responded that they were not going to have the abortion (something the sidewalk counselor conveyed about what they said led me to believe that after having the ultrasound she was further along than she had thought and couldn’t do the fetal injection.) They were headed straight back to Oklahoma!

    Praise God…a new season has begun out at SWO!

    Final Victory Before Historic Local Election

    In October we also fought our last battle to ensure that the late term abortion ban made it onto a city wide election ballot. Those who oppose us and oppose life pulled out all of the stops to try to thwart the city charter’s process for direct legislation. In fact, city councilor Trudy Jones(R) drafted a resolution that would have re-quired a declaratory ruling from a judge on the ordinance’s constitutionality before the people had a chance to vote on it. Thankfully, the resolution was postponed until after the election by two other city councilors, one being the president.

    Laura
    The night that Jones’ resolution was to be introduced about 100 pro-lifers showed up at the meeting for public comment where heartfelt passion was expressed to all city councilors. To hear some of these public comments please click here: Speeches From The Heart: ABQ City Councilors Hear From Pro-Lifers

    gov picAnother day in the life of a pro-life activist! You never know what or who to expect on…or across the street from the sidewalk outside a late-term abortion clinic in ABQ!  Bud is pictured here with Gov. Martinez after she holds a press conference about foster care/adoption across the street from SWO.

    Here is a snapshot of how the church is redeeming this city!

     

    1378370_678169122193221_663625172_nchurch yard signs 1church yard sign 2church yard signs 3

     Sidewalk Testimony: A Life Saved

    Since the launch of Project 52 Bud has been going to pray and minister to women outside of the UNM abortion clinic one extra day a week. One day in October a young woman walked up and asked Bud for directions to the abortion clinic! After a short conversation about why she was seeking an abortion he  asked her if she had walked here or taken the bus, she said she hitchhiked…Bud then put me on the phone with her and I was able to help her choose to leave and seek help at Project Defending Life. She certainly asked the right person where the abortion clinic was-it was a divine appointment. Bud gave her a ride to Project Defending Life where volunteers met with her and found a life affirming solution to he momentary crisis situation. Praise God that He  has freed Bud up to minister at UNMCRH on Tuesday’s now. Simply being present on a sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic makes all the difference  between life and death.

    ABQ-Logo

    The first ever municipal election to ban abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy is on November 19th here in ABQ. For 3 years Bud and I have been on the ground in ABQ setting a strong foundation with investigative research, Christian community outreach, Sidewalk presence and more. All of this hard work has culminated to the point of history we are now actively participating in. We launched an official political campaign at the city level to be able to raise funds to use for religious “get out the vote” efforts.

    If anyone would have ever told us that we’d be involved in a political campaign we never would have believed them. Ministry is our heart and our focus, however, God has called us to do our part to make sure that the city of ABQ wins this election. Our lives have been consumed by this campaign for most of the month of October and believe me, election day can’t come soon enough.

    We are proud to have lead a very fruitful campaign up to this point as our dedicated volunteers have helped us contact over 300 churches, we have supplied these churches with over 15,000 pieces of literature, 1950 yard signs, 2500 bumper stickers,  promotional videos, banners and more. This effort has been a blessing as it has opened the doors of many churches for education and has really motivated Christians to do something about late term abortions that are plaguing our city.

    Please pray for the city of  ABQ to be victorious in ending late term abortions in what is currently the late term abortion capital of the nation. Visit www.latetermabortionban.com for more information.

    Here are links to testimonies, undercover research projects, videos, and so much more…that we couldn’t squeeze into our newsletter from this month!

    Abortion ban ad hits air: Ballot question goes to voters Nov. 19

    Vote in favor of love, life and family

    Please Pray :

    ~Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to be advocates for the women and children of New Mexico.

    ~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.

    ~For the conversion of every abortion doctor and clinic worker.

    ~For softened hearts of the women we speak to each day at abortion clinics.

    ~For the moms who have already chosen life and for the means to continue to serve them.

    ~For a continued grace filled and Christ centered ministry focus.

    ~For more opportunities to share the truth about abortion and it’s effects with the Christian community.

    ~For the Christian community to rise up out of apathy and a spiritual awakening.

    ~For more workers for this ripe harvest.

    ~For our safety in this spiritual battle.

     


  • BarackObama.com Behind Opposition to ABQ Late-term Abortion Ban as Archbishop Sheehan Calls For “Day of Prayer”

    BarackObama.com Behind Opposition to ABQ Late-term Abortion Ban as Archbishop Sheehan Calls For “Day of Prayer”

    By Cheryl Sullenger

    Albuquerque, NM – Operation Rescue has learned that the pro-abortion Respect ABQ Women Coalition, which is the main opposition to the Albuquerque “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance,” is actually an affiliate of Pres. Barack Obama’s “Organizing for Action,” which encourages activism for radical leftist causes. The two groups are working together under the banner of “Stand With Women,” which is coordinating a national effort against the municipal ordinance through BarackObama.com.

    [View screen shot of website]

    Operation Rescue received a copy of an e-mail concerning a “Stand with Women” national conference call held on October 24, which originated from Kelli Lamb, Barack Obama.com, who is the Women’s Issues Coordinator for Obama’s Organizing for Action.

    [View a copy of the e-mail from BarackObama.com]

    During this “strategy call,” Jennifer Lawson, the field director for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in Albuquerque, solicited funds and volunteers to oppose the late-term abortion ban, according to a pro-life supporter who debriefed Operation Rescue after listening in on the call.

    “It appears that Obama is behind an organized effort to ensure the continuation of late-term abortions up until birth, and is attempting through subterfuge to subvert the will of the vast majority of the people of Albuquerque who oppose the heinous practice of aborting babies halfway through pregnancy and up until birth,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “These are the same leftists who are condemning support for the ordinance by national pro-life groups. The deception is appalling.”

    As a Senator from Illinois, Obama favored the now outlawed “Partial Birth Abortion” procedure and has been a rabid supporter of unrestricted abortion.

    The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance, which was placed on the ballot through a grassroots Direct Legislative initiative with signatures of 27,000 signatures of Albuquerque voters, is set for a city-wide vote on November 19. If successful, the initiative would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. A recent Albuquerque Journal Poll shows 54% of likely Albuquerque voters support the ban.

    A similar provision in Texas was ruled to be Constitutional by a Federal Court judge just yesterday.

    Meanwhile, Archbishop Michael Sheehan, who has come out in support of the Albuquerque effort to protect babies 20 weeks and older, is promoting Sunday, November 3 as “a day of prayer for the end of abortion and the passing of the Albuquerque Late Term Abortion Ban.”

    Archbishop Sheehan will also celebrate a special mass at The Shrine of Saint Bernadette, 11509 Indian School Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112, on November 3 at 5:00 p.m. to highlight the importance of the November 19th vote that will save thousands of innocent lives.

    Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, President of Project Defending Life, is calling on this to be a national effort transcending religious affiliation. “In response to Archbishop Sheehan’s leadership and strong voice and the grass roots effort undertaken here in New Mexico, I would hope that the entire country, while focusing on the November 19th referendum here in Albuquerque, would offer up a day of prayer on November 3rd for this important and unique initiative.”

    Newman agreed, stating, “We must stand strong against the under-handed tactics of Obama and his operatives, who are making an unprecedented attempt to intervene in a municipal election under the guise of a local activist group. For Obama, it is all about abortion all the time, and he isn’t afraid to through his weight around to ensure that babies continue to die. Please join us on November 3 in praying for the success of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance.”

    Read the Project Defending Life Press Release that includes a statement from Archbishop Sheehan.
    To learn more, visit LateTermAbortionBan.com.

  • New Albuquerque Investigation Reveals Tax-Funded Medicaid Pays For Hundreds of Late-term Abortions

    By Tara Shaver, Project Defending Life

    Albuquerque, NM – In just under 30 days, Albuquerque will be the first city in the country with the opportunity to vote to ban late-term abortions starting at 20 weeks of pregnancy. That vote is more important than ever in light of new research that reveals New Mexico’s taxpayers pay for hundreds of abortions each year that are halfway though pregnancy and later – often at the encouragement of the abortion providers themselves.

    New Mexico is one of 15 states that uses taxpayer money to fully fund abortions. In 2011, taxpayers funded 1,786 abortions through state Medicaid to the tune of over 1.1 million dollars.

    In 2012, the number of tax-funded abortions dramatically dropped to 649 at a cost of $177,361.32, according to the New Mexico Human Services Department.  [View Chart]

    “While we rejoice in the decreased number of abortions that taxpayers are funding, it is disturbing that the vast majority of these expensive abortions are done on babies over 17 weeks gestation.  Should the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance pass in November, it would save hundreds of lives each year and would save the taxpayers millions of dollars,” stated Bud Shaver, spokesman for Project Defending Life.

    Two out-of-state abortionists who fly to Albuquerque on alternating weeks performed most of Medicaid-funded abortions in New Mexico. California resident Shelley Sella performed 201 of the 649 tax funded abortions, earning $51,328.63 profit. California resident Susan Robinson performed 184 tax funded abortions for a big $47,555.01 paycheck at tax-payer’s expense.

    The upcoming election to ban late-term abortions in Albuquerque prompted a recent undercover investigation by members of Project Defending Life to find out how much an abortion at 20 weeks costs New Mexico taxpayers.

    That investigation discovered that an abortion at 20 weeks gestation at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health (the University of New Mexico’s freestanding abortion clinic) costs $1,200.  At Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S., women are charged $1,850 for each 20-week abortion.  At both abortion clinics, the price of abortions rose dramatically with each passing week of pregnancy.

    The recorded phone conversations with both abortion clinics showed employees encouraging a prospective patient to use Medicaid to pay for an expensive 20-week abortion, even though on one case, the caller indicated that she had a “good job” and did not believe she would qualify for the program.

    “The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance will save taxpayers money that is otherwise pocketed by out-of-state abortionists,” said Shaver.  “We hope that the residents of Albuquerque will rise to the occasion on November 19 to end the barbaric practice of late-term abortions in our city once and for all.”

    Operation Rescue has published two videos featuring the undercover recordings made by Project Defending Life.

    View the undercover videos here:

    Tax Funded Late Term Abortions In ABQ UNMCRH

    Late term Abortions Cost ABQ Taxpayers Millions SWO

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Q & A with Bud and Tara hosted by Jeff White Founder/Director of Survivors

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Q & A with Bud and Tara hosted by Jeff White Founder/Director of Survivors

    The Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference kicks off with a Q and A session with Pro-Life Missionaries to ABQ Bud and Tara Shaver. They talk about how they got involved in the pro-life movement, what brought them to Albuquerque, and what they have been up to over the past three years since moving to ABQ.

    Jeff White, Founder and Director of Survivors shares his vision for the ABQ Public Awareness Campaign and Protest and how through the power of Jesus Christ, we will “Bind up the Strongman and plunder his house to take his most prized possession”…the babies scheduled for death.

    Part 1 of 3

    Part 2 of 3

    Part 3 of 3

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Don Blythe, Sidewalk Counseling

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Don Blythe, Sidewalk Counseling

    Don Blythe of At the Well Ministry shares his wealth of knowledge, experience and his heart for sidewalk ministry at abortion clinics during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

    Part 1 of 4

    (The First three and a half minutes is a video presentation of  Don in action at an abortion clinic…its a little hard to hear. Don starts his sidewalk training presentation at 3:30.)

    Part 2 of 4

    Part 3 of 4

    Part 4 of 4

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Brendan O’ Morchoe, Pro-Life Leadership Training

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Brendan O’ Morchoe, Pro-Life Leadership Training

    Brendan O’ Morchoe of Students For Life of America is making sure that “We Are the Pro-Life Generation,” by teaching and equipping the the next generation of Pro-Life Leaders during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

    Part 1 of 3

    Part 2 of 3

    Part 3 of 3

  • Mark Your Calendars “FOR” Nov. 19th

    Mark Your Calendars “FOR” Nov. 19th

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    Dear Friends,

    The November 19 special election to ban late term abortions in ABQ is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for this historic election day! We have just under one month to continue to educate and mobilize our base to vote “FOR” the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance.
    You can now print the absentee ballot application by visiting our website here. Please print extra copies and distribute to your friends and families, this will save you all a trip to the polls. Mail them back right away to ensure that you get your ballot in time.
    A trip to the polls isn’t a bad thing though. Today, at New Beginnings Church, ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban registered many new voters and distributed many absentee ballot forms. Many people, however, are eager, excited and want to make an in person appearance to get out and vote on the 19th! The deadline for voter registration is October 22 at 5:00pm.
    As we reach out to new people each day our message of preserving life in ABQ is spreading. Help us spread this message even further by requesting your yard signs, bumper stickers, church bulletin inserts and fliers (in Spanish also). These items are ready to be picked up or delivered to you-free of charge.If you would like to help in anyway please visit our get involved page to sign up.
    Thank you to everyone who has helped bring us to this point in ABQ and to everyone who daily fights for life.
    Tara Shaver
    Chair

    ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban

    Contact us at abqvoters@gmail.com and we will deliver yard signs, flyers/bulletin inserts and bumper stickers to you.

     

    Bumper-Sticker

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  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Kristina Garza, Persuasively Defending Life

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Kristina Garza, Persuasively Defending Life

    Kristina Garza, Campus Outreach Director for Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust presents how to be “Persuasively Pro-Life” during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

     

    Part 1 of 3

    Part 2 of 3

    Part 3 of 3

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Mark Harrington, “Killers Among Us”

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Mark Harrington, “Killers Among Us”

    Mark Harrington Executive Director of Created Equal shares his knowledge about the use of “Abortion Victim Photography” and how to expose the “Killers Among Us” during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Troy Newman, Pro-Life Nation

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Troy Newman, Pro-Life Nation

    Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue shows us how a Pro-Life Nation is possible and being accomplished during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

     

    Part 1 of 3

    Part 2 of 3

    Part 3 of 3

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Jason Walsh, The History of Graphic Images in Social Reform

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Jason Walsh, The History of Graphic Images in Social Reform

    Jason Walsh, Executive Director of Arizona Right To Life presents his exceptional research and knowledge of  “The History of Graphic Images in Social Reform” during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

    Part 1 of 2

    Part 2 of 2

  • Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Cheryl Sullenger, Abortion Facts

    Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Conference: Cheryl Sullenger, Abortion Facts

    Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor of Operation Rescue shares her wealth of knowledge and years of research exposing the Abortion Cartel during the Survivors New Mexico Pro-Life Training Conference.

    Part 1 of 3

    Part 2 of 3

    Part 3 of 3

  • We are Hard at Work, Will You Join Us?

    We are Hard at Work, Will You Join Us?

    ABQ-Logo

    Dear Friends,

    ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban is hard at work to ensure that the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” passes on the November 19th special election. This election is a “walk in” election, which means that we must work hard to get people to the polls or to request an absentee ballot.

    This election has so much hanging on it, yes, ultimately the lives of precious children in the womb, but there are also national implications on many levels. Pro-Life groups around the nation are eagerly anticipating the final outcome and what happens here will inspire them to tackle abortion in their own cities.

    ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban’s primary focus is to mobilize the faith community to get out and vote on November 19. We are accomplishing this by direct contact with Christian leaders. Absentee ballots can now be downloaded online here. (Download yours now.)

    We need your help contacting churches and Pastors to inform and educate them about how important this election is. Distribution of  materials is vital as well. Help is also needed in other areas. Please click here to sign up and let us know how you can help end late term abortions in our city.

    Now is the most crucial time in our state’s history. Together we can make this happen, thanks in advance for your help.

    For more information visit: http://www.latetermabortionban.com/

    Tara Shaver
    Chair

    ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban

  • A Rare Glimpse Into Our Survivors ABQ DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU CARE? Campaign

    A Rare Glimpse Into Our Survivors ABQ DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU CARE? Campaign

    Forget the “main-stream” media…Peek behind the curtain and get an in-depth look into the Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust’s ABQ Public Awareness Campaign, “DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU CARE?” See for yourself, listen to the conversations, witness lives changed and awareness achieved!

    Part 1 of 2

    Part 2 of 2

  • Church Outside the Box…Sunday Church Service at Late-Term Abortion Clinic SWO

    Church Outside the Box…Sunday Church Service at Late-Term Abortion Clinic SWO

    Today is Sunday, where did you go to church today? We went to Late-Term abortion clinic (SWO) Southwestern Women’s Options! WHAT?…Yep…Pastor Manny at Transformation Ministries is transforming more than just lives through the name and authority of Jesus Christ, he is transforming the box that we placed “Sunday Church Service!” He presented a powerful message from God’s Word and we prayed, sang, and had church service on a sidewalk in front of late-term abortion clinic SWO. This is how you light up the darkness.

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    There is power in the name of Jesus…to break every chain, break every chain, let’s break every chain! This is how you light up the darkness.

    Read these articles highlighting Pastor Manny’s several years of Pro-Life ministry in Albuquerque, New Mexico:

    Manny is a Mighty Spiritual Warfare Warrior, Today He was Speechless

    Here’s How You Make Your Community Abortion Free

  • Speeches From The Heart: ABQ City Councilors Hear From Pro-Lifers

    Speeches From The Heart: ABQ City Councilors Hear From Pro-Lifers

    This originally appeared at www.standforlife.net
    Albuquerque City Councilor Trudy Jones planned to introduce a resolution at the October 9th City Council meeting to stop the upcoming election to ban abortions at twenty weeks in the city.  Numerous speakers came forward at that meeting to denounce Jones and her proposal and also to defend the unborn.  The resolution was eventually sent to the finance committee which wouldn’t meet until after the November 19th election, so the election is set in stone!

    The first video is an excellent impassioned speech by Laura Morrison.  Laura’s comment about her speech: “I do not speak for my glory … all glory is God’s.  I speak for the women and babies and to be faithful to my call!”

    This video is from Orae Dominguez, a sidewalk counselor at the late-term abortion facility, Southwestern Women’s Options. Thanks also goes to Orae for his hard work with these videos.

    Nick Riali calls City Councilor Jones corrupt in the following video:

    Click here to watch the President of Students for Life UNM, Samantha Serrano, instruct the councilors on the unborn life in the womb.

  • Dear Friends of Life, History is in the Making in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

    Dear Friends of Life, History is in the Making in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

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    Dear Friends of Life,

     

    History is in the making in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Ongoing efforts there could result in a stunning pro-life victory that would be the beginning of the end of late-term abortions in America.

    Right now, I need your help to make sure that victory isn’t snatched away at the cost of untold innocent lives.

    Why Albuquerque and why now?

    In America, only a few states still allow barbaric abortions halfway through pregnancy and later – and New Mexico is one of them!

    In fact, Albuquerque is the site of the largest free-standing late-term abortion clinic in the United States.  Southwestern Women’s Options attracts women from every state – and all over the world – because they offer abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy.

     

    That’s why Albuquerque is known across the nation as the

    Late-term Abortion Capital of America!

     

    Most people don’t even realize that abortions are legal up until the moment of birth.

    And they aren’t in most states and in most countries.

    There are only four nations in the world that allow abortions that late:  China, Russia, Canada, and the U.S.  Only nine states in this country still allow abortions in the final three months of pregnancy.

    According to American Prospect, “Compared with its neighbors’ abortion policies, New Mexico’s is practically socialist. Abortion is legal throughout pregnancy, and New Mexico has none of the restrictions—ultrasounds, waiting periods, building-code regulations.”

    Year after year, the Democratically-controlled New Mexico state legislature has thwarted pro-life efforts to pass common-sense abortion laws that would protect mothers and their babies.

    But here’s the game-changer:  A creative new initiative – this time at the municipal level – is taking the issue straight to the people of Albuquerque.

    A grassroots campaign has placed the first-ever city ordinance banning late-term abortions on Albuquerque’s November 19 ballot.  If it passes, will effectively stop abortions after 20 weeks gestation within the city limits of Albuquerque, a city now considered the Late-term Abortion Capital of America.

    This amazing unified effort gathered 27,000 signatures in just 20 days – over twice the signatures needed to put the ordinance to a city-wide vote.

    As you can imagine, the pro-abortion radicals are in a panic, but now they are fighting back.  They wasted no time launching a campaign to defeat the late-term abortion ban even though an overwhelming 54% of the people of Albuquerque support it, according to a recent Albuquerque Journal poll.

    The abortion cartel is working full-time to spin the campaign away from the horrific, “Gosnell-like” abortions, which brutally end the lives of babies that are big enough to live outside the womb.

    They know that is where they loseand lose big!

    Instead, the radical abortion cartel – under the guise of caring about women – has the gall to say that this ordinance would deny women health care!

    Abortion, especially the gruesome post-20 week “procedures,” certainly cannot be described as “healthcare!”  It’s more like “DEATHCARE!”

    The abortionists who work at Southwestern Women’s Options fully understand that their work is opposed by the majority of Albuquerque residents as well as the American people.

    Late-term abortion specialist Shelley Sella, who travels from California to do abortions in Albuquerque, explains the procedure this way:

     

    One four-day outpatient treatment involves euthanizing the fetus with a shot into the heart, and then inducing a full labor and delivery.  Unless people understand what’s going on for the woman, it’s impossible to support it. How could you? It sounds barbaric.

     

    Yes, Shelley.  It sounds barbaric because it IS barbaric!  And it must stop.

    On Monday, October 7, a local Political Action Committee, ABQ Voters For Late-Term Abortion Ban, held a press conference launching a campaign I personally support to counter the abortion cartel’s grossly misleading rhetoric and bring truth to the voters of Albuquerque.

    Before the press could file their stories, news broke that one city councilwoman was about to introduce a resolution that would have stopped the election from ever taking place.

    That resolution would have been blatantly illegal and would have disenfranchised voters and violated the city charter that clearly stated that Ordinances meeting all the qualifications — like the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance dies – “must” go to a city-wide ballot.

    We immediately jumped into action!

    You probably heard from us via e-mail or on social networking sites where we published a “Red Alert” message asking pro-lifers everywhere to contact the city council members in opposition to this effort to subvert the legal process.  We urged people to pack the city council meeting and speak out against this injustice.

    Our amazing pro-life attorney with Life Legal Defense Foundation rushed to our aid and issued a letter to each city council member firmly reminding them of the law.

    Thankfully, with your help, we were able to defeat that attempt to kill the ordinance, but we know it won’t be the last.  We can expect every trick in the book to be pulled between now and Election Day on November 19.

    This is where you come in.

    We need your help now like never before to make sure the people of Albuquerque hear the truth about late-term abortions in their city and not just the pro-abortion “spin.”

    We expect to face a huge influx of pro-abortion money from all over the U.S.  Already, the other side has thrown swanky, high-dollar fundraising soirees.  They are busy building a war chest to use against the Pain Capable Unborn Child Ordinance.

    If we do not have the money to match their efforts, the loudest message the voters will hear will be that of the radical leftist activists who want to see more abortions done halfway through pregnancy and beyond.

    We are praying that you will help with a campaign contribution to the ABQ Voters For Late-term Abortion Ban PAC.  [Click to Donate Now]

    Even a contribution of 10 dollars can buy 2 yard signs.  A 50 dollar contribution can help put 10 yard signs in Albuquerque neighborhoods.  A contribution of $100 could buy radio time to reach thousands more voters.  With contributions of $500 or more, we could even put ads on TV!

    The more you give, the better our chance of winning this battle to spare babies from a brutal death.

    This is a winnable campaign.  Over half the voters in Albuquerque want this new law.

    In fact, a win in Albuquerque will have national implications. If it only spared the thousands of babies that will otherwise be slated for a brutal late-term abortion death, it would be worth it.

    But a win in Albuquerque would do much more than that!

    It will give us the political momentum we need to press for passage of similar laws on the local, state, and federal levels – laws that will eventually ban all abortions after 20 weeks gestation in America.

    In fact, I firmly believe that a victory in Albuquerque will be the next great step that brings us closer to a complete abolition of abortion in our nation.  If we can ban late-term abortions now, we know we can eventually ban all abortions!

    Polls show that the people are ready to end abortions in the fifth month and later.

     

    Now is the right time and

    Albuquerque is the right place.

     

    We can win this!

     

    But we simply cannot do it without your help.  Please click the link now and contribute sacrificially to the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance for the sake of these innocent babies – and for the sake of all babies to come.  [Contribute Online Now]

    Donations can also be made and mailed to:
    ABQ Voters For L.T.A.B
    PO Box 50351
    Albuquerque, NM 87181

    Thank you for helping us educate our community and ultimately end late term abortions in Albuquerque.

     

    I pray I can count on your support at this momentous time in history.  Victory is as close as November 19th!

     

    For Life,

     

    Troy Newman

    President, Operation Rescue

     

    P.S.  We have only a short time left until Election Day on November 19.   Your contribution to the ABQ Voters for Late-term Abortion Ban PAC today is vital in helping us press the campaign to its fullest.  Thank you!

  • VICTORY! IT’S OFFICIAL, OUR ELECTION TO END LATE-TERM ABORTION IS SET FOR NOV. 19

    VICTORY! IT’S OFFICIAL, OUR ELECTION TO END LATE-TERM ABORTION IS SET FOR NOV. 19

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    VICTORY!

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    The citizens of ABQ will have an election on the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance. This battle has been up and down from the beginning, we are so thankful for yet another victory.  Its official and set in stone we have our election at the polls on Nov. 19th to end late-term abortion…thanks to Don Harris and Dan Lewis making sure that the resolution R-15-250 was neutralized until after Nov. 19th!

    This just in from Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal reporter:

    “After much parliamentary maneuvering, Trudy Jones’ bill has been referred to a committee meeting set for Nov. 25. In other words, it’s dead.”

    This from KOAT 7: “We just finished one election in the city of Albuquerque, but brace yourself – now it’s time for another one.

    It’s sort of a two-way dual purpose citywide vote-in-person election on whether or not to ban late term abortions, combined with a runoff election in one Northeast Heights City Council District.

    It’s set for Tuesday, Nov. 19, so mark your calendars – even if you’re one of the 273,000 or so eligible voters who didn’t bother to vote in the election we just had. You are still welcome to vote in the special one on abortion.”

  • Rally and Press Conference: ABQ City Council Cautioned Against Violating Voter Rights

    Rally and Press Conference: ABQ City Council Cautioned Against Violating Voter Rights

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    Press Release

    For Immediate Release

    In response to city councilor Trudy Jones’ resolution to deny the citizens of ABQ an election on the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance, members of the pro-life community will hold a rally and press conference outside the County Government Center at One Civic Plaza, at 4:00pm today.

    “As soon as we were alerted to Jones’ resolution attempt to deny the citizens of ABQ an election on the “20 week late term abortion ban” we enlisted our attorneys at Life Legal Defense Foundation to caution the city council on moving forward. The citizens of ABQ followed the rules set forth in the city charter, which guarantees an election, any attempt to circumvent the law of the city merits legal action on our part. By her actions Trudy Jones is the one who is disregarding the law, ” stated Tara Shaver, Chair, ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban.

    Media Contact for the rally and press conference outside the County Government Center at One Civic Plaza, at 4:00pm today:

    Tara Shaver, 505-319-7825 ABQ Voters For Late-Term Abortion Ban

    www.latetermabortionban.com

    Please see LLDF’s press release and click to read their entire letter to city council below.

    Press Conference and Rally

    October 9, 2013

    4:00pm

    One Civic Plaza, ABQ

    Albuquerque City Council Cautioned Against Violating Voter Rights

    Life Legal Defense Foundation Steps in to Save Late Term Abortion Vote

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 9, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — Life Legal Defense Foundation has cautioned the Albuquerque City Council not to violate voter rights. The municipal governing board is considering an attempt to block a vote on the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance,” currently scheduled for November 19, 2013.

    In a letter to the Council, Attorney Allison Aranda, Senior Staff Counsel for Life Legal Defense Foundation, addressed Councilor Trudy Jones’ proposed resolution to remove the ordinance from the ballot, which if passed, would ban abortions after a baby is 20 weeks gestational age. Aranda cautioned the Council that adopting Jones’ resolution to block a vote on the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” violates the rights of the citizens of Albuquerque and is in direct conflict with the Albuquerque City Charter.

    Aranda labeled the proposal an “unconstitutional fiat by the city council and a blatant violation of the powers reserved to the people under the Albuquerque Charter.” She added that there is no allowance in state law or municipal code for the Council’s action.

    Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Dana Cody believes that this is a clear attempt by a councilwoman to superimpose her personal views about late term abortion onto the citizens of Albuquerque and declared, “The Albuquerque City Council’s attempt to violate the voters’ rights must be stopped. If the Council insists on pursuing this resolution, we will take prompt legal action to protect the constitutional rights of the citizens of Albuquerque.”

    Read the Life Legal Defense Foundation’s letter to the Albuquerque City Council here.

    About Life Legal Defense Foundation
    Life Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit www.lldf.org.