Year: 2013

In August, we worked with Project Defending Life to host the first ever Survivors Pro-Life Training Camp and public awareness campaign in NM “ABQ Do You Know? Do You Care? The results of these events were simply amazing! We are always amazed by God’s perfect timing and His sovereign hand guiding our efforts. The Survivors camp in conjunction with the historic, first in the nation, municipal referendum to ban abortions at 20 weeks, has catapulted Albuquerque into the national spotlight!

The city of ABQ now awaits an election either on November 19th or by a mail in ballot to once and for all end late term abortions in the late term abortion capital of the country. Please pray fervently for us as we move forward to ensure this election is successful.

Many national news outlets have covered the momentum here. Below are excerpts from the main three:

“At the New Mexico Holocaust and Intolerance Museum, three dozen people, many of them teenagers, arrived last month without warning.

Wearing T-shirts that said “Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust,” they demanded that the museum include an exhibit on what they called the “American genocide” of legal abortion, and fanned out to scatter cards with pictures of bloody “late-term abortion victims.”

They then moved outside to picket with a banner calling Albuquerque “America’s Auschwitz.”

Albuquerque has become the latest flash point in the abortion wars.

The drive for a city referendum has been led here by a couple who trained with Operation Rescue in  Kansas and moved here three years ago as anti-abortion “missionaries.”

“We felt called to come and serve in Albuquerque,” said Tara Shaver, 29. She and her husband, Bud, moved here largely to find a way to shut down Southwestern Women’s Options, she said.

Ms. Shaver is the spokeswoman for a coalition of Roman Catholic, evangelical and other groups pushing the ballot initiative. City officials say the proposed 20-week ban is expected to be put to voters this fall.

The Shavers invited Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, a California-based group with close ties to   Operation Rescue, to hold a “training camp” in Albuquerque early last month. About 30 youths, mainly from California, came.

Mr. Shaver, 34, defended the activism by outsiders. 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,” he said, citing the methods of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” (New York Times- “ALBUQUERQUE BECOMES LATEST FOCAL POINT IN ABORTION WARS”)

Read the full article from the New York Times online here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/05/us/albuquerque-becomes-latest-focal-point-in-abortion-wars.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

“Albuquerque may wind up with the nation’s first local ban on some abortions after activists collected enough signatures to put the issue before voters in New Mexico’s largest city.

The move to circumvent the Democrats who run the state legislature and target a clinic in the city comes as abortion foes have racked up      unprecedented statehouse victories. Opponents have begun to take their fight to city halls by pushing measures to impose new limits and, if they succeed in Albuquerque, may expand their use of the tactics, said Cheryl Sullenger, senior policy adviser at Operation Rescue.

“We will take it to the local level if that is what we need to do,” said Sullenger, whose Wichita-based group opposes abortion. “Let’s zone them out. Let’s take any opportunity available to us.”

The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance proposed in Albuquerque would impose a citywide ban on terminating pregnancies after 20 weeks, similar to laws passed in at least 10 states since 2010, including Arizona and Texas. A court struck down the Arizona law while other states have put the new rules on hold pending court review. Attempts to pass such limits have been stymied in the New Mexico legislature, said Tara Shaver, the ballot initiative campaign organizer in Albuquerque.

“What else can we do to save women and children from abortion?” said Shaver, 29, who is also a spokeswoman for Project Defending Life, a  Catholic group in the city that opposes the procedure.” (Bloomberg- “Abortion Battle Goes Local From Fairfax to Albuquerque”)

Read the full article online here: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-09-05/abortion-battle-goes-local-from-fairfax-code-to-albuquerque-vote

“Cities, not states, could be the next center of the abortion debate.

In Albuquerque, N.M., pro-life activists are trying a new strategy: Banning late-term abortions within the city limits, instead of trying for a statewide ban. Over three weeks this summer, local pro-lifers collected 27,000 signatures — 15,000 more than were needed — to place a   measure that would ban abortions after 20 weeks on a city ballot on November 19.

Local pro-lifers say that people come from other states — and even countries — to get late-term abortions in Albuquerque. Tara Shaver, who serves as a spokesperson for Project Defending Life, says of her experience trying to persuade women at the Southwestern Women’s Options Clinic not to have abortions that she has seen “women coming from all over the world, and all over the country. We’ve seen cars from every  single state. We’ve talked to women who’ve come from the U.K.,” and from Mexico as well.

The measure looks likely to pass: According to a September poll conducted by the Albuquerque Journal, 54 percent of city voters approve of it, while only 39 percent oppose it. “It’s supported by most citizens and particularly by Hispanics,” comments Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. “They outpoll the general population in their support for it. So I think it’s a microcosm of what should be happening on the national level when the Republican party comes back to itself — it should emulate the same kind of strategy” when it comes to passing late-term abortion bans, which could attract Hispanic support.” (National Review- “Defending Life In The Dessert: The fight against late-term abortions is being pursued on the local level in Albuquerque.”)

Read the full article online here: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/359872/defending-life-desert-katrina-trinko

Late-Term Abortion in ABQ has been front page news locally for the past TWO months! Here is a poll that appeared in the ABQ Journal:

“More voters support abortion ban: Hispanics break from party on issue”

Support for the proposed abortion ban was bolstered by a large number of religious Hispanic voters who support anti-abortion policies but typically vote Democratic on other political issues.

“I think the big story is Hispanics,” Sanderoff said. “Although Hispanics tend to be Democrats and tend to hold the Democratic position on    economic issues, we find they differ with other Democrats on the abortion issue. Hispanic Democrats are much more likely to be supportive of this measure than Anglo Democrats.”

Read the full article here: http://www.abqjournal. com/259923/news/more-voters-support-abortion-ban.html

Project 52 Kick-off with a Rally and Press Conference September 30, 2013

Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life.

The vision of Project 52 is to activate 52 local churches to adopt the Late-Term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) for one week out of the year. Each church will have the freedom to minister as they see fit to each and every abortion  woman. During their designated week, they will claim the Late-Term abortion clinic for every hour, every day SWO is open (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

“Abortion in our community is a huge mountain that seems impossible to be moved on our own, however if every church in our city would step out with just a mustard seed sized faith,  and share the love of Christ by serving the “least of these,” God will move the mountain in our community and we will see an end to abortion…and to God alone be the glory!” -Bud Shaver, Project Defending Life

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(The media coverage of this event was so positive, we think it may be the most favorable piece put out by the mainstream media here about one of our events.)

Pastors gather to support late-term abortion ban-  Coverage by ABC,  KOAT Channel 7 

“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. They hope that comes in November when people cast their votes.”

Read more 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

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip his people for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith…”

Ephesians 4:11-13

In the news this month:

ALBUQUERQUE BECOMES LATEST FOCAL POINT IN ABORTION WARS” – The New York Times

Abortion Battle Goes Local From Fairfax to Albuquerque” -Bloomberg

Defending Life in the Desert -National Review

Anti-Choicers’ New Mexico Experiment – The American Prospect

More voters support abortion ban -ABQ Journal

Pastors gather to support late-term abortion ban –  ABC KOAT Channel 7

Voters to decide on late-term abortion ban – KOB Channel 4

Get out and VOTE -Interview with Tara on Jesus First TV

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

by, Orae Dominguez

Who are the members of this coalition seeking to defeat the pain capable ordinance? The RCRC was started by a minister in the 60s whose network of ministers procured pregnant women for Back-alley abortionists like mass murder Kermit Gosnell and Curtis Boyd. Boyd seems to have had a perfect safety record doing back alley abortions but one of his abortion patients has died and several have been injured in “safe legal abortions”. They took the name religious coalition for reproductive choice in 1973 to promote abortion and Roe v Wade, they “counsel” hesitant women in Albuquerque to have abortions.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in 2011-2012 PPFA slaughtered a record 333,964 preborn children, generating an estimated $150 million, and that overall nearly $1.2 billion in revenue was generated. PPFA’s income included a hefty and ever-increasing check from American taxpayers in 2011-2012 it reached a staggering $542.4 million.

ACLUNM a branch of the national American Civil Liberties Union. Working against Albuquerque’s community standards by reintroducing the filth of pornography, not allowing God into our schools, and promoting the continuing torture, mutilation, and lethal injection of innocent babies in the womb, while protecting “Cop killers” from lethal injection and war criminals from torture. Why should the ACLU bully the citizens of Albuquerque with the threat of lawsuits for trying to uphold their standards of decency and fairness? Why can’t these national based groups have pity on the little babies of Albuquerque?

One can read the ordinance at ABQDeservesBetter.com

Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life.

The vision of Project 52 is to activate 52 local churches to adopt the Late-Term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) for one week out of the year. Each church will have the freedom to minister as they see fit to each and every abortion minded woman. During their designated week, they will claim the Late-Term abortion clinic for every hour, every day SWO is open (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

“Abortion in our community is a huge mountain that seems impossible to be moved on our own, however if every church in our city would step out with just a mustard seed sized faith,  and share the love of Christ by serving the “least of these,” God will move the mountain in our community and we will see an end to abortion…and to God alone be the glory!” -Bud Shaver, Project Defending Life

What is Project 52?

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.

Why is Project 52 needed?

Abortion’s devastating repercussions affects every person and every church in our society. The ripples have decimated our population and our spiritual health for the past 40 years. Now barbaric late term abortions have made Albuquerque the “late term abortion capital of the southwest”. If followers of Jesus Christ do nothing to intervene, then we participate by our very silence.

How does Project 52 work?

Sign your Church up to “adopt” one week out of the year for focused Pro-life education and work. Call Rev. Spears at 505 710-4542 to select your week. Project 52 Kicks off on September 30, 2013. Churches can log in Volunteers and keep posted at http://www.meetup.com/Project-52

There are ways for every person in your congregation to become involved. Here are some of those options:

· Commit as a church to one week of prayer and sidewalk witness in front of the late term abortion clinic (training provided)

· Become educated on the repercussions of abortion (Brochures included)

· Preach a sermon or do classes for your congregation on the biblical view of child sacrifice ( Focus on the Family Brochure included in packet)

· Encourage members to become a regular sidewalk counselor (training provided) or to volunteer at a pregnancy center (training provided/ list of pregnancy centers included)

· Be prepared to refer to a pregnancy center or post abortion recovery program (resource list included)

· Encourage members to send post cards and letters to legislators and city council members. Write Letters to the editor.

· Encourage congregation to vote for the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance and Support and to become educated on pro-life issues.

· Visit the legislature with Traditional Values Action Committee (TVAC), the Pregnancy Center Network or on your own

· Join a prayer group like the Albuquerque Prayer Initiative (API)

· Encourage members to seek post abortion healing (post abortion information and referral list included.)

· Schedule a video screening for your community of the movie 180 or Maafa21 or Project 52 video

Please join us as we embark on this journey of saving one women, one child, one week at a time.

“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 of Jesus First

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!

Sign your Church up to “adopt” one week out of the year for focused Pro-life education and work. Call Rev. Spears at 505 710-4542 to select your week. Project 52 Kicks off on September 30, 2013. Churches can log in Volunteers and keep posted at http://www.meetup.com/Project-52

Project-52 is an outreach of CSA

This originally appeared at www.operationrescue.org

Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque Journal released results of a poll today that shows 54% of Albuquerque voters support the proposed municipal ban on abortions after 20 weeks when babies are known to feel pain. Only 39% opposed the ordinance.

The late-term abortion ban particularly enjoyed favor among Hispanic people who support the ordinance by 57% regardless of party affiliation. Those who identified as Republicans expressed an overwhelming 80% support for the ordinance.

This is the first known effort to ban late-term abortions on the municipal level. Albuquerque holds the dubious distinction of being known as the “Late-term Capital of America” because it is the site of Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S.

“This poll shows what we have been saying all along, that the proposed Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance has wide support in Albuquerque. Putting this ordinance to a vote is the right thing to do,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “Late-term abortion is a barbaric and dangerous practice that has no place in a civilized society. There are better, more compassionate alternatives for women in the late stages of pregnancy than inflicting upon them and their babies the brutality of abortion.”

Organizers used the legislative initiative process to get the ban on a city-wide ballot after it became clear that the predominately pro-abortion Democratic state legislature would not act. Needing only about 12,000 signatures of registered voters to place the ordinance on the ballot, organizers gathered a remarkable 27,000 signatures in 20 days, showing the ordinance has widespread support.

City Council President Dan Lewis, who says he supports the late-term abortion ban, has indicated that he will introduce a resolution at the next city council meeting on Monday to place the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance on a city-wide ballot on November 19th. The election would be conducted via a mail-in ballot. That resolution is expected to be adopted by the city council.

Tara Shaver, of Project Defending Life acts as spokesperson for the ordinance effort. She gathered documentation through open records requests that indicated ambulances were transporting women to hospital emergency rooms from Southwestern Women’s Options at an alarming rate. Over a dozen 911 records showed women were experiencing life-threatening complications to abortions as late as 35 weeks ranging from a ruptured uterus to heavy hemorrhage. Southwestern Women’s Options is a freestanding abortion clinic that is not equipped to handle serious complications that arise from the risky late abortions.

Last month, Operation Rescue staff members participated in a pro-life training conference in Albuquerque, which was followed by street protests conducted by Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust. Abortion supporters criticized the protests as “outsiders” trying to affect city policies. However, Newman has a different take on who the “outsiders” really are.

“Both of the clinic’s primary abortionists, Shelley Sella and Susan Robinson, fly in to Albuquerque from California to do the abortions then fly out again. Neither hold local hospital privileges. In fact, the clinic is owned by Texas abortionist Curtis Boyd. They are the ones coming in to Albuquerque to cause issues,” said Newman. “The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance is truly a grass-roots effort put forward by people who live in Albuquerque, like the Shavers. It is supported by pro-life groups around the country because women from every state are currently traveling to Albuquerque to have these dangerous abortions at the latest stages of pregnancy. The poll confirms that it is the out-of state abortionists who are out-of-step with the people of Albuquerque.”

While some erroneously say the ordinance is illegal since it runs contrary to Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that decriminalized abortion, the fact is that Supreme Court precedent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey narrowed the Roe ruling, allowing states to regulate and even ban late-term abortions. Bans similar to Albuquerque’s proposed ordinance have been passed in 11 states and introduced at the Federal level.

“This ordinance has a high probability of success, given the popular support in the community, and we are confident it will pass constitutional muster if it is ever challenged,” said Newman.

This month we were blessed to be a part of the first ever New Mexico Survivors Pro-Life Training camp in Albuquerque. It was a GREAT SUCCESS! We had 32 “campers” from all across the country…New York, Alabama, Texas, Virginia, and California.

The first part of our 9 day Training Camp, was a three day Pro-Life Training conference. We had some of the nations BEST Pro-Life Activists from Operation Rescue, At the Well Ministries, Created Equal, Students For Life of America, and Arizona Right to Life! This event shook up the city of Albuquerque, in a good way– it was also very timely as it came on the heels of the recent launch of the effort to ban late term abortions in the city. God is doing great things here, we thank everyone who made the event possible (primarily Project Defending Life) and all of our generous donors. Please pray that the momentum will continue as we seek first God’s kingdom and promote the sanctity of human life in this state.

“My God, glorious Father, transform this ground into fertile earth, so your seeds may not fall in vain. Let the longing grow for you the creator that they so often do not want to see.” – Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

• Q & A with Bud and Tara hosted by Jeff White Founder/Director of Survivors

• Troy Newman, Operation Rescue- “Pro-Life Nation”

• Cheryl Sullenger, Operation Rescue- “Abortion Facts”

• Kristina Garza, Survivors- “Persuasively Defending Life”

• Brendan O’ Morchoe, Students For Life- “Pro-Life Leadership Training”

• Jason Walsh, Arizona Right to Life- “The History of Graphic Images in Social Reform”

• Mark Harrington, Created Equal- “Killers Among Us”

More…

• Don Blythe, At the Well Ministry- “Sidewalk Counseling”
• A Rare Glimpse Into Our Survivors ABQ DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU CARE? Campaign

 Town Hall Meetings:

Monday, August 5-Saturday August 10 we held community wide town hall meetings. On the first two nights we held question/answer panels regarding the local late term abortion ban effort. On other nights we had spectacular speakers, all in an effort to educate the community. There was a positive response from locals who are eagerly ready to help see Albuquerque end late term abortions.

This campaign was a success – because awareness  changes things.  This campaign makes ABQ not just a proving ground for pro-life activists, but proof that abortion is very much within our reach. Ending abortion starts here, now, with us, with you: grassroots, local, as Jeff White said on Friday: “Speaking truth and then speaking healing.”

Bud and Tara with Dana Cody, Life Legal Defense Foundation President and Executive Director

In the final town hall meeting at Sacred Heart Parish in ABQ, LLDF Executive Director, Dana Cody, summed it up another way: “The pro-aborts overturned laws in all 50 states with Roe v. Wade.  Why should we do any less than the pro-aborts?  Why not?”

Why not?

www.survivors.la

DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU CARE? PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN & PROTEST AUGUST5-10,2013

The Survivors wrapped up the week of camp with 5 intense days of activism. We passed out about 10,000 pieces of information in local neighborhoods, showed on the busiest streets in the city, visited the Holocaust and Intolerance Museum (to see if they would acknowledge the abortion holocaust and tolerate an abortion exhibit in the museum-they were intolerant!), alerted abortionist Larry Leeman’s neighbors to the fact that he kills children and much more. We must proclaim the truth in the public square and that is exactly what we did.

UNM  

ABQ Holocaust and Intolerance Museum

Plaza Inn

ABQ Do You Know? Do You Care? Public Awareness Campaign and Protest

Residential Picket at UNM Abortionist Larry Leeman’s house

“ABQ Do You Know? Do You Care?”

Everyday in America women choose abortion and many look the other way and think nothing of it. In reality though, each abortion ends a human life, a life created in the image of God. We are enduring and many are fighting against America’s Holocaust, abortion. This terminology in no way diminishes any other holocaust or genocide, so let’s be honest with ourselves, over 56,000,000,000 preborn humans have been killed in their mother’s wombs since 1973. This is the holocaust we work to end everyday, will you join us?

ABQ Late Term Abortion Ban Moves Forward

On Wednesday, August 28th the Albuquerque City Clerk confirmed that the required 12,091 signatures had been certified to ensure that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection ordinance will enter into the next phase of the City Charter’s process. This is true progress for New Mexico, in a state where abortions are being performed through all nine months of pregnancy on viable babies who would survive outside the womb if born. This ordinance is the least we can do to give a measure of protection to both women and children.

The ordinance has now been given to the Albuquerque City Councilors. They have 14 days to act or ignore this measure. This is the process set forth in the Albuquerque city charter, the councilors have the legal right to adopt this ordinance outright. However, if they ignore it then according to the process the measure will go to the people for a ballot vote.

We are so thankful that this effort has brought awareness to our community and we look forward to this ordinance saving precious lives. This has been a tremendous effort taken on by the community that we know will benefit us all. To God be the ultimate glory for this success!

Final numbers from the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” from the ABQ City Clerks Office:

12,295 Accepted
5,866 Rejected
48 Pending

For a total of 18,209 signatures processed…out of 26,900, leaving 8,691 over and beyond our goal!

A Special Thank  You to our Prayer Partners and Supporters:

July 1, 2013 marked 3 years of ministry for us here in ABQ. These 3 years have been such a blessing to us as we have seen lives saved outside of local abortion clinics and hearts changed as we bring the Gospel to the streets of our city. Our heart’s desire is to see New Mexico be a state that affirms all human life instead of destroying it daily through abortion and to also to see people turn to Christ for salvation. We reach our goals daily, one person at a time, because you support us through prayer which sustains us and you bless us with the ability to do this work full time which empowers us to do this work boldly and whole heartedly.

Thank you, you make this life saving ministry possible!  We pray for you and thank God for you. May you be richly blessed! -Bud and Tara

In the News:

New York Times: Albuquerque Becomes Latest Focal Point in Abortion Wars

Bloomberg:  Abortion Battle Goes Local From Fairfax to Albuquerque

Pro-Life New Mexico: Recap Of Articles About Survivors Visit To Albuquerque

Santa Fe Reporter: America’s Auschwitz?

World Magazine: Albuquerque pro-life ordinance survives attempt to kill it

AP- ABQ Journal: Albuquerque anti-abortion petitions certified

Late-Term Abortion Capital of America to Vote to Ban Late-Term Abortions

Jesus First TV: Survivors Training

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

Throughout the next few months we will be working to see that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance passes at the polls. While it is still unclear which ballot the ordinance will land on, one thing is certain: If you’re not registered to vote and you live in ABQ, you won’t be able to make sure that late term abortions end in ABQ by casting a YES vote.

We want to help you get registered but we also need your help to make sure others are registered as well. Registrars will be needed in many of the churches, but will also be beneficial in other places as well (events, stores, etc.) Anyone in the state can become a registrar and it’s quite simple. You must attend a one hour class taught by the ABQ County Clerk’s office. The class is once a month and the next one is Tuesday, September 10th, at One Civic Plaza (County Clerk’s Office, 6th floor) 3:00-4:00pm. This is free, you only need an ID.

UPDATE: If you plan to attend the Board of County Commissioners public meeting, Sign Up Online by August 27th @ 5:PM

Click this link to sign up for public comments:

http://meetings.bernco.gov/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1162#

As things heat up in the city of Albuquerque, we must daily ask ourselves; What am I willing to do to protect those dying in the wombs of their mothers? Am I merely willing to talk about how horrible it is? Or am I willing to “expose the deeds of darkness” (Eph. 5:11) and do what it takes to help women choose life for themselves and their children.

It’s no surprise that as we move forward we are met with resistance by those who oppose life. One by one across this nation our constitutional freedoms are being being stripped away and Albuquerque is no different.

We must never shirk back in the face of opposition. We must stand together and be united. On Tuesday, August 27th the Board of County Commissioners will attempt to restrict the First Amendment of the Constitution, the freedom of speech and the right to peacefully assemble, to the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County including Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

Abortionist Larry Leeman lives in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and for 3 years has lurked behind the scenes even though he performs abortions through 22 weeks at the University of New Mexico Center for Reproductive Health (UNMCRH). He also teaches UNM Residents to perform abortions. He purposefully takes innocent lives on the days he is not delivering babies at UNM Hospital! His community needs to know what he is doing to children with our tax dollars.

Project Defending Life in conjunction with its legal counsel issues the following statement on a potential picketing ban to be adopted by Bernalillo County: “The contemplated action of the County Board of Commissioners to adopt a picketing ban presents a grave concern for the civil liberties of County residents. The Supreme Court of the United States has a long-standing tradition of protecting debate in public streets and sidewalks. A ban of this nature will bar the free-flow of expressive and political ideas that is a hallmark of our Nation’s devotion to democracy.”

Please contact (call and email) the two sponsoring Bernalillo County Commissioners TODAY and ask them not to cower to the pro-abortion lobby that wants to provide anonymity to those brutally murdering children. Remind them that by passing this ordinance they will be infringing upon our rights as American citizens by restricting residential picketing in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County including Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

Debbie O’Malley
(505) 468-7027
District1@bernco.gov

Maggie Hart Stebbins
(505) 468-7108
District3@bernco.gov

Also, attend their meeting, sign up for public comment and be a voice for those of us who still believe in the constitutionality of the First Amendment.

Board of County Commissioners Administrative Meeting
When: Tuesday, August 27
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: One Civic Plaza NW

For additional information or questions contact Tara Shaver: tara@defendinglife.org

Albuquerque, NM- Project Defending Life will be wrapping up this week’s town hall meetings and “Do you know? Do you care?” campaign with talks from local and national attorneys who will answer questions about the constitutionality of the Pain Capable Child Protection Ordinance, that if passed by voters will become law in the city of Albuquerque.

Dana Cody, Executive Director of Life Legal Defense Foundation has been championing the rights of women and the unborn for over twenty years. She will help put into perspective how this ordinance has been enacted in various other states and what that means for us in Albuquerque.

In response to questions about the constitutionality of the pain-capable ordinance legal staff that has drafted this legislation issued the following statement:

“The proposed pain-capable ordinance is grounded in Supreme Court precedent and within the City of Albuquerque’s duty to protect its residents and visitors. The Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that, as a pregnancy progresses, governments have a compelling interest in protecting the unborn child. Due to the absence of any existing protections for unborn human beings facing the pain inflicted by late-term abortion, the proposed measure is a necessary and reasonable way to protect these babies within the bounds of Supreme Court jurisprudence.”

Please Join us Friday, August 9 at 7:00pm
Sacred Heart Parish, 309 Stover SW.

What’s Next?

Join us for Community Strategy and Featured Guest Speakers from Operation Rescue, Survivors, Created Equal, Life Legal Defense Foundation, Project Defending Life and other Local Organizations.
We have gathered the toughest, most experienced team of pro-life clinic-exposing, clinic-closing leaders our nation has ever seen.

When: Thursday-Saturday (August 8-10)
Time: 7:00pm

Location: UPDATE CHANGE OF VENUE!

Sacred Heart, Downtown ABQ 309 Stover Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

For more information contact Tara Shaver: tara@defendinglife.org
(505)-319-7825

The month of July was a roller coaster in so many ways. Ultimately, however, the Christian community in ABQ let their voices be heard by signing the Pain Capable Unborn Protection petition that is sure to eliminate dangerous and risky late term abortions in this city! Our signature goal for this effort was 15,000, how good is God, He provided nearly 27,000! We rejoice in this victory and are eager to see how this effort is going to transform this city for LIFE. We thank everyone who came together to make this happen, you know who you are.

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

This report was written by and originally appeared at www.operationrescue.org 

Albuquerque, NM – In a titanic effort that garnered twice the necessary signatures in half the required time, pro-life groups spearheaded by Project Defending Life have submitted 27,000 signatures to the Albuquerque City Clerk on a city-wide legislative petition to ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation. That number of signatures virtually ensures the proposed late-term abortion ban will be on the ballot in an upcoming election, possibly as soon as October 8.

“The concerned citizens of Albuquerque were able to obtain 27,000 signatures, well over double the necessary number, in less than 30 days! Due to the overwhelming support of Albuquerque registered voters, we are calling on the ABQ City Council to listen to the resounding voice of the people and adopt this ordinance as written and ensure that this Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection ordinance will make it onto the October 8 ballot,” said Bud Shaver spokesman for Project Defending Life.

Albuquerque is the home of Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S. Project Defending Life’s Tara Shaver has obtained nearly a dozen 911 calls that document all-too-frequent abortion-related medical emergencies at that clinic.

The Shavers have also obtained a consent form given to late-term abortion customers by Southwestern Women’s Options that confirms that abortions after 18 weeks gestation carry higher risks to the women than birthing a full-term living child.

 Click here to read the rest of this report!

Sidewalk Testimony

People ask us all the time if our presence out on a sidewalk day after day through the dessert heat, wind, rain and  snow is effective, well…this month out at late-term abortion clinic SWO, a Native American couple came up and showed us their beautiful newborn baby with a full head of hair. They wanted us to know that they had come for an abortion a while back but because of our presence they decided not to go through with the abortion! They never talked to anyone…our presence alone made all the difference between choosing Life over Death!

This month we also held a Pastors Summit to launch our latest effort in conjunction with our petition initiative to educate Church leaders Project 52!

We have gathered the toughest, most experienced team of pro-life clinic-exposing, clinic-closing leaders our nation has ever seen. Together, this broad-based coalition of pro-life groups is going to sound an   urgent alarm in Albuquerque!

We are calling on the media, Christian and secular, to expose this evil. We are calling nightly town meetings to sound the alarm to reveal the awful truth about what is happening in Albuquerque.

Speakers include: Troy Newman: Operation Rescue, Cheryl Sullenger: Operation Rescue, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Project Defending Life, Jeff White: Survivors, Kristina Garza: Survivors, Brendon O’ Morchoe: Students For Life of America, Jason Walsh: Executive  Director of Arizona Right To Life…with more national speakers yet to be confirmed!

Tara and Bud on local Christian TV show “Dewey and Friends”

Dewey and Friends with Bud and Tara Shaver (7-11-13)

Dewey and Friends With Bud and Tara Shaver (7-25-13)

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

The month of May was incredibly encouraging as God brought out workers for the ripe New Mexico  harvest. We kicked off the month with a Mother’s Day rally outside of the late term clinic. About 60 people prayerfully and peacefully surrounded the clinic with flowers and life saving resources for the moms going in for abortions. New prayer warriors came out with their children which is the strongest reflection of love and life possible for the community to see.   Everyday is mother’s day and we are privileged to minister, rescue and serve the pregnant, often desperate mom’s of New Mexico on a daily basis.

Here are more pictures and testimony from those who attended and left uplifted and encouraged: Special Mother’s Day Event In Front Of Late-Term Abortion Facility

On May 13th, Abortionist   Kermit Gosnell was found guilty of murdering babies born alive during late term abortions in Pennsylvania. What many New Mexicans are not aware of is the fact that the very method he used to kill babies that resulted in the births of live babies (he then killed), is being used here by SWO. We held a press conference outside of SWO to make that known and to draw attention to the fact that abortion is barbaric and must be stopped. The Gosnell case gives us hope that more people will see the truth and reject abortion altogether. The media coverage was awesome, Praise God!

At least 40 pro-lifers were there to hold signs and talk to the women and men going in.  Local CBS TV station KRQE-13 ran the following report that afternoon:

Click this link for Tara’s full statement to the press and for more pictures:
Albuquerque TV Station Reports On Pro-Life Rally

The month ended with the second monthly “Youth for Life Rally” outside of SWO. This generation is overwhelmingly pro-life and eager to bring this injustice to light on the streets. God is doing an amazing work here in Albuquerque, when Christians are obedient to God’s call, He accomplishes so much. The battle for life here continues so please fervently pray for all of our efforts and one day New Mexico will be abortion free.

This month we offered our second monthly Sidewalk Counseling Training Seminar at Project Defending Life. We had a great turnout and received very encouraging feedback we’d like to share with you. “What I learned today was that I did not know what people who I saw ‘picketing’ outside clinics were really doing. I’ve seen it plenty of times, and I assumed the picketers were condemning the women as they went in to the clinic. As in ‘abortion is wrong!’ The end. But today I learned it is about a deep love of the women and the babies they carry. It’s about being present to present another option. It’s about stepping out in faith and trusting God will use us when we are obedient. It’s about educating the women, of exactly what the baby looks like in their womb. It is not the Westboro Baptist style message of hate and condemnation. I loved your explanation of how it is many women end up at a late clinic. It’s because they got some bad news about the babies condition or they have had a change in support that puts them in crisis mode. They have gotten a referral appointment from their doctor to the late term clinic, and are just ‘showing up.’ They are following doctors orders. They are not out looking for other options. So, the protesters/sidewalk counselors are, for many women, the first ‘other option’ they encounter. Therefore, a presence is vital!! Protestors are not there to condemn women, but rather present them with another option. I love Project Defending Life, because they do truly offer so many helpful resources. It’s not just encouraging words…it’s help backed with actions!!!” -Laura

“If you ever wondered what hard core, Pro-Life activists look like…here they are! This is what strikes fear into the abortion cartel…Loving, gracious, passionate mothers and their children…be afraid, very afraid!”

Above- Some of our faithful homeschooling mom volunteers. These ladies are awesome sidewalk counselors and are helping to raise up the next generation to be passionately pro-life by their own examples.

“I have come that you may have Life and Life Abundantly” (John 10:10)

This month, there was an amazing story that unfolded out on the sidewalk in front of the Late-Term abortion clinic! Two young women came over to us as we were reaching out at Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), the young woman who was there for an abortion was from Juarez MEXICO! She did not speak any English, but her friend who was with her did, they both had just come to Albuquerque, NM from El Paso Texas. A sidewalk counselor who was there with me, drove them both to Project Defending Life for life affirming help and an ultrasound. The young woman from Mexico traveled to El Paso and went to an abortion clinic run by Abortionist Franz Theard, she scheduled her abortion and paid $750. On the day of her abortion appointment she was told she was 19 weeks pregnant and that Theard only did abortions up to 15 weeks; they refused to give her the $750 she had already paid and they referred her to Southwestern Women’s Options!

When the two young women arrived at Project Defending Life, Maria, the mom’s ministry leader was surprised to see them AGAIN…come to find out, the shuttle driver from El Paso instead of driving these women to Southwestern Women’s Options, he brought them to Project Defending Life (how good is God?)! At that time, the young woman from Mexico did not want any of the help that Maria had offered her and was very closed off to the idea of keeping her baby! They both refused any help and made their way to the appointment scheduled at SWO! However, when they arrived the SECOND time to PDL she was open to having an ultrasound. SWO told her she was 23 weeks pregnant and asked her to pay $3000 dollars for the abortion! When Maria did the ultrasound a light appeared around the baby’s head (kind of like a halo) and continued to get brighter and brighter (See the ultrasound picture below). Maria, who has provided numerous ultrasounds over the years had never seen anything like this before! The young mom noticed the light shining on her baby and was so moved that she took it as a miraculous sign from God and was so excited to be a mom and be pregnant! At the end of the day she left PDL and headed back to MEXICO excited to be a mom and so thrilled about the baby she was carrying…for the first time in her pregnancy!

God was certainly at work in this mom’s life and was determined to see her precious baby saved. You really can’t make this kind of testimony up, God is at work!

Here is the ultrasound picture of the baby. The baby is facing us and on the right side is the light shining on the baby’s head and in the upper right, it is…as if there is a light shining into the womb!

Back in February (22, 2013) Bud shared this testimony from our ministry out at Late-Term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico:

“A mother who is 7 months pregnant came to the abortion clinic today but not to get an abortion she came because she knew we would be there and that we would be able to help her! Ironically she came to the right place…only because God’s love was present there through His people! God has created us to not simply be the city on a hill distant and set apart, but a city on the sidewalk in the midst of our communities! Surrounded by the darkness, we are shining bright and drawing people to the Son! This is the power of the God we serve and His purpose for His church!”

UPDATE: During the past few months we have been helping this mother with things she needed during her pregnancy. The body of Christ has rallied behind us and has stepped up in big ways to serve this family! We especially would like to thank Bobby and Collette for serving this family, she wanted us to say tank you to you both for the help you have provided!

 Well here she is! She was born May 2nd, almost 8 lbs.

On May 3rd, Bud spoke to the Christian leaders during the National Day of Prayer Week at Glory Christian Fellowship in Albuquerque. This day was designated for prayer regarding the injustice of abortion in this city and our nation, here is an excerpt from his talk that has motivated a group of Pastors to get involved:

“When we look back on this past year, can we honestly say that we are better off as a nation from one year ago? Why not? What do the leaders of the church need to do this year, that will ensure that our prayers have the impact on our nation that they need to have? Bud shared his “street-side” view and encourages the Christian leaders of this city, and this nation that in this coming year, if we succeed in nothing else, we must protest the evil of this generation…Abortion!”

Click here to listen to Bud’s National Day of Prayer Talk.

This month, Tara was interviewed on a local Christian TV station KAZQ TV-32. It was a great interview with great questions about late-term abortion in Albuquerque and how to get involved with Project Defending Life!

The interview with Tara begins at 11:50.

Special Report By Tara Shaver

Albuquerque, NM —Abortionist Kermit Gosnell was recently convicted of first degree murder of viable late term babies who were born alive after illegal late-term abortions. What he did to these babies has shocked the nation, but his actions are really business as usual at abortion clinics around the country.

The horrific crimes that took place at Kermit Gosnell’s abortion clinic have put a spotlight on the barbaric act of late-term abortion. However, the crimes committed in Pennsylvania are not isolated incidents. In fact, Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to one of the nation’s most high profile late-term abortion clinics, Southwestern Women’s Options, which doles out to women the same late-term procedure that Gosnell subjected his patients to, with only one difference; in Pennsylvania it was illegal to kill babies after 24 weeks but in New Mexico it is legal to kill a baby up to the day of birth.

In fact, New Mexico provides no restrictions whatsoever on abortion.

There are many troubling similarities between what took place in Philadelphia’s “House of Horrors” and what is currently taking place in Albuquerque’s “House of Pain.”

Continue reading the full report by Tara Shaver here: Gosnell-Like Abortion Practices are Business as Usual in New Mexico

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

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Recently a press conference and rally were held at the late-term abortion facility, Southwestern Women’s Options, in Albuquerque.  Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life alerted New Mexicans of the similarities to the Kermit Gosnell case that are happening right now in Albuquerque.  This coverage exposes the horrific consequence of Late-Term abortion…13% of the the time, the babies are born alive, “What happens to these babies at Southwestern Women’s Option’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico?” This shocking fact was uncovered and reported on by Cheryl Sullenger of Operation Rescue during the Kermit Gosnell trial.

Here is the link to the study that finds this disturbing conclusion:”Digoxin effectively induced fetal death in 87% of women.“

At least 40 pro-lifers were there to hold signs and talk to the women and men going in.  Local CBS TV station KRQE-13 ran the following report that afternoon:

Here is the entire statement:

Read Tara Shaver’s most recent article related to this here: Gosnell-Like Abortion Practices are Business as Usual in New Mexico

Also, here is another one of many interviews Tara Shaver did! This one was with Peter Benson of ABQ Connect, radio station 107.1 KNKT in response to our press conference and rally.

Tara is interviewed first at about 1 min- 6min, click the following link to listen to the 5 min interview: ABQConnect Player knkt.com