Rio Rancho, NM- Protest ABQ will be protesting Congressman Ben Ray Luján at his Congressional office in Rio Rancho, New Mexico during his speech at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night.
(Ben R. Luján, yet another pro-abort Catholic Dem)
New Mexican’s will no longer tolerate politicians that claim to be Christian but are radically pro-abortion! As the Democratic party moves more and more to the left and embraces regressive policies hostile to religious liberties and free speech, they also represent the biggest obstacle to overturning Roe vs. Wade.
While the RNC just ratified the most pro-life party platform EVER…the DNC just ratified the most radical pro-abortion party platform EVER! The line drawn in the sand has never been more defined and as a faith community Protest ABQ is sending a strong message that pledging allegiance to a political party instead of acting according to one’s faith is unacceptable.
When: Wednesday July 27, 2016
Where: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest issued the following statement, “Ben Luján Jr as his father before him is a leader in New Mexico politics. How sad that he represents all that is wrong with New Mexico! As a Catholic, he should be cherishing every human life. Instead, at every opportunity, he supports pre-born child killing, putting politics, power, and money before his Christianity.”
Albuquerque, NM- Recently the Albuquerque Journal ran an article pointing out how the political fortunes of New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez have taken a downturn in the last 4 years. Indeed, 4 years ago, Governor Martinez was a bright star in the Republican party as the first female latina governor. She still is the head of the Republican Governor’s Association, but clearly she does not have the political profile she enjoyed even a year or two ago.
I would like to posit what happened to Governor Susana and her fall from grace and offer two key considerations:
1. Governor Martinez put her national political aspirations before the needs of the good people of New Mexico.
2. In seeking such aspirations, she refused and failed to live up to her self-proclaimed mantle of being “pro-life and pro-family.”
It has been clear for the last several years, maybe for as long as she has been Governor, that Martinez has been advised by her handlers to avoid the hot button social issues, in particular, abortion. She followed this advice in spite of the reality that New Mexico has, for as many years, had the reputation of being the “Abortion Capital of the Southwest” and the “Late Term Abortion Capital of the Country.” Even pro-abortion advocates proudly call New Mexico the least restrictive, most woman and abortion friendly state in the country.
A little over one year ago, a young woman came to Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque from the United Kingdom to abort her child 32 weeks into her pregnancy. And indeed she did. Just months ago, a woman from Texas came to Albuquerque to abort her twins 35 weeks into her pregnancy, a double abortion that Southwestern Women’s Options was more than willing to perform for tens of thousands of dollars. Thank God she went home and delivered the twins less than 2 weeks later.
Investigations by the Center for Medical Progress and LiveAction have exposed heinous activities by Planned Parenthood. Most recently taxpayer funded University of New Mexico and Southwestern Women’s Options have come under scrutiny for various activities by the US Congressional Select Committee on Infant Lives which was spurred on by information provided by national pro-life groups; Operation Rescue, LiveAction, ProtestABQ, and NMAFL.
And where has Governor Martinez been during her tenure as “pro-life governor of New Mexico?” Well myself and other pro-lifers met with her and her chief of staff a year after she took office and laid out the whole New Mexico abortion situation and cartel for her. What has she done since then? The good Governor has not only taken no executive or administrative action, she has not shown any leadership in helping pass pro-life legislation. On the contrary the Governor has been completely silent particularly on abortion as well as other social issues (same sex marriage and doctor assisted suicide); the most forceful (and now infamous ) quote of her tenure being, “if legislation protecting a fetus gets to my desk, I will consider signing it.” (emphasis mine)
What has prompted such silence, inaction, and half heartedness on the Governor’s part? Clearly, it has been her penchant to follow bad advice related to her aspirations for higher, national offices. Her lack of focus and concern for the issues facing the people of New Mexico caused her to make poor political choices. Her most glaring, long term failing has been her silence and being completely dormant regarding New Mexico’s abortion problem. This has cost her not only any reputation she may have had as being pro-life, but has exposed her nationally as being weak and lacking any leadership on the issue of pre-born baby killing.
New Mexico still has the same abortion reputation as it did 7 years ago, the only difference is that Governor Martinez has lost any credibility nationally on social issues, particularly abortion.
Let this Be a Lesson for the Future
“Those who hear the word of God and do not act on it are fools who have built their house on sand. The rains and the floods came and the wind blew and beat against it and came crashing down.”
The last three governors of New Mexico have clearly had higher political aspirations while they were in office. Gary Johnson is now the national standard bearer of the Libertarian Party. Bill Richardson always maintained a high national profile especially with the Clintons. Likewise, Governor Martinez believed she could also achieve long-term national prominence as New Mexico Governor. The significant problem in all of this is that NM has been and remains near the top of just about every “worst list” in categories related to economics, quality of life (especially for children), crime, and education. Again, New Mexico has always had its reputation for abortion. No effective pro-life, abortion restricting legislation has passed in decades in New Mexico in spite of the fact that every surrounding state has had significant success in these areas. How do these New Mexico governors, particularly “Silent Susana,” think their records deserve national recognition? The people have finally caught on.
Future candidates for governor of New Mexico take heed! The days are over when the people of New Mexico are going to tolerate a governor who has their eyes, heart, and mind elsewhere. I, for one (and I know many others) am dedicated to insuring that any future gubernatorial candidate is focused on the problems of our state and I for one (and there are many others) believe and am convinced that problem number one is the unbridled, unfettered, unregulated, tax-funded pre-born baby killing cartel in this state that attracts clients here from all over the country and the world. Abortion has been and is one of New Mexico’s cottage industries. The reality is, though, that “abortion is bad business” for New Mexico.
Any future candidate for governor is going to have to forthrightly declare that they understand the serious and sorry reputation we have relative to pre-born child killing and then clearly delineate how they intend to change this unacceptable and deplorable situation.
Bud Shaver, executive director of Protest ABQ issued the following statement, “Leaders in New Mexico can not expect things to turn around here without first addressing pre-born child killing head on and take steps to end it. Surely the women and children of New Mexico are worthy of leaders that will seek a brighter future for our state and not simply seek their own political aspirations.”
The most prominent names being brought up as candidates for governor is Catholic Democrat Attorney General Hector Balderas and self proclaimed pro-life Republicans Lt Governor John Sanchez and Albuquerque Mayor RJ Berry.
I expect (and so do many others) that any Catholic running for Governor will abide by their Catholic faith which states that every procured abortion is inherently evil. Someone like Balderas cannot declare themselves Catholic, support abortion and expect to get elected. As for “self proclaimed pro-life” candidates? The days are over in New Mexico where words without actions suffice. Catholic and pro-life candidates must declare their pro-life policies; what legislation they intend to support and what executive and administrative actions they plan to take. I (and many, many others) will accept nothing less.
Governor Martinez’s effective term has almost expired and her political career seems to be gasping for air. New Mexico cannot afford another “Silent Susana.” As Abel’s blood cried out from the earth for justice, so does the blood of the aborted pre-born babies of New Mexico cry out for justice. We want a governor who cares about the pre-born babies of New Mexico (and the many, many women being wounded). The next governor will have to care about ending New Mexico’s reputation of “late term abortion capital of the country” and will have do something about changing that reputation.
“Now is the time for the Republican Party to take a bold stand for human life and defund the nation’s abortion giant, Planned Parenthood. With the Democratic Party proposing a radical pro-abortion platform which is out of touch with the moral compass of the American people, it is vitally important for the Republican Party to build a platform that gives Americans an opportunity to vote according to their conscience this November.” Bud Shaver, executive director of Protest ABQ
The goal of #OperationRNC was to demand that the RNC address defunding Planned Parenthood in the GOP party platform.
In addition #OperationRNC was a public awareness campaign which included public prayer and several events designed to raise awareness of the injustice of abortion.
Be sure to scroll to the end to read about the Republican platform which was adopted as a result of #OperationRNC…which is the most pro-life platform EVER ratified by ANY party!
Prayer Vigil and Sit-In at Quicken Loans Arena
Public Square Outreach
Mobile Video Billboard, Arial Tow Banner and Truth Truck
#OperationRNC at the gates of hell…where a baby was SAVED!
On Monday July 18, 2016 Mark Harrington executive director of Created Equal issued the following statement, “#OperationRNC Update: The Republican Convention delegates just ratified the party platform that included OUR language to defund PP. Small victory … but historic just the same. Thank you to all those who came out and joined us at our public events, funded our tow banner, and prayed for our efforts. Mission accomplished! Now let’s keep their feet to the fire.”
The Republican Platform now states:
“The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can ‘be deprived of life, liberty or property’ deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that ‘all’ are ‘endowed by their Creator’ with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to children before birth.
We oppose the use of public funds to perform or promote abortion or to fund organizations, like Planned Parenthood, so long as they provide or refer for elective abortions or sell fetal body parts rather than provide healthcare. We urge all states and Congress to make it a crime to acquire, transfer, or sell fetal tissues from elective abortions for research, and we call on Congress to enact a ban on any sale of fetal body parts. In the meantime, we call on Congress to ban the practice of misleading women on so-called fetal harvesting consent forms, a fact revealed by a 2015 investigation. We will not fund or subsidize healthcare that includes abortion coverage.”
In a press release issued by Operation Rescue, Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue stated, “We are celebrating today on the streets of Cleveland. We got everything we have asked for in the party platform. This shows that the pro-life movement is strong, influential, and here to stay until abortion is banned permanently.”
“The eyes of the world will be focused on Cleveland, OH this summer as the GOP nominates their candidate for the President of the United States. Decisions will be made at the convention that will influence our nation for a generation. A coalition of pro-life groups and activists is forming to take advantage of this historic opportunity to collectively raise our voice for the preborn. We demand the Republican Party continue to defend the preborn, but we are also calling our nation to repent for 43 years of unabated child killing.” ~Mark Harrington, National Director of Created Equal
Activists from all across the nation will join together in solidarity demanding the Republican Party strip Planned Parenthood of public funding. We want the $540,000,000 of tax dollars currently given to Planned Parenthood to be redirected to 13,000 federally licensed health clinics which provide true comprehensive women’s health care. These clinics provide a greater variety of services and choices to women than Planned Parenthood and are not under federal investigation.
It is imperative that the GOP Platform Committee hears the voice of the people and our desire for Planned Parenthood to be dufunded and pre-born children to be protected.
Bud Shaver, Executive Director of Protest ABQ issued the following statement, “Now is the time for the Republican Party to take a bold stand for human life and defund the nation’s abortion giant, Planned Parenthood. With the Democratic Party proposing a radical pro-abortion platform which is out of touch with the moral compass of the American people, it is vitally important for the Republican Party to build a platform that gives Americans an opportunity to vote according to their conscience this November.”
“It was the best of times (for abortionists). It was the worst of times (for babies).
The House Select Panel on Infant Lives produced a 291-page document that was used to refer the University of New Mexico to the state’s attorney general for potential criminal charges regarding alleged fetal tissue donation violations. The background of the University of New Mexico’s involvement in abortion is revealed to be a focused plot between two doctors. Two persistent, abortion-focused doctors, Doctor #1 and Doctor #2, were the masterminds in a massive abortion plan.”
“Espey and Leeman are the masterminds behind the university-sanctioned bloodshed, continuing to influence others and multiply themselves even as they snuff out life in the name of education and research.”
Members of Protest ABQ have exposed and opposed the University of New Mexico’s radical abortion agenda and these two abortionists from UNM over the past 6 years, in fact back in 2011 Tara Shaver, Senior Policy Advisor for Protest ABQ wrote a groundbreaking exposé titled, “Tax Funded Abortion Training and the Betrayal of True Medicine at UNM” and a follow up report in 2014 titled, “Lobos of Death: A Look at the Radical Abortion Agenda at the University of New Mexico” uncovering a lot of the information that the U.S. House Select Committee is now including in their 291 page indictment submitted to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas. In addition, Protest ABQ filed a formal complaint with NM Attorney General back in July of 2015 revealing baby parts harvesting in New Mexico which his office never responded to…well they can’t ignore the U.S. Congress!
Here is a compilation of reports of our efforts with the help of Operation Rescue, over the past 6 years, to expose the University of New Mexico (UNM) and these two abortionists (and others) as well as our public awareness efforts to oppose their betrayal of true medicine:
God continues to move in New Mexico in ways that only He can. A bright moment this month came when the US Select Panel that subpoenaed UNM and Southwestern Women’s Options announced that a criminal referral had been issued to our Attorney General based on their findings.
Essentially they believe that laws have been violated and they have asked local authorities to investigate further and yield justice where appropriate.
This could not be a coincidence and is just the God-given reinforcements we’ve needed for years. In fact 11 months ago we filed a formal complaint with the New Mexico Attorney General and never heard back from his office… Well they can’t ignore the U.S. Congress!
Praise God for his providence and please join us in praying that NM Attorney General Balderas does what is right and fulfills his duty.
The battle is far from over but with God on our side and through prayer and perseverance the NM abortion cartel will be exposed and held accountable.
Protest ABQ Drops Postcards Exposing Religious Pro-Abortion Democrat Senators
This month Protest ABQ mailed postcards (front of the postcard pictured below) throughout the districts of several pro-abortion religious Democrat State Senators. These politicians, the majority of whom are Catholic, defy their faith by supporting pre-born child killing.
4.25″x6″ Post Card Template
The constituents of these elected officials deserve to know that they are “putting politics before Jesus and his babies and this is a form of idolatry!” stated Fr. Stephen Imbarrato of Priests for Life (his quote was included on the back of the postcard). We cannot allow leaders in the state to ignore this reality that has so negatively impacted New Mexico. We have seen what that has gotten us, unrestricted abortion up to the day of birth and an apathy that is deafening. Please pray for the senators who so adamantly oppose human life.
When you embark on God’s calling for your life He said persecution would come (2 Tim. 3:12), at least for us it’s been true. We’re a young Christian family simply living out a biblical worldview in a city which desperately needs faith AND action. However, we are labeled domestic terrorists and are accused of inciting violence, even though our ministry has been completely peaceful and free from violence on our part.
Over the years we have received death threats by mail, at our home and when we first began our pro-life ministry back in Arizona we were even fired from our job simply for being Christians and answering God’s call for our life.
This month however we are being evicted from our home because of all of the above misconceptions about who we really are.
We need your help as we are being abruptly displaced (unless God does a miracle at the last minute), only three weeks after moving into the home, we are now being kicked out of. This is how pro-aborts treat a Christian family with three small children, and according to them we’re the crazy unloving ones!
Here’s how you can help, ours needs are:
-New or increased monthly donors.
-A Christian landlord or leads on a rental property.
-Your committed prayers for the safety of our family.
Thank you for your prayers and to those of you who faithfully and sacrificially give, we couldn’t do this important work without you. God’s Peace Be with YOU!
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-45
CLICK HERE to Make a Tax Deductible donation Securely Online (Select Bud and Tara- Pro-Life Witness from the dropdown ministry window)
Protest ABQ’s Response To SCOTUS Decision And Its Implications On New Mexico
While the SCOTUS decision undermines the good work of the pro-life community in Texas; in New Mexico, the late term abortion capital of the nation, the door still remains open to pass constitutional legislation regulating third trimester abortion facility Southwestern Women’s Options. We are determined to keep pressing forward and to make every effort to protect both mom and baby.
Here is an analysis by Protest ABQ’s chief leading counsel on the ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court:
Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, issued, [June 27, 2016] in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, while disappointing is not as sweeping as the media and pro-abortion advocates would have you believe. Significantly, the decision appears to apply only to the regulation of “pre-viability” abortions. As the age of viability continues to move closer to conception, the legal framework put in place by Roe v. Wade and its progeny is still on a collision course with itself…
CLICK HEREto continue reading the analysis by Protest ABQ’s chief leading counsel on the ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court and its implications on New Mexico.
Thank YOU for standing with us, for your prayers and for making our pro-life efforts in New Mexico possible!
“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
