Albuquerque, NM —Protest ABQ was officially launched in 2014 with the goals of educating the public to the fact that New Mexico had become the late-term abortion capital of the country and that the University of New Mexico (UNM) was the heart of the abortion cartel in the state. In addition, we wanted to expose and hold accountable those who either condone abortion outright or silently consent to it by refusing to take a bold public stand for protecting human life in the womb.
Our call was simple and concise…
Bud Shaver, executive director of Protest ABQ issued the following statement,
“Protest ABQ’s tireless efforts over the past three years have helped to produce a dramatic reversal and promising public policy shift in New Mexico. Now in 2017 we are grateful that political leaders have stepped up with solid pro-life bills over the past two legislative sessions and have committed to carrying pro-life legislation until abortion is completely eradicated in the state. The University of New Mexico has been exposed nationally as one of the most abortion friendly universities in the entire country and UNM’s collusion with the nations largest late-term abortion killing center is now under criminal investigation. In addition, we appreciate the religious leaders both Evangelical and Catholic who have recently demonstrated a willingness to publicly stand up for the babies, so we are standing down.”
Protest ABQ was a campaign that was intended to only last a season, until the fruit of our protest efforts produced an environment where we can accomplish our ultimate goal:
Abortion Free: New Mexico.
Stay tuned…
Visit ProtestABQ.com to read about our protest focuses and efforts over the past three years.
Albuquerque, NM — During a meeting with pro-life activists on Monday, March 6, 2017, representatives from the New Mexico Attorney General’s office confirmed that the University of New Mexico and Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion facility in the United States, are under investigation for violations of state law.
Tania Maestas, Deputy Attorney General, informed Tara Shaver, Senior Policy Advisor for ProtestABQ, and ProtestABQ’s senior attorney, Angelo Artuso, that a complaint filed by Shaver in 2015, is under investigation by the criminal division of the New Mexico Attorney General’s office.
Shaver’s complaint involved Southwestern Women’s Options consent forms from 2012 and 2015, which women are obligated to sign prior to abortions. Those forms state that the remains of babies aborted at Southwestern Women’s Options may be used in medical research.
In addition, Maestas informed Shaver and Artuso that the criminal referrals of UNM and Southwestern Women’s Options made by the U.S. House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas last year, are also under investigation.
The House Select Investigative Panel presented Balderas with evidence to back up their findings, which included several key points. (Read more about this.)
1. Taxpayers partially fund both UNM and the Southwestern Women’s Options late-term abortion business.
2. Two UNM abortionists created a radically pro-abortion climate at the “resistant” university and created a cultural shift that now aggressively promotes abortion.
3. The primary goal of UNM’s partnership with Southwestern Women’s Options was to increase the volume of second trimester abortions, in order to provide the UNM Health Sciences Center with an ample supply of aborted infant remains for “research” and other purposes.
4. Southwestern Women’s Options is the sole provider of “aborted infant tissue” to the UNM Health Sciences Center (UNMHSC).
5. Whole brains from aborted babies were admittedly used for dissection by “summer camp” students.
6. UNM’s training agreement with Southwestern Women’s Options violated UNM’s own policies and procedures on such contracts.
7. UNM granted faculty status to Southwestern Women’s Options abortionists that included employee benefits that provided professional and financial benefit. These benefits may qualify as “valuable consideration,” which would put them in violation of State and Federal law.
8. The Select Investigative Panel agreed with Shaver’s conclusions that New Mexico’s Spradling Act was violated.
“This is a matter of urgency as aborted baby remains are still being harvested and transferred between the facilities for experimental research. Each day that passes poses a risk to the public and sends the message to the New Mexico abortion cartel that they have free reign to do as they please,” said Shaver. “We are grateful for the confirmation from the New Mexico Attorney General’s office that the complaint and referral before them is being taken seriously and we urge them to work quickly to resolve this very important matter.”
“We urge the New Mexico Attorney General’s office to move with all possible speed to bring those involved in criminal conduct at UNM and Southwestern Women’s Options to justice,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, who also provided information during the Select Panel’s Investigation. “The longer the investigation drags on, the more UNM and the Southwestern Women’s Options abortion business will continue to break the law and exploit women, all at taxpayers’ expense.”
The abortion cartel in New Mexico has been operating by it’s own standards for far too long, and now the state’s publicly funded university, UNM is involved in an unspeakable scandal of using aborted baby remains, for experimental research, from one of the most notorious late term abortion facilities in the nation. This requires immediate action and without peaceful and prayerful pressure there may never be any progress in this matter of life and death that weighs heavily on the state.
Protest ABQ sponsored a press conference and peaceful protest at the state capital building in Santa Fe this month for our official launch of “Investigate and Prosecute” the New Mexico Abortion Cartel campaign. This campaign is aimed at urging New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas to investigate complaints and referrals submitted to him regarding the out of control abortion cartel in the state. New Mexico politicians have forgotten that they work for us and have been entrusted with the task of enacting and enforcing laws that bring justice to the oppressed. Our leaders will continue to turn a blind eye unless we show them that this is unacceptable in New Mexico.
The national #DefundPP protest in Albuquerque, was a huge success. The event was sponsored locally by Protest ABQ. Close to 300 turned out to protest Planned Parenthood!
Several other protests were held throughout the month as we debuted new signs on the truth truck. We lit up the darkness in Albuquerque neighborhoods, overpasses and thousands saw the truth about what abortion does to children and who is perpetuating this injustice in NM.
(Angelo Artuso, Tara Shaver, and Fr. Stephen Imbarrato)
In addition to visiting New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas’s office during our “Investigate and Prosecute” the New Mexico Abortion Cartel Campaign Launch, Protest ABQ’s Senior Attorney, Angelo Artuso, (Pictured- above- with Tara and Fr. Imbarrato) testified in Santa Fe during a House Education Committee hearing.
HB 267 is a bill that we’re keeping an eye on. If passed without further amendments it would make public university research records unattainable by the public. This bill is a dangerous overreach of the legislature and needed to be exposed, so we asked our pro-life friends to contact the republican sponsor of the bill…
Apparently the GOP in New Mexico doesn’t like being held accountable, our “tactics” (of simply urging the public to call the bill’s sponsor to amend the wording) was deemed to be an attack against this representative. Where is the transparency in government that is so needed? Where is the humility of leaders to admit their mistakes and work to correct them in public service to those who elected them? Both are surely needed here. Please pray for our leaders.
Excerpt from NM Political Report regarding HB 267 Committee Hearing
“Angelo Artuso warns that a move by lawmakers to shield some university research from the public eye could lead to harrowing consequences. At a Wednesday morning House committee hearing, Artuso invoked some of history’s darkest state-sanctioned university research projects. For decades, researchers at Tuskegee University studied the effects of syphilis by pretending to offer infected Black men free health care. And several colleges and universities from the early 1950s until 1973 were involved in Project MKUltra, a CIA program that used drugs like LSD unknowingly on human subjects to experiment with mind control.
Programs like those, involving government-funded atrocities at institutions of higher learning, Artuso maintained, would remain hidden at New Mexico public higher education institutions under a bill sponsored by state Reps. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, and Carl Trujillo, D-Santa Fe. The bill, now stalled in the committee, seeks to make ‘proprietary information and research data’ held by public colleges and universities not public.‘This bill erects a pretty strong wall of secrecy on any records deemed research by universities,’ Artuso told lawmakers at Wednesday’s hearing.”
Thank you for your prayers and support on behalf of our ministry and our family. We love you all and keep you in our prayers.
Ways to be a blessing for life in the new year:
-Become a monthly financial partner securely online here.
-Give a one-time financial gift from your income tax return.
-Host us for a “Missionary Meet and Greet” in your home by inviting friends to learn about our family and our work here in New Mexico.
“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
NEW MEXICO!
We have some serious problems. The most liberal assisted suicide bill in the nation has been proposed here in NM and is moving through the NM Roundhouse. This bill would pretty much allow anyone help anyone else commit suicide for any reason and then cover up the fact that it was an assisted suicide. Catholic democrats are supporting this and even some republicans!
(Proud Catholic for Choice, Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino)
Of course Ortiz y Pino is a radical democrat Catholic pro-abort who is a proud member of ABQ Catholics for Choice! There is a bill in this years legislative session that few people have noticed and I know you will take action when you see it. It is SB282 sponsored by Senator Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque. This bill forces ALL hospitals in New Mexico to perform abortions and has penalties for those who refuse.
Action Needed to prevent bill that will hinder transparency at UNM and other research Universities.
By Tara Shaver
Albuquerque, NM- One of the many obstacles we face here in New Mexico is the lack of transparency. The University of New Mexico (UNM), in particular, is notorious for keeping things they don’t want brought to light, hidden from members of the public that fund them with their tax dollars. Rep. Jason Harper (R) from Rio Rancho is sponsoring a bill that will further protect UNM and other research Universities from being transparent and held accountable by public citizens.
“Instead of demanding more accountability and being more vocal about the University of New Mexico’s radical abortion agenda that is being funded by taxpayers, it is disconcerting that some Republicans are attempting introduce legislation that will provide more cover and less transparency. With this latest development coming to light, it is becoming more apparent that the Abortion Cartel in New Mexico is being given aid and cover by both the Republicans and Democrats,” stated Bud Shaver, executive director of Protest ABQ.
HB 267 the Exempt College Certain Proprietary Info Act seeks to prevent citizens from obtaining certain “proprietary” information through inspection of public records requests (IPRA). The language used in this bill is so broad that UNM and others could shut down IPRA requests by claiming that the information being sought fits the following criteria when in fact it does not.
“data, records or information of a proprietary nature produced or collected by or for faculty or staff of a public post-secondary educational institution in the conduct of or as a result of study or research on medical, scientific, technical or scholarly issues where such data, records or information has not been publicly released, published, copyrighted or patented;
In a free and open society, it is a fundamental right of every citizen to obtain and inspect public records especially from publicly funded institutions, like UNM. However, HB 267 will hinder that process and ultimately protect UNM and their radically pro-abortion agenda from public accountability that is already unchecked at every turn.
Angelo Artuso, attorney for Protest ABQ issued the following statement:
“HB 267 contains a dangerous amendment that will, in all likelihood, prevent the sort of public information that has been obtained over the years by local activists, showing UNM’s relationship with Southwestern Women’s Options and their collaboration in harvesting and utilizing aborted baby remains in research. On its face, the statute is too broad. Who will decide if the information obtained from a private party or entity is “proprietary?” What does that mean? Who decides whether information produced or collected by the University is properly considered “proprietary?”
There are too many questions surrounding this bill and too much at stake should it pass. For these reasons we ask you to contact Rep. Harper and ask him to withdraw this bill until he can work with someone who can amend it properly so that it doesn’t infringe upon a citizens right to have access to and inspect public records.
HB 267 is set to be heard in the House Education Committee on Friday, February 17, 2017. In addition, please contact these committee members and ask them to oppose HB267.
Sample Wording and Email Addresses to simply Copy/Paste:
In a free and open society, it is a fundamental right of every citizen to obtain and inspect public records especially from publicly funded institutions, like UNM. However, HB 267 will hinder that process and ultimately protect UNM and other universities from providing transparency regarding experimental research that is important for the public to know about.
In the interest of public accountability and oversight, please oppose HB 267.
Albuquerque, NM- The legislative session is well under way here in New Mexico. Today is the last day for legislators to submit their bills to be voted upon during this 60 day session. Both Republicans and Democrats have a slew of bills that represent where they stand on some very important issues facing our state and our nation.
Republicans have sponsored legislation to protect babies born alive during abortions as well as late term abortion victims who have high probabilities of living outside the womb if given the chance.
Democrats have sponsored bills to expand birth control coverage under the Affordable Care Act and to penalize doctors who refuse to do abortions based on their religious convictions.
“It is encouraging to see pro-life state legislators sponsor solid no exceptions legislation that will protect pre-born babies in the womb. Both Senator Bill Sharer (R) from Farmington and Rep. Yvette Herrell (R) from Alamogordo have tightened up their late term abortion ban bills that DO NOT contain exceptions for rape and incest nor the subjective psychological “health” exception in them. Rep. Rod Montoya (R) from Farmington is sponsoring the Infant Born Alive Protection Act. We fully support these pieces of legislation and encourage other legislators to support these bills that will save the lives of viable babies in our state,” stated Bud Shaver.
Bills to support:
HB 37 Born Alive Infant ProtectionBorn Alive Infant Protection
HB 220 Partial and Late Term Abortion
SB 183 Partial and Late Term Abortion
SB 120 Vital Record Sex Designation (This bill allows a person to change their gender on their birth certificate)
SB 121 No Conversion Therapy (This bill prohibits counselors and clergy from providing therapy asserting that the homosexual lifestyle is contrary to biblical teaching)
Please contact your Senator and Representative by phone and email to tell them where you stand on these various bills.
By Tara Shaver
Albuquerque, NM- The national #DefundPP protest in Albuquerque, New Mexico was a huge success. The event was sponsored locally by Protest ABQ. Close to 300 turned out to protest Planned Parenthood!
Video footage captured on location filmed the protest for over 14 minutes which kept… going and going!
There was a diverse representation of the pro-life community who peacefully and prayerfully came together with a unified voice demanding that Planned Parenthood be defunded and closed down!
Including New Mexico, pro-life activists in 45 states and over 200 locations all across America protested Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider on February 11, 2017 and called upon Congress and the 45th president, Donald J. Trump to defund the abortion giant. While a majority of Americans are fed up with their hard earned tax dollars being used to prop up an abortion industry that is killing children, as of publishing time I have heard NO reports of pro-lifers rioting, looting, smashing windows, destroying property, setting fires, attacking anyone, or being arrested in ANY of the 200 locations nationwide…
That’s because the pro-life movement is a peaceful and prayerful protest movement!
Most locations reported pro-abortion counter protestors that showed up in support of Planned Parenthood who were vulgar and aggressive. In fact, in Washington D.C. Father Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest reported that the pro-abortion mobs linked arms and attempted to block their pro-life procession at every intersection on their route from the U.S. Supreme Court to a mega Planned Parenthood in D.C. The belligerent pro-aborts pushed and shoved the peaceful pro-lifers but fortunately they had a police escort to keep their procession clear of obstruction!
Reverend Patrick Mahoney published a video capturing the rowdy agitators, “Pro choice demonstrators Blocking our pro-life march and prayer service.”
In stark contrast to violent pro-abortion counter protestors, USA Today reported from the #DefundPP protest in Tempe Arizona,
Lisa Blevins, who organized the anti-Planned Parenthood protesters, said she has protested at the Planned Parenthood Tempe location every weekend for more than a year.
“We’re peaceful, prayful people. We are based on prayer. We respond to them (the other protesters) by praying for and blessing them,” she said. “We listen to them and we stay in peaceful prayer.”
Here are some pictures from #DefundPP in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thanks to everyone who came out to stand in solidarity with one another for life!
Protest Rally in Albuquerque one of over 200 nationwide calling for the defunding of abortion giant Planned Parenthood
Albuquerque, NM- On February 11, a protest rally will be held at the Planned Parenthood facility at 701 San Mateo Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, from 10-11am. This event is one of over 200 being coordinated nationwide by the #ProtestPP Coalition, calling for Planned Parenthood to be stripped of all federal funding, and for all such funding to be redirected to Federally Qualified Health Centers that do not perform abortions. Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion chain, receives over $420 million from the federal government every year.
Congressional leaders are working to cut funding for the controversial organization as part of the budget reconciliation process, while preserving the assistance this funding is meant to provide for to poor women. Protest Rallies will be held nationwide on February 11 in over 200 cities from coast to coast, supporting the defunding effort and educating the public about Planned Parenthood’s central role in the abortion industry and their long record of unethical activity.
“Planned Parenthood claims that American women rely on them for healthcare, but in fact four out of five women will never set foot in a Planned Parenthood facility,” said Tara Shaver Spokeswoman for Protest ABQ. “Planned Parenthood provides less than 1% of annual pap tests and zero mammograms, but performs 34% of annual abortions in the U.S. They’ve been caught shielding child predators, defrauding Medicaid, and harvesting fetal tissue for profit. This controversial organization does not deserve our tax dollars, it deserves to be closed down.”
Shaver emphasizes that no funding would be taken away from programs that help poor women and families. Every dollar taken from Planned Parenthood would be redirected to Federally Qualified Health Centers that provide a wider range of services and higher standard of care than Planned Parenthood, without doing abortions. “The effort to defund Planned Parenthood has nothing to with taking healthcare away from women. It’s about taking tax dollars away from the nation’s largest abortion chain,” she explained.
#ProtestPP is a coalition of state and national pro-life groups, headed by three national pro-life activist organizations: Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Created Equal, and the Pro-Life Action League. For the February 11 rally, 40 Days for Life is also serving as a major partner.
For more information please contact: Tara Shaver, shavermissions@gmail.com.
This January we reflected on the fact that we began our pro-life ministry efforts a decade ago. (2007-2017) From Friendship Evangelists living in Flagstaff, AZ to Notorious Pro-Life Activists: Our battle in the trenches began a decade ago and we’ve never been the same. God moved in our hearts those many years ago and enabled us to make the commitment to seek justice for pre-born children, which we are still striving to do today.
By 2009 we were serving in Los Angeles, CA alongside a passionate team of young people with Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust. One of our first stops in our cross country tour was Obama’s inauguration. Our pro-life group was the very first presence allowed onto the inauguration route that day.
We weren’t violent or hateful though, in fact, we came in just the opposite spirit, we came peacefully and prayerfully to our nation’s capital. Obama’s inauguration ushered in the most radical pro-abortion administration in the history of America. So, for the majority of our ministry we have been at war and under oppression like never before in our nation.
However, this month Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America and what a difference 8 years makes. With a brand new administration comes a new opportunity for hope!
Even in his first week, President Trump has done so much good and w e hope that there is more to come. Our prayer is that our new president, will usher in a new season not just for our family, who is weary from battle, but also usher in a new season for our country.
Coalition For Life of Las Cruces announced this month that Whole Woman’s Health abortion facility has closed its doors! One less abortion facility in New Mexico is a huge victory for the pro-life community and the result of the hard work of many activists who labored to expose this place of death over the past two years.
In 2014 when this facility was making plans to open, we helped expose it’s beginning of shady practices such as operating without a business license and utilizing an out of state abortionist. Our good friends Manny and Grace also took a team down for prayer covering in the border area of New Mexico (Nehemiah 4:7-8).
This is the third abortion clinic to close in New Mexico over the past six years… When they do, lives are saved and communities are blessed.
Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day Santa Fe, NM
January 18, 2017- We traveled up to Santa Fe this month to participate in the annual pro-life procession and rally.
March for Life Albuquerque
We were also blessed to participate in a grassroots protest held in Albuquerque to stand in solidarity with those marching for Life in Washington D.C. It was a beautiful display of how true unity is possible in New Mexico.
(Sunday January 22, 2017: San Clemente Parish Los Lunas, NM)
This month a parish located south of Albuquerque recreated a holocaust museum in their church using some of our educational and abortion victim image signs and their youth presented a 45 min presentation tilted, “The Silent Holocaust”. During Sanctity of Life month, most Christians expect to at least hear abortion mentioned in a sermon but this church raised the bar… by hosting Protest ABQ!
We were very encouraged by this pro-life church and by the zeal of the young people who are passionately pursuing a culture of life. Pray that more will rise up!
National Defund Planned Parenthood- Albuquerque, NM
For those in the Albuquerque area, please join us at a Protest Rally to Defund Planned Parenthood on Saturday, February 11th, 10-11am. PP Location: 701 San Mateo Blvd. NE. Sponsored by Protest ABQ
Love and Blessings, Bud and Tara
Thank you for your prayers and support on behalf of our ministry and our family. We love you all and keep you in our prayers.
Ways to be a blessing for life in the new year:
-Become a monthly financial partner securely online here.
-Give a one-time financial gift from your income tax return.
-Host us for a “Missionary Meet and Greet” in your home by inviting friends to learn about our family and our work here in New Mexico.
“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
Flashback to 2008 with Bud and Tara Shaver and witness our heart and hear our ultimate hope…
Bud and Tara Shaver conduct an interview back in 2008 while on the Campus Life Tour with the Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, “Our ultimate hope…” During our time with on tour with Survivors we visited over 180 college and high school campuses all across the country educating our peers with the truth about abortion. We were invading Liberal “Safe-Spaces” before it was cool!
The battle to defund the nation’s largest abortion chain, Planned Parenthood, has turned RED HOT.
Pro-life leaders in Washington are calling for Planned Parenthood to be defunded RIGHT NOW, as the 115th Congress takes office.
But to do it, they need pro-lifers like YOU to show strong grassroots support, all across the country, for stripping Planned Parenthood of their massive taxpayer subsidy.
That’s why Albuquerque is joining the National Protest Rally to Defund Planned Parenthood, taking place at PP centers all over the United States on February 11.
Join tens of thousands of pro-lifers nationwide in building a groundswell of support for the immediate defunding of Planned Parenthood.
Here are all the details:
EVENT: National Defund PP Protest Rally in Albuquerque
WHEN: Saturday, February 11, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Planned Parenthood, 701 San Mateo Blvd. NE Facebook Event Page (Please Join and Share)
Come out February 11, and bring your friends — we need all hands on deck if we’re going to win this historic pro-life battle.
Defunding Planned Parenthood would be the greatest pro-life victory in a generation. Within months, they could be shutting down centers all over the country!
Do your part to win this victory by spreading the word about the big nationwide Defund PP rally and joining your fellow pro-lifers in Albuquerque on February 11!
Albuquerque, NM- Today over 100 people gathered in front of Albuquerque’s Planned Parenthood to stand in solidarity with those marching for life in Washington D.C.This was completely grassroots. It was sponsored by all of us who want to stand up and give a voice to the voiceless.
Many woman today told us that those who vulgarly and hatefully raged against President Trump last week did not represent them. We also heard that many people feel a sense of hope for true and positive change with the new administration that is heeding the voice of “We the people.”
It is a beautiful thing when people spontaneously desire to come together in unity and stand for life, today was just another example of how that is possible in New Mexico.
The next major protest at Planned Parenthood in Albuquerque will be a nationwide call to #DefundPP. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
#DefundPP Protest Albuquerque: Sponsored by ProtestABQ.com
When: Saturday, February 11th Where: 701 San Mateo Blvd. NE Time: 10:00-11:00am Contact: Tara, shavermissions@gmail.com
(Pictured: Pastor Manny’s team- Las Cruces, NM 2014)
By Tara Shaver
Las Cruces, NM- Coalition For Life of Las Cruces announced that Whole Woman’s Health abortion facility has closed its doors! One less abortion facility in New Mexico is a huge victory for the pro-life community and the result of hard work of many activists who worked to expose this place of death over the past two years. Coalition For Life of Las Cruces has done terrific work keeping the pressure on this facility and are witnessing the fruit of their labor.
When Protest ABQ learned that the opening of this facility had been scheduled back in 2014, our friends Pastor Manny and Grace Lardizabal took a team of prayer warriors to Southern New Mexico to cover the city of Las Cruces in prayer. Their team also conducted public outreach in the neighborhoods of Las Cruces and surrounding communities, including Dona Ana, St. Theresa then across the state border to Anthony and El Paso, Texas. Referencing Nehemiah 4:7-8, Grace stated,
“We covered the borders in prayer. Because of them, we made our prayers to our God and set a watch against them day and night.”
The facility took an extra month to get it together and open up shop. Once Whole Woman’s Health did finally open we did an undercover investigation and found them to be operating without a proper city required permit. Like other abortion facilities in this nation, Whole Woman’s Health didn’t think that laws applied to them which raised many red flags very early on. We also uncovered their abortionist was a circuit rider who traveled to Las Cruces from Arizona each week to perform the abortions.
“With all of the mismanagement and an out of state abortionist, in addition to a well mobilized pro-life community, it is no surprise that this facility failed. Ultimately we know that lives will be saved due to this abortion clinic closing and it’s our prayer that we will continue to see more New Mexico abortion facilities close in the future,” stated Bud Shaver.
This is the third abortion clinic to close in New Mexico over the past six years. In 2011 Bruce Ferguson closed his abortion clinic located in Albuquerque, New Mexico according to him for his own…”sanity.”
Also, in 2011, Santa Fe abortionist Lucia Cies retired and closed down the only clinic in Santa Fe offering abortions. Santa Fe remained abortion free until we uncovered that nurse practitioner, Vivianne Clark working for Planned Parenthood of Santa Fe was being reimbursed for abortions that she was doing illegally. Protest ABQ filed a complaint with the New Mexico nursing board, that compliant is still pending.
In 2014, the University of New Mexico relocated their free-standing abortion clinic, according to them, “Because we are being protested!” Peaceful protests and having an active presence at abortion killing centers does close them down and when abortion facilities do close, lives are saved.
Los Lunas, NM- San Clemente Parish in Los Lunas, New Mexico raised the pro-life bar for churches on this Sunday anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, January 22, 2017… by hosting Protest ABQ. They didn’t just mention abortion from the pulpit or simply preach a pro-life sermon… They set up an Abortion Holocaust Museum in their church and had a 45 minute presentation led by their youth group titled, “The Silent Holocaust”. That’s how you reset the pro-life church bar for 2017!
Our family was very encouraged by this special presentation and by the zeal of the young people who are passionately pursuing a culture of life. Please join us in praying that our youth will continue to rise up and be a voice for the voiceless in this nation.
Albuquerque, NM- Eight years ago Tara and I joined a group of peaceful pro-life protesters in Washington D.C. at the crack of dawn onto the inauguration route of newly elected President, Barack Obama. In fact we (pro-lifers) were the very first presence allowed onto his inauguration route that day. Reverend Patrick Mahoney led the way through the check points with his secret service contacts amidst “boo’s” from the massive crowds. We were protesting at an inauguration before it was a trendy thing to do but what did our banners say?
“Mr. President, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
We weren’t violent or hateful though, in fact, we came in just the opposite spirit, we came peacefully and prayerfully to our nation’s capital.
That inauguration ushered in the most radical pro-abortion administration in the history of America. We also had signs and trucks driving around the city stating and protesting,
(2007 – Bud being illegally arrested in Los Angeles, CA)
Today, January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America and what a difference 8 years makes. With a brand new administration comes a new opportunity for hope! As Christians we are called to pray for our leaders. While we have offered countless prayers for our former president, Barack Obama, we have a glimpse at our prayers now being answered. Most Christians fail to realize that we are told what to specifically pray for regarding our leaders. Let’s look at 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 …
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority…
We are told specifically what to pray for…
“That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
While we will continue to hold our leaders, including Donald J. Trump and his administration accountable, our prayer is that our new president, will usher in a new season not just for our family, who is weary from battle, but also usher in a new season for our country. Vice President Mike Pence took his oath of office and placed his hand upon this verse in 2 Chronicles:
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
We are weary from a decade of being at war, our prayer is that God hears Vice President, Mike Pence’s prayer and our prayer, that he will heal our land and that we can all live quietly and at peace, in all godliness and holiness.
(2007-2017) From Friendship Evangelists to Notorious Pro-Life Activists: Our battle in the trenches began a decade ago back in 2007…
Three Major Articles Documenting our pro-life efforts:
2008- 2009: Full-time Anti-Abortion Activists with Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust Los Angeles California
Starting in Washington D.C. at George Mason University after Barack Obama’s Inauguration, we visited over 180 college and high school campuses all across the country educating our peers with the truth about abortion. We were invading Liberal “Safe-Spaces” before it was cool!
Albuquerque, NM- This week thousands will gather in Santa Fe to attend a pro-life Mass celebrated by the three bishops of New Mexico followed by a procession to the Roundhouse where a rally will be held to mourn another year of legalized pre-born child killing in this country.
This annual event is sponsored by the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops and all are welcome and encouraged to attend.
While New Mexico faces many obstacles in the overall effort to protect human life, a major concern this 2017 session is the potential introduction of a physician assisted death bill into the legislature. State Representative Bill McCamley (D-Las Cruces) told the Albuquerque Journal that he plans to introduce such a bill this session.
In June of last year the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld New Mexico’s Assisted Suicide Act, which prohibits deliberately helping another person take his or her own life and is considered a fourth degree felony.
This law was challenged in 2014 by none other than two physicians at… the University of New Mexico Hospital. These two physicians, in addition to a cancer patient in Santa Fe (whose cancer is now in remission as of June 2016) had apparently challenged the law in order to allow physicians the ability to kill their patients but evade being held responsible under New Mexico law.
Earlier this month in “The Great Gift of Life” written by New Mexico Archbishop John C. Wester he states, “those that support doctor-assisted suicide use names like ‘death with dignity,’ ‘aid in dying,’ or ‘compassion in choices,’ because they mistakenly believe that allowing someone to end their life on their own is a dignified action. However, there is no dignity or compassion in assisted suicide.”
In addition the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement regarding the New Mexico Supreme Courts decision stating in part, “In the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis calls us to be deliberate in our acts of kindness and love. One of the greatest ways to love is to journey with another’s suffering and pain. Here, we make a call for a consistent ethic of life.”
Protest ABQ stands with the Bishops of New Mexico in affirming life from conception until natural death and oppose any effort by New Mexico legislators to further push this agenda of physician assisted suicide.
“It has always been discouraging to see so many Catholic legislators vote for death and against their faith. If an assisted suicide bill is proposed this session, it is an opportunity for Catholic legislators to show the faithful that they truly respect life and Catholic teaching more than their political agendas,” stated Fr. Imbarrato: The Protest Priest, Priests for Life.
During this session it will be interesting to see if radically pro-abortion Catholic legislators like Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, Sen. Michael Padilla, Sen. Bill O’Neill, and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, will continue to defy their faith and the bishops of New Mexico by going a step further in their rebellion and support physician assisted suicide legislation in 2017.
Noon Mass at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
231 Cathedral Pl, Santa Fe, NM 87501 1:30pm: Procession from Basilica to Roundhouse 2:00pm: Rally at Roundhouse and Visiting Legislators
Albuquerque, NM- Congressman Steve Pearce (R- District 2) issued a statement today in response to the Select Panel on Infant Lives’ final report and second criminal referral that was given to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas. Pearce urges state and University of New Mexico leaders to address violations that have been uncovered by the panel over the course of their year long investigation.
(New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas)
Protest ABQ appreciates Congressman Pearce’s public leadership and his demand for accountability. Respecting human life and ensuring that the rule of law is equally applied is relevant to New Mexico and and we stand with Congressman Pearce when he states,
I am here to remind UNM, SWWO, and NM Attorney General Hector Balderas that respecting human life is relevant. I am here to remind them that as a taxpayer funded institution, upholding the law and punishing violators is relevant.
Protest ABQ filed an initial complaint with the AG’s office over 500 days ago, In addition to our citizen filed complaint, Attorney General Balderas now has two congressional criminal referrals before him with regard to Southwestern Women’s Options late term abortion facility and the University of New Mexico’s involvement with the trafficking of aborted baby remains for experimental research, lack of informed consent, and potential local and federal law violations.
Congressman Pearce continues,
We have reached a critical point where UNM and the NM Attorney General must decide if the rule of law applies to everyone, or if they will remain silent and let the negligence of laws and human life become the status quo. The laws of fetal tissue procurement are exact and prescriptive, and by their own admission UNM and SWWO either don’t know the laws or don’t care about them. It is time for the leaders of UNM and the New Mexico Attorney General to ensure that illegal and unethical conduct at the expense of innocent New Mexicans is investigated and met with just punishment.
Protest ABQ has been critical of Republican leadership for their silent indifference in the face of the barbaric treatment of New Mexico’s children living in the womb. In addition, Protest ABQ has also called out Catholic Democrats for putting their party before their faith by promoting a radical abortion agenda in New Mexico. This troubling combination has contributed in New Mexico’s shameful status as the Late-Term Abortion Capital of the country and is now embroiled in a national scandal involving the trafficking in human baby body parts at the demand of the University of New Mexico for their experimental research programs.Father Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest issued the following statement,
It is stunning how silent political and church leaders have been about UNM’s full term abortion business and relations as well as many other immoral activities undertaken by the university. Republicans are supposed to be prolife and our churches are supposed to be moral watchtowers. Equally shocking is the silence of these leaders about Catholic Democrat NM AG Hector Balderas’ failure to do his job and investigate the long list of complaints brought forth against UNM. Thank you, Congressman Pearce for leading the effort to shed light on Balderas and UNM,” stated Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Priests for Life.
Read Congressman Steve Pearce’s full press release below:
Pearce Urges UNM Board of Regents, New Mexico Attorney General to Uphold Laws and Respect for Human Life
Washington, DC (January 6, 2017) Congressman Steve Pearce released the following statement after the second criminal referral to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas was made by the U.S. House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, imploring state and university leaders to address the serious violations uncovered by the Panel’s investigation.
“The entire report released by the Select Panel raises serious concerns of ethical and legal violations occurring at UNM and Southwestern Women’s Options. Most troubling though is their complete disregard for regulations put in place by lawmakers to protect women and children. UNM and SWWO have created a culture where obtaining baby body parts, deceiving patients, and maintaining faculty perks are higher priorities than following laws and basic healthcare principles,” said Pearce.
During the Select Panel’s investigation an employee of SWWO and faculty member of UNM admitted that she had never received proper consent from a patient for the harvesting of baby body parts, and further acknowledged that she did not recognize the consent form SWWO and UNM provided to the Panel. Another faculty member from UNM admitted that there is no procedure in place to handle infants who are born alive during an abortion, and confirmed that there have been instances of infants exiting the womb before expected. When asked if she was familiar with the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, she responded that she was not familiar and that she did not understand the relevancy to her practice.
“I am here to remind UNM, SWWO, and NM Attorney General Hector Balderas that respecting human life is relevant. I am here to remind them that as a taxpayer funded institution, upholding the law and punishing violators is relevant. In the UNM Health Sciences Center Code of Ethics, Dr. Paul Roth writes that, ‘In order to maintain public trust and accountability, we adhere to the highest ethical standards and compliance in all research activities.’ So I ask Dr. Roth, the UNM Board of Regents, NM Attorney General Hector Balderas and the taxpayers of our state; is it ethical to disregard procedures that check for signs of life, such as looking for a heartbeat or giving an Apgar test? Is it ethical for UNM to obtain the body parts of aborted babies, including baby brains for a high school summer camp dissection project, without proper consent? Is it ethical to leave a baby to die without care or acknowledgement in the name of research?
We have a reached a critical point where UNM and the NM Attorney General must decide if the rule of law applies to everyone, or if they will remain silent and let the negligence of laws and human life become the status quo. The laws of fetal tissue procurement are exact and prescriptive, and by their own admission UNM and SWWO either don’t know the laws or don’t care about them. It is time for the leaders of UNM and the New Mexico Attorney General to ensure that illegal and unethical conduct at the expense of innocent New Mexicans is investigated and met with just punishment.”
The Select Panel on Infant Lives sent their first criminal referral in June of 2016 and, after finding more evidence of violations in the procedures of fetal tissue procurement by the University of New Mexico and Southwestern Women’s Options, sent their second criminal referral in December 2016
Albuquerque, NM- The Select Panel on Infant Lives has issued their final 471 page report after a year long in depth investigation into the trafficking of aborted fetal remains throughout the nation. This investigation has uncovered so much and produced vital information that has culminated in various criminal referrals including to our own New Mexico Attorney General.
Protest ABQ applauds the work of the House Select Panel and would also like to acknowledge the real unsung heroes of this entire investigation, our friends and mentors Troy Newman and Cheryl Sullenger. This report vindicates decades of their tireless research revealing abortion abuses nationwide. In fact, it was Operation Rescue who deployed us to New Mexico in 2010 and have collaborated with us on various projects and the filing of subsequent complaints that have helped lay the foundation for the break through of exposure that has taken place.
“In 2011 when we published our first article exposing the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) radical abortion agenda, we had no idea that 5 years later New Mexico would be at the heart of a congressional investigation. Little did we know that the congressional panel would validate what we have said all along, that UNM is the heart of the abortion cartel in the state and that late term abortions are a common occurrence in our city of Albuquerque. We remember the days when we first arrived in New Mexico and very few people believed that late term abortions occurred let alone that UNM was involved in moving forward a radical abortion agenda,” stated Bud Shaver, Executive Director of Protest ABQ.
The Panel’s investigation revealed in part, the following:
– The Panel identified several research institutions across the United States, mostly state universities and virtually all recipients of federal as well as state funding, that have formed a close relationship with one or more abortion clinics.
– Most of the doctors west of the Mississippi who openly perform third- trimester abortions have faculty positions at either the University of New Mexico or the University of Colorado.
– The transfer of fetal tissue from Southwestern Women’s Options (SWWO) to UNM was one part of an aggressive campaign under which leadership personnel at UNM medical school: (1) expanded UNM’s role both in providing abortions and in training new abortion providers; (2) expanded UNM’s referral for abortion services to outside clinics, including the clinic from which it obtained fetal tissue;
– The close relationship between UNM and SWWO led to allegations of shoddy clinical practices, including failure to utilize a consent form for fetal tissue donation and improperly combining consent for tissue donation with consent for the underlying abortion procedure.
– Abortionist Eve Espey, who is described by the panel as the “arguably most responsible for making UNM an abortion provider” refused to answer questions about UNM’s own protocol regarding babies born alive during abortions. This policy states that “When an induced abortion results in a live-born infant showing any signs of life, such as a heartbeat or voluntary movement, a birth certificate should be completed. . . . A death certificate will be completed if the infant dies.”
[Essentially, even though the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act provides protections for babies who survive abortions, Espey who is chair of the OBGYN department at UNM stated that she was not familiar with the law and didn’t see it’s relevance to her practice. ]
– It also found that the transfer of fetal tissue from SWWO to UNM for research purposes is a systematic violation of New Mexico’s Spradling Act, under which tissue from aborted infants cannot be anatomical gifts.” According to the panel’s evaluation, “The Spradling Act was enacted in 2007 to replace the State’s existing Anatomical Gift Act with provisions mirroring the The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA). In their new law, New Mexico decided to follow the suggestion in the UAGA to treat aborted fetuses differently: “‘decedent’ means a deceased individual whose body or part is or may be the source of an anatomical gift.” It “includes a stillborn infant and …a fetus but (does) not includ(e) a fetus that is the subject of an induced abortion.”
Further, the Spradling Act provides that the Act “applies to an anatomical gift or amendment to, revocation of or refusal to make an anatomical gift, whenever made.” In other words, all anatomical gifts in the State of New Mexico must comply with this act, and the bodies or body parts of aborted infants cannot be anatomical gifts.
– Virtually every entity and individual from whom the Panel sought documents did not fully comply, regardless of whether the documents were required to be produced pursuant to a subpoena, or were requested via a letter.
– Scientific societies and universities have made misleading claims about fetal tissue research. Human fetal tissue constitutes only a tiny fraction of the overall research effort. Moreover, research involving human fetal tissue is less productive and has lower importance/impact when compared to non-fetal research from the same laboratories.” [Note: This is a justification that UNM uses which according to the panel’s research, fetal tissue research has not produced, nor is it necessary, to bring about the greatest impact and advances.]
The House Select Panel also included recommendations in this final report that include but are not limited to, defunding Planned Parenthood of government funding and passing a law to ban abortions after 20 weeks.
The University of New Mexico is a publicly funded institution and as such taxpayers should be afforded transparency and accountability in light of the panel’s findings and criminal referral to the New Mexico Attorney General. Protest ABQ has launched a campaign to urge Attorney General Hector Balderas to investigate and prosecute SWO and UNM. We have sent postcards throughout the state alerting constituents that he has two criminal complaints on his desk and has been unresponsive as to the status of these complaints. It is our hope that justice will finally be served on behalf of the ultimate victims of abortion, the pre-born children.
As 2016 comes to an end, we’d like to share with you a glimpse into the past year of ministry here in New Mexico. Each year as we look back, we are amazed by how God has moved and worked to further peel back the layers of New Mexico’s stony heart. The battle for life is fierce here in the desert but the Lord keeps moving us forward and blessing our efforts. Thank you for standing with us and for your prayers and support!
#5 – Albuquerque’s anti-abortion crusaders: Bud and Tara Shaver take no prisoners in their ‘culture of life’ campaign.
(Picture from the Albuquerque Journal)
2016 marked 6 years of ministry in New Mexico. We’ve worked tirelessly to expose and oppose the New Mexico Abortion Cartel. This year started off with a front page pro-file piece by the state’s largest newspaper: The Albuquerque Journal. We were surprised by how fair and balanced this report on us was and we were grateful that our efforts and our primary focus as missionaries was conveyed accurately.
#4 – Presentation to Legislators: Inside New Mexico Reproductive Health Clinics
(Photo of Fr. Stephen Imbarrato and Tara Shaver)
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato and Tara Shaver introduced a compilation video and presentation of 5 years of investigative research into New Mexico Reproductive Health Clinics at the Capital in Santa Fe for New Mexico legislators during the start of the 2016 legislative session.
Read the presentation recap and watch the full feature presented to legislators here:
#3 – New Mexico Baby Body Parts Scandal Timeline Recap
(July, 18, 2015 Protest and Press Conference sponsored by Protest ABQ)
Since July 2015 we have been involved in seeking accountability for the University of New Mexico and Southwestern Women’s Options regarding their collaboration in the use of aborted baby remains for experimental research. We will continue to keep the pressure on our New Mexico Attorney General in 2017.
Bud joined a coalition of the nations leading pro-life activist organizations led by Created Equal for #OperationRNC which included: Operation Rescue, Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, Citizens for A Pro-Life Society, Rev. Mahoney and Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest of Priests for Life in Cleveland, Ohio (July 13-15) for the run-up to the Republican National Convention (RNC).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. As a result of #OperationRNC the Republicans Adopted the most Pro-Life party platform EVER condemning abortion and Planned Parenthood!
One of New Mexico’s greatest hurdles and strong holds are Catholic politicians who are placing their party before their faith. We worked alongside Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest to expose and oppose several pro-abortion Catholic Democrats. We sent thousands of postcards throughout their districts and conducted numerous protests leading up to and including election day. In a major upset, the pro-life community successfully opposed pro-abortion Catholic Senator (D) Michael Sanchez who for years ensured that pro-life bills never saw the light of day. Protest ABQ set the stage for this monumental defeat with postcards and co-lead two key protests in this district leading up to election day.
Honorable Mention: Complaint Filed Against Planned Parenthood Nurse For Performing Illegal Abortions Under New Mexico Law
In April of 2016, Tara filed a formal complaint with the New Mexico Nursing Board against Vivianne Clark. Clark is a Registered Nurse who is employed by Planned Parenthood of New Mexico. New Mexico law states that only licensed physicians can perform abortions. Vivianne Clark is not a licensed physician and is therefore in violation of New Mexico’s Criminal Abortion Statute, NMSA Section 30-5-1, et seq. As we await the nursing board’s decision, please pray that Clark loses the ability to kill babies in New Mexico.
Thank YOU for standing with us, for your prayers and for making our pro-life efforts in New Mexico possible!
We love you all and keep you in our prayers. May you each be blessed in this new year 2017!
Ways to be a blessing for life in the new year:
-Become a monthly financial partner
-Give a one-time financial gift from your income tax return.
-Host us for a “Missionary Meet and Greet” in your home by inviting friends to learn about our family and our work here in New Mexico.
Recurring and tax deductible donations can be made online here.
“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
Albuquerque, NM – The U.S. Congress Select Investigative Committee has issued a SECOND criminal referral to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas. Let’s take a look back at how the Abortion Cartel’s atrocities catapulted New Mexico into the national spotlight…
Greetings! November was an amazing month on many fronts. Locally we announced our new focus for the coming year: Catholic Democrat New Mexico Attorney General (AG), Hector Balderas.
We have teamed up with national organizations Operation Rescue and Priests for Life to call on our Attorney General to investigate and prosecute the University of New Mexico and Southwestern Women’s Options for their involvement in the use of aborted baby remains, and more.
Even though a criminal referral has been handed down to AG Balderas from Congress, he has failed to act swiftly and pursue justice for the babies who are a mere commodity to the New Mexico abortion cartel.
The reality remains that New Mexico continues to be in the spotlight due to our non-existent laws on abortion, our leaders who support and condone abortion and the University of New Mexico’s entrenched abortion agenda.
Our message is clear, “Stand Up For The Babies and We Will Stand Down.” We want nothing more than for our leaders to do what is right, on their own, but the corruption runs deep…
In the coming months we will be prayerfully and peacefully exposing AG Balderas and holding him accountable for his poor leadership and for ignoring the plight of the pre-born children who die daily in his state.
Please join us in prayer that just as God moved the heart of Pharaoh to let his people go, that he would also move New Mexico Attorney General, Hector Balderas to place as a top priority protection for ALL children in New Mexico… including those who are, absolutely, the most vulnerable-those living in their mother’s wombs.
Hopeful Victory For Pre-Born Children In Our Country and New Mexico
We applaud Donald Trump for stepping into the arena and taking on the evil and corruption that has dominated American politics for some time now. Moving forward we must come together as a unified voice in our cities across this nation to make sure that Trump follows through with his campaign promises. We must not allow him to be like so many other leaders who say one thing to get elected and then fail to act to save the lives of pre-born children. We must all work harder to do what we can to stop the killing today by how we live our lives and obey God’s call to be salt and light in this world.
(Here we are as a family picking up signs to get out the vote for pro-life candidate Diego Espinoza in Sandoval County, New Mexico.)
Victory in Valencia County: Sen. Michael Sanchez Has Fallen
We are proud to congratulate those in New Mexico Senate District 29 who successfully opposed pro-abortion Catholic Senator (D) Michael Sanchez who has dominated the NM senate and continuously ensured that pro-life bills never see the light of day. Protest ABQ set the stage for this monumental defeat this summer as we sent postcards to his constituents letting them know that he is putting politics before his faith. We also co-lead two key protests in this district leading up to election day. It is very encouraging to see others take our lead and be successful in protesting evil and corruption that has such a strangle hold in New Mexico.
A local videographer from ABQ RAW contacted us this month asking for us to do a video to educate the public about the ins and outs of Roe v. Wade and abortion in New Mexico.
He was surprised that the Christians he knew were clueless about the laws of our country regarding abortion and that many of them had no idea how abortion devastates entire families.
Tara met up with him where we keep the truth truck and had a great time talking with him and making an informative video.
You make the impact of our divine calling to be missionaries in New Mexico a reality in the lives of countless moms we’ve helped over the years and the babies who are alive today because you give financially.
New Mexico is a different place than it was when we arrived 6 years ago and that is because of YOU!
One gracious donor asked us if she could make an appeal for us. We had no idea what she would write but we had to share it with you. Above all else this note will let you know how to pray for us and if you are so lead we hope that you will choose to partner with us this #GivingTuesday with a monthly financial gift to our ministry.
“The definition of a champion is a person who fights or argues for a cause or stands up on behalf of someone else.
I am writing you making an appeal on behalf of two champions that many of us have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know through the prolife community…”
LifeMinistriesUS (Non-Profit Umbrella Ministry) Founded by Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest: A consortium of ministries dedicated to obtaining constitutional protection (personhood) for unborn children from the moment of conception.
Donate to one (or ALL) of the affiliate Ministries of LifeMinistriesUS:
Protest ChildKilling: ProtestChildKilling.com
A sustained national peaceful and prayerful protest movement utilizing the models of Martin Luther King’s civil rights protests and Poland’s Solidarity Movement to bring awareness that abortion on demand have made unborn children an excluded class in this country and they deserve constitutional protection from the moment of conception.
#GivingTuesday 2016: Support Pro-Life Missionaries
We have the best supporters on the planet praying for us, encouraging us, standing with us and financially supporting us as pro-life missionaries. Yes, we are talking about YOU!
You make the impact of our divine calling to be missionaries to New Mexico a reality in the lives of countless moms we’ve helped over the years and the babies who are alive today because you give financially. New Mexico is a different place than it was when we arrived 6 years ago and that is because of YOU!
One gracious donor asked us if she could make an appeal for us. We had no idea what she would write but we had to share it with you. Above all else this note will let you know how to pray for us and if you are so lead we hope that you will choose to partner with us this #GivingTuesday with a monthly financial gift to our ministry.
We love you all!
Bud and Tara Shaver
Testimony From a Faithful Donor and Colaborer…
The definition of a champion is a person who fights or argues for a cause or stands up on behalf of someone else.
I am writing you making an appeal on behalf of two champions that many of us have had the privilege of meeting and getting to know through the prolife community. Bud and Tara Shaver relocated to New Mexico to pursue the cause of ending abortion and protecting pre-born children from ending up as an abortion statistic in a state that allows the killing of children in the womb through all nine months of pregnancy. How we came to this is another matter. But, God only knows how much we need champions like Bud and Tara. I don’t know of any other married couple who have devoted their lives in pursuit of something so difficult and yet so noble, right and good. And, they do this while raising a family of three children for which I don’t know how they manage.
What I do know is that they have advanced the cause of human life tremendously here in New Mexico and we should not take this for granted. Alongside, Father Stephen Imbarrato they have raised awareness of late term abortion and named who makes up the abortion cartel here in New Mexico. They have led countless protests, filed formal complaints with the New Mexico Medical Board and the Nursing Board, held numerous interviews with the press and their dedication to this cause has been written in many magazines and other publications.
They have sponsored pro-life legislation at the New Mexico state legislature and have even served as expert witnesses for pro-life bills. This in spite of the fact that our difficult political environment continues to support the abortion agenda. They have met with Governor Susana Martinez and her staff numerous times to inform and urge her to lead the state in a positive direction. Because of her lack of leadership in ending abortion they have also worked to hold her accountable.
Bud has shown up countless times, alone, standing on bridges over the freeway with signs strung along the bridge during the rain, wind and cold only to be harassed by people and the Department of Transportation. Bud has been physically attacked and has courageously stood up to outright evil in the eyes, words and actions of those who hate what he stands for and they hate him for having the determination and fortitude to remind them that children in the womb are deserving of life; after all, we were all living in the wombs of our mothers before we were born.
Their selfless giving is a standard that we should all try to measure up to and one way we can do that is to support their efforts through charitable giving so that they can continue to do this important work and we all know that it is difficult work. It is at times thankless, tiring, dangerous and not rewarding because of the many defeats through the culture of death that pervades our society and because of the women who still choose to kill their unborn babies. But, it is noble work that must go on.
Many of us hold full time jobs that would make it impossible to do the incredible amount of pro-life work that they do every day. But, I know that we all can give. We may not be able to give what we would like to every month. But, I know that everyone who supports what Bud and Tara are doing can give monetarily each and every month. I suggest a gift of $25 that can be deducted from your checking account automatically so that you don’t have do anything to send it their way and likely will not miss it.
If you don’t believe that you can afford that then what can you give up so that you can afford it? Is it coffee at Starbucks, lunch with friends, getting rid of cable TV? You will have to make that decision but, I know if you are passionate about ending abortion in New Mexico that you will find a way to bless this couple with your charitable giving and pray that their efforts to end abortion will have the effect that we all want because they are doing what we cannot do. They depend on your generosity so let’s show them that we can be generous and that we truly appreciate all that they are doing.
God bless Bud and Tara Shaver and their three children and God bless each of you for your prayerful and generous monthly donation to them for all that they do.
-Janet
May God receive the glory for all that He is accomplishing through us! Thank YOU for making our efforts possible.
Donations are tax deductible and can be scheduled quickly and securely online here.
To mail us a tax deductable check, please make it out to “Life Ministries US” and earmark it for The Shavers.
Send to:
Bud and Tara Shaver
PO Box 50351
Albuquerque, NM 87181
Today as we spend time with family and friends may we rejoice and be thankful above all for what Christ Jesus has accomplished on our behalf!
We are thankful for you and all that you have made possible through your prayers, encouragement and support of our ministry here in New Mexico.
We are also grateful to have learned today that there is one less late term abortionist killing babies up to the day of birth. Our friends at Operation Rescue reported today that Leroy Carhart has ceased performing these abortions in Maryland. Praise God!
Thank you for believing with us that one day we will be able to report the same news about Albuquerque’s late term abortionists.
May God Bless every effort to exalt His name and to end the scourge of abortion in our nation.
Arson suspected at Project Defending Life and Holy Innocents Chapel in ABQ…prayers please
By Tara Shaver
Albuquerque, NM- Last night, Project Defending Life also known as Women’s Pregnancy Options was fire bombed. Thankfully no-one was hurt in this cowardly attack that took place in the middle of the night.
PRAYERS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS AMAZING PRO-LIFE MINISTRY CENTER LOCATED IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO!
“It is the pregnant women of New Mexico who will suffer the most from this senseless act of violence. Mothers in the midst of crisis pregnancies who are in need of tangible help and support will not have what they need until this center is up and running again. This is truly a despicable terrorist act that must be fully investigated. Those responsible for this hate crime must also be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” stated Bud Shaver.
Project Defending Life is one of the nation’s truly unique ministry centers founded by Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest. Fr. Imbarrato conducts mass on site and eucharistic processions regularly to Planned Parenthood which is located across the street. Project Defending Life has one of the nations only 24 hour adoration chapels located a mere 50 feet from an abortion killing center where the Eucharistic Presence of Christ is hosted for prayers.
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato issued the following statement, “Project Defending Life and the Holy Innocents Chapel has always been about mercy and healing; about shining a light in the darkness. Those who love life will continue to be a light in this world. We must continue to pray and fast that darkness such as this does not prevail. Life always overcomes death because Jesus came into the world to bring light into the darkness and to conquer death through eternal life.”
Please visit Defendinglife.org and prayerfully consider giving a financial donation to help rebuild this vital ministry.
Strategic Protests and other Public Awareness Efforts Directed at NM Attorney General, Hector Balderas Announced…
By Tara Shaver
Albuquerque, NM- One of the nations leading pro-life organizations, Operation Rescue has made an appeal to House Speaker, Paul Ryan urging him to extend the Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives into the next Congressional session. This extension would allow the panel more time to complete their investigation into the illegal trafficking and selling of aborted baby remains by Planned Parenthood and others who have not fully cooperated with their investigation.
On June 23, 2016 the Select Panel on Infant Lives issued a criminal referral to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas on the basis that the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Southwestern Women’s Options have allegedly violated state and federal law regarding the transfer of fetal remains between these two entities in addition to other compelling findings throughout the course of their investigation.
This criminal referral was issued almost one year after Protest ABQ filed an initial formal complaint with Attorney General Balderas’ office with reference to possible violations of state laws and concerns about the late-term abortion clinics consent forms that indicated the use of fetal tissue obtained during abortions that would later be used in medical research.
Attorney General Hector Balderas’ office has stonewalled Protest ABQ’s requests to receive updates regarding this complaint. Now that Balderas’ office has been notified by two separate entities sharing the same concerns, the lack of action on their part is egregious. It is no secret that the University of New Mexico is directly in bed with the largest late term abortion facility in the nation and is procuring aborted baby remains from this facility in order to conduct experimental research on pre-born children.
Unfortunately, Balderas is showing the country what is fundamentally wrong with politics in New Mexico. Could it be that Balderas is using his current position as a stepping stone for higher political aspirations or is he just another pro-abortion Catholic that stands for an extremist ideology that exploits the most vulnerable people among us?
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest of Priests for Life issued the following statement,
“Attorney General Balderas is just one in the group of New Mexico Catholic Democrat elected officials who supports pre-born child killing throughout all nine months of pregnancy with no restrictions. We just removed one of their leaders, Michael Sanchez, from office. It is now time to focus on Balderas especially as he is most likely planning to run for Governor or another higher office.
So we contend as we always have with Catholic pro-abortion Democrats and silent “pro-life in name only” (PLINO) Republicans. Where is the Republican outrage over Balderas ignoring the crimes against babies that are happening here in New Mexico? Leaders Don Tripp, Alonzo Baldonado, and other Republicans express no outrage over Balderas. These two groups of politicians are what makes New Mexico a deadly place for pre-born children.
We will continue to expose this failure of leadership and protest their complicity in pre-born child killing until babies are finally protected in our state.”
For this reason Protest ABQ in conjunction with Operation Rescue, Priests for Life and other pro-life groups are launching a campaign to urge Balderas to prosecute UNM and Southwestern Women’s Options, and to thoroughly investigate every act of alleged criminal conduct perpertrated by these entities.
The abortion cartel in New Mexico has been operating by it’s own standards for far too long, and now the state’s publicly funded university is involved in an unspeakable scandal of using aborted baby remains from one of the most notorious late term abortion facilities in the nation. This requires immediate action and without peaceful and prayerful pressure there may never be any progress in this matter of life and death that weighs heavily on the state.
Protest ABQ will lead strategic protests coupled with other public awareness efforts to ensure that Attorney General Balderas upholds and enforces the laws of New Mexico, for it is his duty to do so.
Albuquerque, NM- Yesterday’s election proved to be a hopeful victory for pre-born children in our nation and in New Mexico with Donald Trump winning the presidential race in our country. Donald Trump has surrounded himself, thus far, with solidly pro-life advisors and has vowed to appoint Supreme Court Justices that will protect the Constitution and overturn Roe v. Wade. Republicans also maintained control of the House and Senate which is important moving forward to ensure that solid uncompromised pro-life legislation is passed. The Senate will be a key focal point as now there is the opportunity to appoint a solid Supreme Court Justice to fill the deep constitutional void left by Antonin Scalia.
We applaud Donald J. Trump for stepping into the arena and taking on the evil and corruption that has dominated American politics for some time now.
Moving forward we must come together as a unified voice in our cities across this nation to make sure that Trump follows through with his campaign promises. We must not allow him to be like so many other leaders who say one thing to get elected and then fail to act to save the lives of pre-born children. We must all work harder to do what we can to stop the killing today by how we live our lives and obey God’s call to be salt and light in this world.
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest has the vision and a strategy to END Pre-born child killing in our country and he had the great honor and opportunity to preach a powerful homily explaining how on Election Day to a global audience on EWTN!
Listen to Fr. Stephen Imbarrato’s crescendo of 10 Homilies at EWTN leading up to…and including Election Day 2016, “How we can end pre-born child killing by the end of the next President’s 1st term!”
Victory in Valencia County: Sen. Michael Sanchez Has Fallen
We congratulate those in New Mexico Senate Dist 29 who successfully opposed pro-abortion Catholic Senator (D) Michael Sanchez who has dominated the New Mexico senate and ensured that pro-life bills never see the light of day. He lost his re-election bid against Greg Baca by a 10% percent margin.
In the weeks leading up to the election hundreds of residents of Valencia County, where Sanchez lives, through prayer and peaceful protest exposed Sanchez and informed their neighbors and it was enough to keep him out. This victory is a testimony to the power we as citizens have when we unify and expose evil outside of the four walls of our churches. The example of those in this district even persuaded a local priest to join those in his congregation on the streets in protest of such a corrupt and immoral politician.
Protest ABQ set the stage for this monumental defeat this summer as we sent postcards to his constituents letting them know that he is putting politics before his faith. We also co-lead two key protests in this district leading up to election day. It is very encouraging to see others take our lead and be successful protesting evil and corruption that has such a strangle hold in New Mexico.
Protest ABQ was also on the frontlines for 10 hours on election day getting out the vote for Diego Espinoza, a solid pro-life candidate that was running against pro-abortion Catholic John Sapien.
Unfortunately, Espinoza did not win his race, losing by only 148 votes.
He issued the following statement on his Facebook page:
“I want to thank you. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your encouragement. Thank you for your prayers. It’s not the outcome we all fought so hard for, but we sure gave them one heck of a race. I hope our leaders will always remember they are there to work for us and make this state better.”
Our hope is that we learn from this election and how important it is for our communities to come together as one voice in support of life, family and faith. All is not lost and we look forward to working even harder as we end this year strong for life here in New Mexico.
Albuquerque, NM – In an effort to create more awareness about late-term abortion in New Mexico ABQ RAW contacted Protest ABQ seeking answers about the hard facts related to abortion, how abortion in America came to pass, and why it’s important to engage our culture from a Christian perspective.
YOUR PRAYERS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED FOR THIS ELECTION AND OUR COUNTRY
If you understand that we are literally in a spiritual battle and that abortion is rooted in demonic strongholds then what is being revealed about Hillary Clinton’s campaign will make perfect sense…
Our ministry in New Mexico is unique and Holy Spirit led. We don’t do what is popular, comfortable or expected…we do what is necessary. In a meeting this month with an evangelical Pastor, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato mentioned that we (us and him) are the odd-couple of the pro-life movement because of our deep love and commitment to each other as Catholic and Evangelical partners, in fact, Fr. Imbarrato has described our relationship akin to a marriage… and we grow closer and stronger with each battle that Christ leads us through.
Currently we are in a season of holding Catholic pro-abortion politicians accountable through protest, postcards and public awareness and it has been vital that Fr. Imbarrato has been leading this charge alongside us with Protest ABQ.
We’ve pondered this month about how different our ministry would look if we lived someplace else…But this is our mission field! God has us here for His purpose and He has blessed us with a great spiritual leader, mentor, and friend in Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest!
The month of October has flown by for us, we have held numerous protests and stood in solidarity with many groups to oppose evil and corruption across NM. One of the groups we joined this month was “New Mexicans for Parental Equality” for the “Stop Child Abuse, Start Listening Rally.” When it comes to protecting children, Protest ABQ is proud to stand in solidarity with other local protesters!
Also this month we sponsored several “Vote Pro-Life” protests across New Mexico. While we have never placed trust exclusively in politicians to solve all of our problems, we feel that it is critical to preserve this nation and our state for future generations by voting pro-life, pro-family and pro-religious liberty. Our country faces a crucial election as does our state and it’s vital that NEW MEXICO VOTE PRO-LIFE!
Thank you for continuing to stand with us in this fiercely spiritual battle and may the light of Christ prevail!
Prayerful, Purposeful and Productive Protests
NEW MEXICO: VOTE PRO-LIFE!
For the 2nd year in a row, this Pastor invited us to join his church in peaceful protest at a busy intersection in Edgewood, NM.
One of two protests of Michael Sanchez who is Senate Majority leader and a corrupt pro-abort Catholic (D).
Protest of Senator John Sapien, another pro-abortion corrupt Catholic funded by Planned Parenthood NM.
Will You Help Social Reformers?
An article published this month by The Stream quoted our good friend Mark Harrington of Created Equal and really resonated with us this month.
We often feel like Paul on his missionary journey when he recalled all of his attacks. Our methods in unison with our boldness in the face of pure evil makes us prone to attacks as well. Our financial support takes unexpected dips, we are ostracized by other pro-lifers, we are the black sheep in churches and we often feel that we don’t fit in-anywhere.
Mark Harrington explains so clearly why our methods are effective though but not without controversy when he stated (in part), “The pictures of abortion are offensive because the act of abortion is offensive. Our message is targeted to those Americans who still have a functioning conscience. Social reformers are always hated because they confront the status quo. When half of the American people support abortion- killing it is naive to think that any opposition to abortion will go unopposed…”
We need your help to keep moving forward here in NM. We need your prayers most of all as this battle is against unrelenting evil. We need your encouragement and your partnership as we do what must be done peacefully and prayerfully in the public square.
If you are unable to join us physically please help us financially and know that your contribution/tithe blesses our efforts and our family.
Recurring and tax deductible donations can be made online HERE
Love in Christ, The Shaver Family
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
By Tara Shaver,
Protest ABQ sponsored TWO concurrent “Vote Pro-Life” Protests in Los Lunas and Edgewood, New Mexico on Friday October 28, 2016! For two weekends in a row Protest ABQ protested Senator Majority leader, Michael Sanchez who is radically pro-abortion and claims to be Catholic. Sanchez is facing challenger Greg Baca in this year’s election and it appears that those in his district are ready for someone else to represent them, someone who shares their pro-life and pro-family values.
Our prayer is that as we proclaim the truth in the public square all across New Mexico, that the holy spirit will bring conviction and conversion to the hearts of many…AND THIS SPARK WILL BECOME A FLAME!
Belen, NM – Statewide early voting kicked off on Saturday, October 22, 2016 across New Mexico, so Protest ABQ went to Belen New Mexico to Protest NM State Senator, Michael Sanchez. Sanchez is yet another pro-abortion Catholic Democrat who is betraying his Christian faith by putting the Democrat party before his faith. Michael Sanchez’s Senate seat is being challenged by Republican, Greg Bacca. In New Mexico we are hoping to #DrainTheSwamp of career politicians like Michael Sanchez (Senator since 1993!) who’s putting the agenda of special interest groups who are funding his campaign, ahead of the best interests of New Mexico’s most vulnerable children, those living in the womb.
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest issued the following statement,
We prayed twice for him that he would put his Catholic faith before political agenda; that he put our unborn babies before Planned Parenthood’s money.
This morning, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains honored New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez for his lifelong commitment to Reproductive Health and Rights…
who once again in his speech reminded us he “doing the right thing” by standing with New Mexico Women and Families on access to reproductive healthcare [KILLING BABIES], No Matter What!
Senator Michael Sanchez is the Senate Majority Leader and he’s the radical pro-abortion extremists greatest champion! He’s been honored by Planned Parenthood (the nations largest abortion provider) and is funded by Albuquerque’s Abortion Cartel. For the money he receives from them, Senator Michael Sanchez ensures that pro-life bills introduced during the legislative session go to “kill committees” which are comprised of more radical pro-abortion members than those who are reasonable and have common sense. He purposely stacks the deck against any legislation that is aimed at protecting innocent human life in the womb, and as a result, circumvents the democratic process of allowing these bills to go to the Senate floor for an up or down vote.
Watch Fr. Imbarrato: The Protest Priest live on location in Belen, New Mexico:
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato is urging everyone who is Christian and Pro-Life in New Mexico to be sure to get out and vote for pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-religious liberty, and pro-life candidates on November 8th. In fact, The Protest Priest already cast his vote!
Watch his special message to voters:
In addition, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest is urging clergy to publicly announce who they are voting for in the general election versus Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton…and WHY!
Albuquerque, NM – In New Mexico we MUST take a stand against the unrestricted tyranny of the radical pro-abortion extremists and utilize the last peaceful option available to us…the ballot box!
Come November 8th, we MUST vote for the candidate that will implement the most effective policies for The Late-Term Abortion Capital …of the World! In New Mexico, it’s an easy decision, the choice is clear…
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato: The Protest Priest and founder of Protest ABQ issued the following statement,
“Considering the confused state of affairs here in the US where there is deep division among Catholics along 2 very disparate cultural and political ideologies coupled with varied and seemingly contradictory pronouncements from our shepherds, I propose that every clergy make public before the election who exactly they are voting for and why! Here is mine…
In order to stop or at least pause the anti-life, anti-marriage, anti-family, anti-religion agenda prevalent in our country today, I am voting (today) for Donald J. Trump as the only viable anti-Hillary vote!
Every Catholic should know what ideology their priests and bishops are supporting. In other words, how many put political agenda before their faith.”
