Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the News this month:

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

The new frontier of the abortion wars (MSNBC)

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

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

Albuquerque becomes latest abortion battlefield (LA Times)

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

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

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

Albuquerque Voters Defeat Anti-Abortion Measure (NY Times)

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

Albuquerque: New path for abortion opponents (CNN)

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

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

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

Abortion ban campaign says website was hacked (KRQE 13)

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

Please Pray :

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

~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.

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

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

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

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

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

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

~For more workers for this ripe harvest.

~For our safety in this spiritual battle.

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

ABQ Pro-Life Initiative Makes Progress in Neighboring County

By Tara Shaver

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final Victory Before Historic Local Election

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

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

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

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

 Sidewalk Testimony: A Life Saved

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vote in favor of love, life and family

Please Pray :

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

~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.

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

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

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

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

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

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

~For more workers for this ripe harvest.

~For our safety in this spiritual battle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABQ Voters For Late Term Abortion Ban

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

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

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

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

Here’s How You Make Your Community Abortion Free

Dear Friends of Life,

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

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

Why Albuquerque and why now?

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

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

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

Late-term Abortion Capital of America!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They know that is where they lose – and lose big!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We immediately jumped into action!

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

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

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

This is where you come in.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now is the right time and

Albuquerque is the right place.

We can win this!

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

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

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

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

For Life,

Troy Newman

President, Operation Rescue

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr. Shaver, 34, defended the activism by outsiders. Patients are drawn to the Albuquerque clinic from other states, he said, and “it was the national implications of late-term abortions in New Mexico that brought us here.”

“A certain amount of social tension is necessary to cause change,” he said, citing the methods of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” (New York Times- “ALBUQUERQUE BECOMES LATEST FOCAL POINT IN ABORTION WARS”)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pastors said they will gather and protest abortions until there is a change. They hope that comes in November when people cast their votes.”

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

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

Ephesians 4:11-13

In the news this month:

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

Abortion Battle Goes Local From Fairfax to Albuquerque” -Bloomberg

Defending Life in the Desert -National Review

Anti-Choicers’ New Mexico Experiment – The American Prospect

More voters support abortion ban -ABQ Journal

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

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

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

Please Pray :

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

~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.

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

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

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

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

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

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

~For more workers for this ripe harvest.

~For our safety in this spiritual battle.

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