When Tara and I moved here to ABQ, three years ago, to focus on educating the christian community about late-term abortions taking place in this city and its national implications; we also had a focus of activating the christian community to take a stand for life with the goal of shutting SWO down peacefully, legally…permanently!
I have literally spent thousands of hours ministering out at SWO and I have witnessed some pretty amazing, moving, miraculous things over the past 3 years. This first week of Project 52, I am excited to announce something that has never happened, something I have never witnessed over the past 3 years and possibly hasn’t happened since SWO opened…THIS WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME, SWO WILL BE COVERED IN PRAYER EVERY HOUR IT IS OPEN! THERE WILL BE SIDEWALK COUNSELORS REACHING OUT TO EVERY ABORTION BOUND WOMAN, WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION!
This continuous prayerful presence out at SWO is not the end of our goal, it is the means of accomplishing our goal…which is to close SWO down for good!
Tara and I are working every proven strategy (we know) to end abortion in our state and we are not “placing all of our eggs” in just “one basket”…we are working every possible peaceful and legal avenue! God is moving in mighty ways and His hand is leading and guiding our efforts!
This week, we do not lose sight of the history being made now and the churches and church leaders stepping up in ABQ! Each step of faith, each effort to serve the women and babies brings this city one step closer to ending abortion today…One woman, one child, one day at a time!
Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life.
The vision of Project 52 is to activate 52 local churches to adopt the Late-Term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) for one week out of the year. Each church will have the freedom to minister as they see fit to each and every abortion minded woman. During their designated week, they will claim the Late-Term abortion clinic for every hour, every day SWO is open (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
“Abortion in our community is a huge mountain that seems impossible to be moved on our own, however if every church in our city would step out with just a mustard seed sized faith, and share the love of Christ by serving the “least of these,” God will move the mountain in our community and we will see an end to abortion…and to God alone be the glory!” –Bud Shaver, Project Defending Life
Great coverage of Project 52 Kick-Off Rally and Press Conference from local ABC station KOAT 7!
Pastors gather to support late-term abortion ban
“Pastors gathered to be the voice for unborn babies. They prayed for the end of abortion.
Pastors and demonstrators hoped their rallies would have an influence on banning late-term abortions locally.
The idea behind Project 52 is to have a presence at the abortion clinics 52 weeks a year, and to put pressure on the residents of Albuquerque to support the ban in the upcoming election.
Pastors said they will gather and protest abortions until there is a change. They hope that comes in November when people cast their votes.”
“We ask for your divine wisdom and guidance in promoting the protection of life for the unborn in our city. We ask you to turn the hearts of the people and their leaders to change the laws of our land to protect unborn life.” Dave Quintana
Project 52 Kick-Off Rally Charge
“As our hearts become broken over what has broken God’s heart we will see His mighty power working on our behalf. So we would like to share this message to our churches and pastors, to every person who has a heart to end the shedding of innocent blood; and ask that the hearts of our pastors to be broken and this brokenness of heart to be passed on to the members of their congregation and we will see the kingdom of darkness start to fall one by one as we persevere.” Pastor Washington
Sign your Church up to “adopt” one week out of the year for focused Pro-life education and work. Call Rev. Spears at 505 710-4542 to select your week. Churches can log in Volunteers and keep posted at http://www.meetup.com/Project-52
Albuquerque, NM- In response to the historic effort led by citizens of ABQ to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, local ABQ Pastors have resolved to be a voice for the most vulnerable women and children of our community. Project Defending Life is partnering with CSA on a new initiative called Project 52. Project 52 will launch on Monday, September 30, 2013 with a press conference and rally at the local late term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options.
Lucrative post viability abortions merely line the pockets of out of state abortionists who are destroying the future of our city, one abortion at a time. “As Pastors and leaders in our community, we are determined to speak up and be readily available for women seeking abortions. We will do our part to make sure that women have all that they need to choose life for their pre-born child,” stated Pastor Clarence Washington.
Every woman deserves to know that with the communities help, choosing life for her baby is possible. However, the majority of women seeking abortions will never step foot into a pregnancy help center on their own. We must meet these vulnerable women where they are, at the abortion clinic, before it’s too late. Project 52 will equip the body of Christ to be present at the late term abortion clinic year round, one week at a time.
As we recruit Pastors and churches for Project 52, we will also encourage them to mobilize their members to vote “For” the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance.” This ban will end abortions halfway through pregnancy in the Late-Term Abortion Capital of the country… Albuquerque, NM.
Please join us for a Project 52 kick-off Rally and Press Conference with local ABQ Pastors on Monday, September 30, 2013 beginning at 11:00am.
Where: Southwestern Women’s Options, 522 Lomas Blvd. NE
Schedule of events:
11:00-12:00- Prayer led by local Pastors
12:00-12:30- Press Conference announcing Project 52 to the Community
12:30-1:30- Praise and Worship
1:30-3:00- Prayer led by local Pastors
For more information and to sign up your church/parish with Project 52 contact:
Who are the members of this coalition seeking to defeat the pain capable ordinance? The RCRC was started by a minister in the 60s whose network of ministers procured pregnant women for Back-alley abortionists like mass murder Kermit Gosnell and Curtis Boyd. Boyd seems to have had a perfect safety record doing back alley abortions but one of his abortion patients has died and several have been injured in “safe legal abortions”. They took the name religious coalition for reproductive choice in 1973 to promote abortion and Roe v Wade, they “counsel” hesitant women in Albuquerque to have abortions.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in 2011-2012 PPFA slaughtered a record 333,964 preborn children, generating an estimated $150 million, and that overall nearly $1.2 billion in revenue was generated. PPFA’s income included a hefty and ever-increasing check from American taxpayers in 2011-2012 it reached a staggering $542.4 million.
ACLUNM a branch of the national American Civil Liberties Union. Working against Albuquerque’s community standards by reintroducing the filth of pornography, not allowing God into our schools, and promoting the continuing torture, mutilation, and lethal injection of innocent babies in the womb, while protecting “Cop killers” from lethal injection and war criminals from torture. Why should the ACLU bully the citizens of Albuquerque with the threat of lawsuits for trying to uphold their standards of decency and fairness? Why can’t these national based groups have pity on the little babies of Albuquerque?
Albuquerque, NM- In an unexpected and heated exchange during the ABQ City Council meeting on September 16th, Councilors inevitably voted to put the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance on a citywide election ballot.
“The will of the people has prevailed tonight and we are excited to move forward to ensure that women and their babies are protected from perilous late term abortions. We are confident moving forward that Albuquerque residents don’t want their city to be known for being the “go to” place for late term abortions. Albuquerque is one step closer to seeing this come to an end,” stated Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Project Defending Life.
On September 9th, the ABQ Journal published a poll of the people to determine whether or not they support the ordinance. 54% of Albuquerque residents support the ban, which aligns pretty closely with national polls regarding late term abortion restrictions.
The City Councilors who voted against the resolution to ensure that the ordinance be placed on an election ballot were, Trudy Jones (R), Isaac Benton (D), Roxanne Myers (R) and Rey Garduno (D).
Please thank those who supported the resolution and are allowing this to move forward according to the process set forth in the Albuquerque city charter.
Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life.
The vision of Project 52 is to activate 52 local churches to adopt the Late-Term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) for one week out of the year. Each church will have the freedom to minister as they see fit to each and every abortion minded woman. During their designated week, they will claim the Late-Term abortion clinic for every hour, every day SWO is open (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
“Abortion in our community is a huge mountain that seems impossible to be moved on our own, however if every church in our city would step out with just a mustard seed sized faith, and share the love of Christ by serving the “least of these,” God will move the mountain in our community and we will see an end to abortion…and to God alone be the glory!” -Bud Shaver, Project Defending Life
What is Project 52?
Project 52 is an interdenominational church initiative engaging congregations for 52 weeks a year in promoting the sanctity of human life from the time of conception. Providing a framework for multi-faceted action to facilitate a culture honoring and understanding the value of Human life in all aspects of our society.
Why is Project 52 needed?
Abortion’s devastating repercussions affects every person and every church in our society. The ripples have decimated our population and our spiritual health for the past 40 years. Now barbaric late term abortions have made Albuquerque the “late term abortion capital of the southwest”. If followers of Jesus Christ do nothing to intervene, then we participate by our very silence.
How does Project 52 work?
Sign your Church up to “adopt” one week out of the year for focused Pro-life education and work. Call Rev. Spears at 505 710-4542 to select your week. Project 52 Kicks off on September 30, 2013. Churches can log in Volunteers and keep posted at http://www.meetup.com/Project-52
There are ways for every person in your congregation to become involved. Here are some of those options:
· Commit as a church to one week of prayer and sidewalk witness in front of the late term abortion clinic (training provided)
· Become educated on the repercussions of abortion (Brochures included)
· Preach a sermon or do classes for your congregation on the biblical view of child sacrifice ( Focus on the Family Brochure included in packet)
· Encourage members to become a regular sidewalk counselor (training provided) or to volunteer at a pregnancy center (training provided/ list of pregnancy centers included)
· Be prepared to refer to a pregnancy center or post abortion recovery program (resource list included)
· Encourage members to send post cards and letters to legislators and city council members. Write Letters to the editor.
· Encourage congregation to vote for the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance and Support and to become educated on pro-life issues.
· Visit the legislature with Traditional Values Action Committee (TVAC), the Pregnancy Center Network or on your own
· Encourage members to seek post abortion healing (post abortion information and referral list included.)
· Schedule a video screening for your community of the movie 180 or Maafa21 or Project 52 video
Please join us as we embark on this journey of saving one women, one child, one week at a time.
“Project 52 is about bringing churches together, not in doctrine, but its about bringing churches together to try and save innocent babies whose voices have not even been heard yet. Jesus calls all of us to bear fruit and one thing that you can do as a church in this city, is you can stand for the lives of unborn children.” Pastor, Mark Mullaney of Jesus First
Watch this promo video to learn more about our latest effort to educate and active the Christian community in Albuquerque, New Mexico to end abortion in our city one woman, one child, one week at a time!
Sign your Church up to “adopt” one week out of the year for focused Pro-life education and work. Call Rev. Spears at 505 710-4542 to select your week. Project 52 Kicks off on September 30, 2013. Churches can log in Volunteers and keep posted at http://www.meetup.com/Project-52
Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque Journal released results of a poll today that shows 54% of Albuquerque voters support the proposed municipal ban on abortions after 20 weeks when babies are known to feel pain. Only 39% opposed the ordinance.
The late-term abortion ban particularly enjoyed favor among Hispanic people who support the ordinance by 57% regardless of party affiliation. Those who identified as Republicans expressed an overwhelming 80% support for the ordinance.
This is the first known effort to ban late-term abortions on the municipal level. Albuquerque holds the dubious distinction of being known as the “Late-term Capital of America” because it is the site of Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S.
“This poll shows what we have been saying all along, that the proposed Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance has wide support in Albuquerque. Putting this ordinance to a vote is the right thing to do,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “Late-term abortion is a barbaric and dangerous practice that has no place in a civilized society. There are better, more compassionate alternatives for women in the late stages of pregnancy than inflicting upon them and their babies the brutality of abortion.”
Organizers used the legislative initiative process to get the ban on a city-wide ballot after it became clear that the predominately pro-abortion Democratic state legislature would not act. Needing only about 12,000 signatures of registered voters to place the ordinance on the ballot, organizers gathered a remarkable 27,000 signatures in 20 days, showing the ordinance has widespread support.
City Council President Dan Lewis, who says he supports the late-term abortion ban, has indicated that he will introduce a resolution at the next city council meeting on Monday to place the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance on a city-wide ballot on November 19th. The election would be conducted via a mail-in ballot. That resolution is expected to be adopted by the city council.
Tara Shaver, of Project Defending Life acts as spokesperson for the ordinance effort. She gathered documentation through open records requests that indicated ambulances were transporting women to hospital emergency rooms from Southwestern Women’s Options at an alarming rate. Over a dozen 911 records showed women were experiencing life-threatening complications to abortions as late as 35 weeks ranging from a ruptured uterus to heavy hemorrhage. Southwestern Women’s Options is a freestanding abortion clinic that is not equipped to handle serious complications that arise from the risky late abortions.
“Both of the clinic’s primary abortionists, Shelley Sella and Susan Robinson, fly in to Albuquerque from California to do the abortions then fly out again. Neither hold local hospital privileges. In fact, the clinic is owned by Texas abortionist Curtis Boyd. They are the ones coming in to Albuquerque to cause issues,” said Newman. “The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance is truly a grass-roots effort put forward by people who live in Albuquerque, like the Shavers. It is supported by pro-life groups around the country because women from every state are currently traveling to Albuquerque to have these dangerous abortions at the latest stages of pregnancy. The poll confirms that it is the out-of state abortionists who are out-of-step with the people of Albuquerque.”
While some erroneously say the ordinance is illegal since it runs contrary to Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that decriminalized abortion, the fact is that Supreme Court precedent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey narrowed the Roe ruling, allowing states to regulate and even ban late-term abortions. Bans similar to Albuquerque’s proposed ordinance have been passed in 11 states and introduced at the Federal level.
“This ordinance has a high probability of success, given the popular support in the community, and we are confident it will pass constitutional muster if it is ever challenged,” said Newman.
This month we were blessed to be a part of the first ever New Mexico Survivors Pro-Life Training camp in Albuquerque. It was a GREAT SUCCESS! We had 32 “campers” from all across the country…New York, Alabama, Texas, Virginia, and California.
The first part of our 9 day Training Camp, was a three day Pro-Life Training conference. We had some of the nations BEST Pro-Life Activists from Operation Rescue, At the Well Ministries, Created Equal, Students For Life of America, and Arizona Right to Life! This event shook up the city of Albuquerque, in a good way– it was also very timely as it came on the heels of the recent launch of the effort to ban late term abortions in the city. God is doing great things here, we thank everyone who made the event possible (primarily Project Defending Life) and all of our generous donors. Please pray that the momentum will continue as we seek first God’s kingdom and promote the sanctity of human life in this state.
“My God, glorious Father, transform this ground into fertile earth, so your seeds may not fall in vain. Let the longing grow for you the creator that they so often do not want to see.” – Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Monday, August 5-Saturday August 10 we held community wide town hall meetings. On the first two nights we held question/answer panels regarding the local late term abortion ban effort. On other nights we had spectacular speakers, all in an effort to educate the community. There was a positive response from locals who are eagerly ready to help see Albuquerque end late term abortions.
This campaign was a success – because awareness changes things. This campaign makes ABQ not just a proving ground for pro-life activists, but proof that abortion is very much within our reach. Ending abortion starts here, now, with us, with you: grassroots, local, as Jeff White said on Friday: “Speaking truth and then speaking healing.”
Bud and Tara with Dana Cody, Life Legal Defense Foundation President and Executive Director
In the final town hall meeting at Sacred Heart Parish in ABQ, LLDF Executive Director, Dana Cody, summed it up another way: “The pro-aborts overturned laws in all 50 states with Roe v. Wade. Why should we do any less than the pro-aborts? Why not?”
DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU CARE? PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN & PROTEST AUGUST5-10,2013
The Survivors wrapped up the week of camp with 5 intense days of activism. We passed out about 10,000 pieces of information in local neighborhoods, showed on the busiest streets in the city, visited the Holocaust and Intolerance Museum (to see if they would acknowledge the abortion holocaust and tolerate an abortion exhibit in the museum-they were intolerant!), alerted abortionist Larry Leeman’s neighbors to the fact that he kills children and much more. We must proclaim the truth in the public square and that is exactly what we did.
UNM
ABQ Holocaust and Intolerance Museum
Plaza Inn
ABQ Do You Know? Do You Care? Public Awareness Campaign and Protest
Residential Picket at UNM Abortionist Larry Leeman’s house
“ABQ Do You Know? Do You Care?”
Everyday in America women choose abortion and many look the other way and think nothing of it. In reality though, each abortion ends a human life, a life created in the image of God. We are enduring and many are fighting against America’s Holocaust, abortion. This terminology in no way diminishes any other holocaust or genocide, so let’s be honest with ourselves, over 56,000,000,000 preborn humans have been killed in their mother’s wombs since 1973. This is the holocaust we work to end everyday, will you join us?
ABQ Late Term Abortion Ban Moves Forward
On Wednesday, August 28th the Albuquerque City Clerk confirmed that the required 12,091 signatures had been certified to ensure that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection ordinance will enter into the next phase of the City Charter’s process. This is true progress for New Mexico, in a state where abortions are being performed through all nine months of pregnancy on viable babies who would survive outside the womb if born. This ordinance is the least we can do to give a measure of protection to both women and children.
The ordinance has now been given to the Albuquerque City Councilors. They have 14 days to act or ignore this measure. This is the process set forth in the Albuquerque city charter, the councilors have the legal right to adopt this ordinance outright. However, if they ignore it then according to the process the measure will go to the people for a ballot vote.
We are so thankful that this effort has brought awareness to our community and we look forward to this ordinance saving precious lives. This has been a tremendous effort taken on by the community that we know will benefit us all. To God be the ultimate glory for this success!
Final numbers from the “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” from the ABQ City Clerks Office:
12,295 Accepted 5,866 Rejected 48 Pending
For a total of 18,209 signatures processed…out of 26,900, leaving 8,691 over and beyond our goal!
A Special Thank You to our Prayer Partners and Supporters:
July 1, 2013 marked 3 years of ministry for us here in ABQ. These 3 years have been such a blessing to us as we have seen lives saved outside of local abortion clinics and hearts changed as we bring the Gospel to the streets of our city. Our heart’s desire is to see New Mexico be a state that affirms all human life instead of destroying it daily through abortion and to also to see people turn to Christ for salvation. We reach our goals daily, one person at a time, because you support us through prayer which sustains us and you bless us with the ability to do this work full time which empowers us to do this work boldly and whole heartedly.
Thank you, you make this life saving ministry possible! We pray for you and thank God for you. May you be richly blessed! -Bud and Tara
~Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to be advocates for the women and children of New Mexico.
~For an end to abortion in New Mexico.
~For the conversion of every abortion doctor and clinic worker.
~For softened hearts of the women we speak to each day at abortion clinics.
~For the moms who have already chosen life and for the means to continue to serve them.
~For a continued grace filled and Christ centered ministry focus.
~For more opportunities to share the truth about abortion and it’s effects with the Christian community.
~For the Christian community to rise up out of apathy and a spiritual awakening.
~For more workers for this ripe harvest.
~For our safety in this spiritual battle.
“Seek the well being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well being you shall find your own.“ Jeremiah 29:7
Throughout the next few months we will be working to see that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance passes at the polls. While it is still unclear which ballot the ordinance will land on, one thing is certain: If you’re not registered to vote and you live in ABQ, you won’t be able to make sure that late term abortions end in ABQ by casting a YES vote.
We want to help you get registered but we also need your help to make sure others are registered as well. Registrars will be needed in many of the churches, but will also be beneficial in other places as well (events, stores, etc.) Anyone in the state can become a registrar and it’s quite simple. You must attend a one hour class taught by the ABQ County Clerk’s office. The class is once a month and the next one is Tuesday, September 10th, at One Civic Plaza (County Clerk’s Office, 6th floor) 3:00-4:00pm. This is free, you only need an ID.
We need to let them know how many plan to attend so please respond to this email by Friday if possible. In the meantime, check with your church/Parish to find out when you can get setup to register people to vote before and after church services. Voters must be registered 28 days before they can participate in an election so time is of the essence.
Thank you to everyone has made this effort possible. We look forward to working with all of you to make sure that late term abortions end in ABQ.
Albuquerque, NM- On Wednesday, August 28th the Albuquerque City Clerk confirmed that the required 12,091 signatures had been certified to ensure that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection ordinance will enter into the next phase of the City Charter’s process. “This is true progress for New Mexico, in a state where abortions are being performed through all nine months of pregnancy on viable babies who would survive outside the womb if born. This ordinance is the least we can do to give a measure of protection to both women and children,” stated Tara Shaver.
The ordinance has now been given to the Albuquerque City Councilors. They have 14 days to act or ignore this measure. This is the process set forth in the Albuquerque city charter, the councilors have the legal right to adopt this ordinance outright. However, if they ignore it then according to the process the measure will go to the people for a ballot vote.
The people of Albuquerque have let their voices be heard in support of this bill, 26,900 signatures were submitted to the city clerk in just 20 days.
“It is clear that the people in this city want late term abortions to end, in fact 2/3 of Americans support the ’20 week fetal pain ban’ and understandably so, late term abortions are indefensible. The people who made this effort possible do not want to see this measure ignored, late term abortion has been ignored long enough in Albuquerque,” stated Tara Shaver.
Project Defending Life is calling on City Council President Dan Lewis, who is also a local Pastor, to present this to the city council for a vote to adopt this ordinance within the next 14 days. City officials have the responsibility to act and to ensure the safety of all of those residing within their jurisdiction. The American people are looking for leaders that will represent them boldly and uphold their wishes. We ask nothing less than what the city councilors were elected for and that is to represent the people of Albuquerque.
Our city councilors have a chance to make history in our city, please urge them to do so.
To find out who your city councilor is click here. You may contact them all though.
As things heat up in the city of Albuquerque, we must daily ask ourselves; What am I willing to do to protect those dying in the wombs of their mothers? Am I merely willing to talk about how horrible it is? Or am I willing to “expose the deeds of darkness” (Eph. 5:11) and do what it takes to help women choose life for themselves and their children.
Our recent Survivors Camp and Town Hall Meetings have clearly woken up Albuquerque and exposed its atrocities. The city is at a turning point and the entire nation is watching and waiting for the final outcome. Will there be some form of justice for the innocent in Albuquerque or not?
It’s no surprise that as we move forward we are met with resistance by those who oppose life. One by one across this nation our constitutional freedoms are being being stripped away and Albuquerque is no different.
We must never shirk back in the face of opposition. We must stand together and be united. On Tuesday, August 27th the Board of County Commissioners will attempt to restrict the First Amendment of the Constitution, the freedom of speech and the right to peacefully assemble, to the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County including Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.
Abortionist Larry Leeman lives in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and for 3 years has lurked behind the scenes even though he performs abortions through 22 weeks at the University of New Mexico Center for Reproductive Health (UNMCRH). He also teaches UNM Residents to perform abortions. He purposefully takes innocent lives on the days he is not delivering babies at UNM Hospital! His community needs to know what he is doing to children with our tax dollars.
Project Defending Life in conjunction with its legal counsel issues the following statement on a potential picketing ban to be adopted by Bernalillo County: “The contemplated action of the County Board of Commissioners to adopt a picketing ban presents a grave concern for the civil liberties of County residents. The Supreme Court of the United States has a long-standing tradition of protecting debate in public streets and sidewalks. A ban of this nature will bar the free-flow of expressive and political ideas that is a hallmark of our Nation’s devotion to democracy.”
Please contact (call and email) the two sponsoring Bernalillo County Commissioners TODAY and ask them not to cower to the pro-abortion lobby that wants to provide anonymity to those brutally murdering children. Remind them that by passing this ordinance they will be infringing upon our rights as American citizens by restricting residential picketing in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County including Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.
Also, attend their meeting, sign up for public comment and be a voice for those of us who still believe in the constitutionality of the First Amendment.
Board of County Commissioners Administrative Meeting
When: Tuesday, August 27
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: One Civic Plaza NW
For additional information or questions contact Tara Shaver: tara@defendinglife.org
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to collect signatures for the 20 week abortion ban here in Albuquerque. The fact that 27,000 signatures were collected in just three weeks is a powerful testimony to what can be accomplished when we get activated to stand for life.
Currently, we await the signatures to be validated by City Clerk’s office. According to recent news it appears that they have picked up the pace in completing this process, although we are still not sure which ballot this ordinance will appear on. Either way, we believe that we will get the ordinance passed because late term abortions are indefensible and most Americans support banning abortions after 20 weeks.
In the meantime, we must be pro-active and contact our city councilors. There has been much speculation about how much a special election will cost the city if it comes to that with this ordinance. Let’s not forget that that we as New Mexicans already fund abortions 100% through New Mexico Medicaid. Banning lucrative late term abortions will save our state money, protect our women and children.
Please, respectfully, contact our city councilors (call and email). They must hear from us this week before their next meeting on August 19th.
Request that they:
1. Adopt the Pain Capable Unborn Child Ordinance due to the overwhelming amount of signatures that were collected (in 3 weeks). The citizens of Albuquerque clearly want this ordinance enacted. Adopting the ordinance allows us to bypass an election altogether and saves the city money it would spend on a special election.
2. (IMPORTANT) Pass a resolution to allow the sponsors of the measure to defend it against any challenges. This means that once the ordinance is voted upon and passes, if it is challenged by those who are pro-abortion we would be able to defend it in court and again save the city money. We would utilize our own attorneys and the burden will not be on the city to do this.
To find out who your city councilor is click here. You may contact them all though.
Also, plan to attend the next City Council meeting on August 19th (5:00pm) to express your approval of the ordinance as well as the points above. Sign up for public comment at the back beforehand.
Location: Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Center
One Civic Plaza
Albuquerque, NM
87102
Please do this right away and thank you! This is our chance to make history in Albuquerque, the nation is watching and waiting to see the outcome. Join us in prayer that the citizens of ABQ will take a vital stand to protect women and children from abortion.
Albuquerque, NM- Project Defending Life will be wrapping up this week’s town hall meetings and “Do you know? Do you care?” campaign with talks from local and national attorneys who will answer questions about the constitutionality of the Pain Capable Child Protection Ordinance, that if passed by voters will become law in the city of Albuquerque.
Dana Cody, Executive Director of Life Legal Defense Foundation has been championing the rights of women and the unborn for over twenty years. She will help put into perspective how this ordinance has been enacted in various other states and what that means for us in Albuquerque.
In response to questions about the constitutionality of the pain-capable ordinance legal staff that has drafted this legislation issued the following statement:
“The proposed pain-capable ordinance is grounded in Supreme Court precedent and within the City of Albuquerque’s duty to protect its residents and visitors. The Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that, as a pregnancy progresses, governments have a compelling interest in protecting the unborn child. Due to the absence of any existing protections for unborn human beings facing the pain inflicted by late-term abortion, the proposed measure is a necessary and reasonable way to protect these babies within the bounds of Supreme Court jurisprudence.”
The citizens of Albuquerque gathered 27,000 signatures in support of getting the pain capable unborn child protection ordinance on a local election ballot. New Mexico has no restrictions on abortion and Albuquerque is home to one of the largest late term abortion facilities, Southwestern Women’s Options.
Please Join us Friday, August 9 at 7:00pm Sacred Heart Parish, 309 Stover SW.
For more information contact Tara Shaver: tara@defendinglife.org
Albuquerque, NM- Project Defending Life and Survivors will begin a public awareness campaign asking the citizens of Albuquerque:”Do you know, Do you care” that abortion is legal through all 9 months of pregnancy in Albuquerque?
“Do you know, Do you care” that Albuquerque is known as the late term abortion capital of the country?
“Do you know, Do you care” that abortions at 18 weeks and beyond involve greater risk to the mother than carrying the pregnancy to term?
“Do you know, Do you care” that the unborn baby at 8 weeks responds to touch and as early as 20 weeks (5 months) gestation experiences pain?
In July, 27,000 Albuquerque residents proclaimed with their signature that they no longer want Albuquerque to be known as the late term abortion capital in the country. In just 3 weeks the residents of Albuquerque have ensured that the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance will be on an Albuquerque city election ballot.
“This is the beginning of many efforts to make sure that the community votes “YES” on this ordinance when the time comes.The true beneficiaries of this effort to end barbaric late term abortion in Albuquerque are the moms and babies that will be protected as a result. Late term abortions are not in line with the true values of New Mexicans,” stated Tara Shaver.
Monday, August 5 young people will begin educating the community and encouraging voters to support the ordinance that will end late term abortion in Albuquerque.
We would also like to invite concerned citizens to join us for nightly Town Hall Meetings starting August 5-10th at St. Cecilia Hall @ St. Pius School, 4000 St. Josephs Dr. (directly north of the Catholic Center)7:00pm.
Contact Tara Shaver for more information: 505-319-7825
The month of July was a roller coaster in so many ways. Ultimately, however, the Christian community in ABQ let their voices be heard by signing the Pain Capable Unborn Protection petition that is sure to eliminate dangerous and risky late term abortions in this city! Our signature goal for this effort was 15,000, how good is God, He provided nearly 27,000! We rejoice in this victory and are eager to see how this effort is going to transform this city for LIFE. We thank everyone who came together to make this happen, you know who you are.
Pro-Life Groups Submit Double the Signatures Needed to Ensure a Vote on Historic City-wide Late-term Abortion Ban
Albuquerque, NM – In a titanic effort that garnered twice the necessary signatures in half the required time, pro-life groups spearheaded by Project Defending Life have submitted 27,000 signatures to the Albuquerque City Clerk on a city-wide legislative petition to ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation. That number of signatures virtually ensures the proposed late-term abortion ban will be on the ballot in an upcoming election, possibly as soon as October 8.
“The concerned citizens of Albuquerque were able to obtain 27,000 signatures, well over double the necessary number, in less than 30 days! Due to the overwhelming support of Albuquerque registered voters, we are calling on the ABQ City Council to listen to the resounding voice of the people and adopt this ordinance as written and ensure that this Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection ordinance will make it onto the October 8 ballot,” said Bud Shaver spokesman for Project Defending Life.
Albuquerque is the home of Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S. Project Defending Life’s Tara Shaver has obtained nearly a dozen 911 calls that document all-too-frequent abortion-related medical emergencies at that clinic.
The Shavers have also obtained a consent form given to late-term abortion customers by Southwestern Women’s Options that confirms that abortions after 18 weeks gestation carry higher risks to the women than birthing a full-term living child.
People ask us all the time if our presence out on a sidewalk day after day through the dessert heat, wind, rain and snow is effective, well…this month out at late-term abortion clinic SWO, a Native American couple came up and showed us their beautiful newborn baby with a full head of hair. They wanted us to know that they had come for an abortion a while back but because of our presence they decided not to go through with the abortion! They never talked to anyone…our presence alone made all the difference between choosing Life over Death!
This month we also held a Pastors Summit to launch our latest effort in conjunction with our petition initiative to educate Church leaders Project 52!
We have gathered the toughest, most experienced team of pro-life clinic-exposing, clinic-closing leaders our nation has ever seen. Together, this broad-based coalition of pro-life groups is going to sound an urgent alarm in Albuquerque!
We are calling on the media, Christian and secular, to expose this evil. We are calling nightly town meetings to sound the alarm to reveal the awful truth about what is happening in Albuquerque.
Speakers include: Troy Newman: Operation Rescue, Cheryl Sullenger: Operation Rescue, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Project Defending Life, Jeff White: Survivors, Kristina Garza: Survivors, Brendon O’ Morchoe: Students For Life of America, Jason Walsh: Executive Director of Arizona Right To Life…with more national speakers yet to be confirmed!
Exposing Late-Term abortion in ABQ, and activating the body of Christ to Redeem this City in His name!
~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
Operation Rescue will join Project Defending Life and the Survivors for an event August 2-10th to train activists and bolster community support for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks
Albuquerque, NM – In a titanic effort that garnered twice the necessary signatures in half the required time, pro-life groups spearheaded by Project Defending Life have submitted 27,000 signatures to the Albuquerque City Clerk on a city-wide legislative petition to ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation. That number of signatures virtually ensures the proposed late-term abortion ban will be on the ballot in an upcoming election, possibly as soon as October 8.
“The concerned citizens of Albuquerque were able to obtain 27,000 signatures, well over double the necessary number, in less than 30 days! Due to the overwhelming support of Albuquerque registered voters, we are calling on the ABQ City Council to listen to the resounding voice of the people and adopt this ordinance as written and ensure that this Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection ordinance will make it onto the October 8 ballot,” said Bud Shaver spokesman for Project Defending Life.
Albuquerque is the home of Southwestern Women’s Options, the largest late-term abortion clinic in the U.S. Project Defending Life’s Tara Shaver has obtained nearly a dozen 911 calls that document all-too-frequent abortion-related medical emergencies at that clinic.
The Shavers have also obtained a consent form given to late-term abortion customers by Southwestern Women’s Options that confirms that abortions after 18 weeks gestation carry higher risks to the women than birthing a full-term living child.
“No guarantee or assurance has been made to me as to the results that may be obtained,” states the abortion consent form. “The risk of terminating a pregnancy gradually increases throughout the course of the pregnancy. These comparative risks become approximately equal at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy and increase so that pregnancy termination at 18 weeks and above involves a greater risk than carrying the pregnancy to term.” (Emphasis added.)
“The statements made by this notorious late-term abortion clinic about the risks of abortion past 18 weeks bolster the need to protect women and their babies from the admitted dangers of this grisly and barbaric abortion procedure. The city ordinance is a reasonable way to protect the public,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue, which has worked side by side with Project Defending Life to expose and end late-term abortions in New Mexico.
The city-wide effort is unique and has garnered national attention since revelations of gruesome abortion abuses surfaced at the trial of convicted murderer Kermit Gosnell and against Houston abortionist Douglas Karpen. Women come from all over the U.S. to Albuquerque for abortions in the latest days of pregnancy – abortions that are illegal in most states.
Two of the late-term abortionists employed by Southwestern Women’s Options were former employees of late-term abortionist George Tiller in Kansas, and were featured in the Sundance Film Festival movie “After Tiller.”
Once the signatures are certified by the City Clerk’s office, the City Council will have three options for handling the petition. It can adopt the measure, in which case no vote would be needed and the new proposed ordinance would become law. That option appears to be the least likely scenario. The City Council could attempt to amend the language, in which case both the petition language and the amended version would go up for a popular vote. However, the most likely course of action will be for the City Council to simply ignore the petition, which would require the measure to be placed on a ballot for a city-wide vote.
If the city officials drag out the process and miss placing the initiative on the October 8, ballot, the city would be forced to hold a special election at the cost to the city of around $500,000. Pro-life groups worked hard to garner enough signatures in half the allotted time in order to avoid the extra expense of a special election.
Already the local media is putting forth the fallacious argument that if the late-term abortion ban is approved by Albuquerque voters, it would be nullified as being in conflict with state law. However, that is simply not true. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right of states to make laws restricting abortions in the later stages of pregnancy. Eight states have passed similar laws, most recently in Texas where pro-abortion forces attempted to disrupt the state legislature to hinder passage.
However, an ABC/Washington Post poll released just yesterday confirmed that 56% of Americans support restrictions on abortions after 20 weeks gestation.
Operation Rescue will join Project Defending Life and the Survivors for a pro-life event in Albuquerque, which will be held August 2-10. They will train activists and bolster support for banning late-term abortions there. Both Newman and Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger will be featured speakers and presenters.
For more information about the upcoming pro-life event in Albuquerque, please visit ProLifeWitness.org.
Operation Rescue encourages the public to contact the nine members of the Albuquerque City Council and urge its members to ensure that the measure gets on the ballot without amendments for the October 8 city-wide election.
Detailed contact information can be found at this link. E-mail addresses for all nine City Council members follow:
Here is our latest interview, Tara and I tag teamed this one on “Dewey and Friends.” We talk about our ministry in Albuquerque and our latest effort here, an initiative to end Late-Term abortion in the late-term abortion capital of the country!
“This is the most vital piece of legislation in the history of New Mexico, because it is to stop murder!” ~Dewey Moede
RAW Footage of Tara Shaver’s interview with Local ABC News Channel 7 announcing a historic effort here in the Late-Term abortion Capital of the Nation for “the peoples” voice to be heard and allow the residents of Albuquerque the opportunity to rise up and ban Late-Term abortions in our city! This is a petition for direct legislation, ironically the “Democratically” controlled legislature up in Santa Fe is preventing the will of the people to be accomplished in this state…so “We the People” are taking direct steps to side-step Santa Fe and allow the democratic process to truly take place here in ABQ!
Below is another of the many interviews Tara Shaver did with KAZQ32 “Spectrum Daily” on Wednesday July 3rd announcing our direct legislation initiative to end Late-Term abortion in Albuquerque. We need your help getting the word out about this and your help getting the 15,000 signatures by the end of JULY to get this on the ballot this October! If you would like to help us, contact Tara for more information: 505-319-7825 or shavermissions@gmail.com
The following report is by Cheryl Sullenger and originally appeared at www.operationrescue.org
Albuquerque Initiative to Protect Pain Capable Unborn Children is First in Nation at City Level
Albuquerque, New Mexico – A first-in-the-nation effort has been launched by an Albuquerque pro-life group that could ban late-term abortions within the city limits of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the largest late-term abortion clinic in the nation operates.
“On June 28th, 2013, concerned citizens of Albuquerque, New Mexico, filed a petition for direct legislation by voter initiative with the Albuquerque City Clerk. The ‘Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance’ if put into law in the city of Albuquerque will undoubtedly protect women and children from abortion,” stated Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life, who announced the initiative at a press conference today.
Frustrated by the state’s legislature, which is controlled by pro-abortion Democrats, the group launched the city-wide legislative petition to enact a city ordinance that would protect pain capable unborn children after 20 weeks gestation. The city ordinance would be similar in language to the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which recently cleared the House of Representatives, and a bill known as HB2 in Texas that is the subject of a second special legislative session that has attracted thousands on both sides of the issue to the Texas Capitol.
Eight states have passed late-term abortion bans based on the ability of the pre-born baby to feel pain. If the legislative petition is successful, Albuquerque could become the first city to independently enact a ban on the local level.
Interest in protecting pre-born babies that can feel pain has increased dramatically after horrific details of babies being born alive then brutally murdered surfaced during the Kermit Gosnell murder trial, followed by similar accusations supported by photographic evidence made by three former employees of Houston abortionist Douglas Karpen.
Recent polls show that 64% of Americans oppose abortions in the second trimester while over 80% oppose third trimester abortions such as the kind done in Albuquerque at a clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options, owned by Texas abortionist Curtis Boyd.
At Southwestern Women’s Options, three abortionists Shelley Sella, Susan Robinson, and Carmen Landau offer a method of late-term abortion invested by George Tiller of Kansas. The process begins with an injection through the abdomen and into the baby that is mean to cause “fetal demise,” however, the drug used has a high failure rate, which either necessitates a second attempt or results in babies being born alive. Women are then given an unpredictable drug called Cytotec to induce contractions and are sent to a hotel where abortionists admit women sometimes give birth into the toilets in their hotel room.
“The citizens of Albuquerque are deeply concerned about the safety of women seeking abortions beyond 20 weeks, which according to late term abortionist Curtis Boyd’s, owner of Southwestern Women’s Options, informed consent paperwork are more dangerous than carrying the pregnancy to term,” said Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life.
No guarantee or assurance has been made to me as to the results that may be obtained [as a result of the abortion]. The risk of terminating a pregnancy gradually increases throughout the course of the pregnancy. These comparative risks become approximately equal at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy and increases so that pregnancy termination at 18 weeks and above involves a greater risk than carrying the pregnancy to term.
Project Defending Life and Operation Rescue worked together to expose over a dozen documented medical emergencies at Albuquerque abortion clinics, the majority of which occurred at Southwestern Women’s Options. One incident documented a woman who suffered a ruptured uterus during a 35 week abortion and nearly died. Shelley Sella was charged with gross negligence for that abortion by the New Mexico Medical Board, which inexplicably cleared her of wrongdoing after an expensive prosecution.
The proposed new ordinance acknowledges the fact that as early as 8 weeks gestation a developing baby can respond to touch. This fact was confirmed by testimony given in during a House Judiciary Committee meeting by Dr. Maureen Condic, who is Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine.
Part of the findings and authorities contained in the ordinance language states, “The position, asserted by some commentators, that the unborn child remains in a coma-like sleep state that precludes the unborn child experiencing pain is inconsistent with the documented reaction of unborn children to painful stimuli and with the experience of fetal surgeons who had found it necessary to sedate the unborn child with anesthesia to prevent the unborn child from engaging in vigorous movement in reaction to invasive surgery.”
“We fully support this citizen’s petition effort in Albuquerque and congratulate Project Defending Life for side-stepping the obstructionists in the state legislature who are busy protecting abortionists when they should be protecting viable babies during the most vulnerable times in their lives,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue.
Please join us on Friday, July 5, 5:30pm at PDL (625 San Mateo Blvd NE) to get pertinent information about helping us get the required signatures (15,000 in just THREE weeks!) We need EVERYONE’S help.
Petition Signing locations:
Faithworks
3301 Menaul NE Albuquerque, NM 87107
The Yard
2430 Juan Tabo NE Albuquerque, NM 87112
Orphans Exchange
1815 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87112
For more information and to help get signatures contact, Tara at 505-319-7825 or email: tara@defendinglife.org
This is the first step to ending all abortions in New Mexico.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
On June 28th, 2013 concerned citizens of Albuquerque, New Mexico filed a petition for direct legislation by voter initiative with the Albuquerque City Clerk. The “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” if put into law in the city of Albuquerque will undoubtedly protect women and children from abortion.
In the state of New Mexico late term abortions are legal up to the ninth month of pregnancy. These abortions are, in fact, being performed in the city of Albuquerque each week on women who come from all across the nation to obtain them.
The citizens of Albuquerque are deeply concerned about the safety of women seeking abortions beyond 20 weeks, which according to late term abortionist Curtis Boyd’s, owner of Southwestern Women’s Options, informed consent paperwork are more dangerous than carrying the pregnancy to term.
All across the nation and most recently in Texas the issue of fetal pain has come to the surface for all to examine. Neurologist Paul Ranalli states that, “At 20 weeks, the fetal brain has the full complement of brain cells present in adulthood, ready and waiting to receive pain signals from the body, and their electrical activity can be recorded by standard electroencephalography (EEG).”
The citizens of Albuquerque want these pain capable unborn children to be protected as a result of this initiative and will be seeking to obtain the required signatures over the next month to ensure that this ordinance is put on the Albuquerque October election ballot.
On June 28th, 2013 concerned citizens of Albuquerque, New Mexico filed a petition for direct legislation by voter initiative with the Albuquerque City Clerk. The “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance” if put into law in the city of Albuquerque will undoubtedly protect women and children from abortion.
In the state of New Mexico late term abortions are legal up to the ninth month of pregnancy. These abortions are, in fact, being performed in the city of Albuquerque each week on women who come from all across the nation to obtain them.
The citizens of Albuquerque are deeply concerned about the safety of women seeking abortions beyond 20 weeks, which according to late term abortionist Curtis Boyd’s, owner of Southwestern Women’s Options, informed consent paperwork are more dangerous than carrying the pregnancy to term.
All across the nation and most recently in Texas the issue of fetal pain has come to the surface for all to examine. Neurologist Paul Ranalli states that, “At 20 weeks, the fetal brain has the full complement of brain cells present in adulthood, ready and waiting to receive pain signals from the body, and their electrical activity can be recorded by standard electroencephalography (EEG).”
The citizens of Albuquerque want these pain capable unborn children to be protected as a result of this initiative and will be seeking to obtain the required signatures over the next month to ensure that this ordinance is put on the Albuquerque October election ballot.
This article was on www.breitbart.com based on our most recent investigation.
The Planned Parenthood employee tells the young woman that she and the doctor will discuss these issues but that the clinic “probably won’t” report her circumstances, even though her pregnancy by an adult qualifies as statutory rape.
When the caller asks if her age (14) is a problem, the Planned Parenthood employee answers, “In New Mexico, there’s no limit on when you can have sexual reproduction rights.” The caller then tells the employee the age of her boyfriend (21) and states that he is “worried” that he could be reported. Click here to read the the rest of this article.
Check out Bud’s latest TV interview with the Jesus First Team dealing with Late-Term Abortion in Albuquerque New Mexico!
Sidewalk Testimony
This month, out at late-term abortion clinic SWO, a car sped into the parking lot a screeched to a stop. A woman jumped out and ran in, I asked her if she needed any help and she stated, “I just heard that my daughter is here, so I’m here to get her out of there!” And…she did go in and get her daughter out of the abortion clinic! As they were leaving, I was able to give them all of the help available at PDL and the other life affirming help in the community! Wow! We need more mothers/grandmothers like this courageous woman!
Last month we had a great response to our monthly sidewalk training class and have had many new people stepping out in faith to share the love of Christ out on a sidewalk in front of the nations most notorious Late-Term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO). They are also brining their friends! This month one of the new people came out to SWO and she brought a cooler and was simply handing out cold water bottles to people coming and going from the clinic, clinic workers and to passerby’ers. Most of them refused the water and looked at her like she was some crazy person some radical protestor!
She shared with me that her inspiration for simply handing out water was inspired by the encounter with Jesus by the Samaritan woman. Jesus offered her “living water”, and she realized that she desperately needed it. Unfortunately most of the people refused the water that was handed out at SWO, but right before we left for the day, a family pulled into the parking lot from Texas. They were offered a cold water bottle and they accepted! As they came over, they were African American and I offered them information revealing the Eugenic racist origins of abortion in America and they gratefully accepted. A few minutes later, the woman came out and it was obvious that she had already had her abortion and there was nothing we could do for the child.
Most people think the only purpose for reaching out on a sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic is solely for saving babies, however, we are offering living water in the name of Jesus to everyone willing to receive it. I walked away that day touched…and blessed by a cold bottle of “living” water.
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In June we also hosted Rally For LIFE! Around 50 people came out to show their support for LIFE and light up the darkness! We were a shining light to our community and shared the love and support the pro-life community has for the women and families coming from all across our state and all across the country for Late-Term abortions.
Fr Imbarrato and Pastor Lamb closed out the event in prayer and then we released all the balloons as a witness of our collective prayers of faith.
SURVIVORS & PROJECT DEFENDING LIFE are teaming up to bring YOU the FIRST-EVER NEW MEXICO ProLife Training Camp in Albuquerque!
The Pro-Life training camp will be held from Aug 2-10. High School and College age young people can still register!!!
We’re also offering a community wide FREE Pro-Life Training Conference. This will be August 2nd-4th.and will include exclusive workshops and training sessions by experienced Pro-life leaders from across the nation that will help build your confidence in standing for life.
Topics Include: Why Pro-Life?, Defending the pro-life position, Sidewalk Counseling, Legal Rights, and much more. All are welcome. For more information contact: Tara Shaver 505-319-7825 or shavermissions@gmail.com
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
SURVIVORS & PROJECT DEFENDING LIFE teamed up to bring YOU the FIRST-EVER NEW MEXICO ProLife Training Conference in Albuquerque!
This was a FREE Conference
The ProLife Training Conference included, exclusive workshops and training sessions by experienced Pro-life leaders from across the nation for the purpose of “Building your confidence in standing for life.”
Topics Included: Why Pro-Life?, Defending the pro-life position, Sidewalk Counseling, Legal Rights, and much more.
Speakers included: Troy Newman: Operation Rescue, Cheryl Sullenger: Operation Rescue, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Project Defending Life, Jeff White: Survivors, Kristina Garza: Survivors, Brendon O’ Morchoe: Students For Life of America, Jason Walsh: Executive Director of Arizona Right To Life…and more!
Watch ALL of our guest speakers for the FIRST EVER, Survivors ABQ Pro-Life Training Conference:
Great turnout to Rally For LIFE! Around 50 people came out to show their support for LIFE and light up the darkness! We were a shining light to our community and shared the love and support the pro-life community has for the women and families coming from all across our state and all across the country for Late-Term abortions.
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato and Pastor Eric Lamb closed out the event in prayer and then we released all the balloons as a witness of our collective prayers of faith.
Albuquerque, NM- In a recently obtained undercover phone call to Planned Parenthood of New Mexico, a 14 year old minor makes an abortion appointment. Not only is the client hiding the abortion from her parents, she is also making sure she can hide the fact that the boyfriend who got her pregnant is a 21 year old man.
This constitutes statutory rape and should be reported to authorities, however, the Planned Parenthood employee assures the minor that the Doctor, Shauna Jamison, won’t report it and that this type of thing happens, and is covered up by Planned Parenthood all the time!
It’s no surprise that Planned Parenthood continues to cover up for rapists since they profit from these lucrative abortions, but in New Mexico where abortion has no restrictions whatsoever, the point needs to be made that young girls are being sexually exploited and abortion doctors in this state are complicit!
In light of this unsettling revelation, Bud Shaver, spokesman for Project Defending Life issued the following statement, “Young girls in New Mexico cannot trust Planned Parenthood to do the right thing, so we are calling on New Mexico legislators to protect our young girls from sexual predators…and from Planned Parenthood!”
The month of May was incredibly encouraging as God brought out workers for the ripe New Mexico harvest. We kicked off the month with a Mother’s Day rally outside of the late term clinic. About 60 people prayerfully and peacefully surrounded the clinic with flowers and life saving resources for the moms going in for abortions. New prayer warriors came out with their children which is the strongest reflection of love and life possible for the community to see. Everyday is mother’s day and we are privileged to minister, rescue and serve the pregnant, often desperate mom’s of New Mexico on a daily basis.
On May 13th, Abortionist Kermit Gosnell was found guilty of murdering babies born alive during late term abortions in Pennsylvania. What many New Mexicans are not aware of is the fact that the very method he used to kill babies that resulted in the births of live babies (he then killed), is being used here by SWO. We held a press conference outside of SWO to make that known and to draw attention to the fact that abortion is barbaric and must be stopped. The Gosnell case gives us hope that more people will see the truth and reject abortion altogether. The media coverage was awesome, Praise God!
At least 40 pro-lifers were there to hold signs and talk to the women and men going in. Local CBS TV station KRQE-13 ran the following report that afternoon:
The month ended with the second monthly “Youth for Life Rally” outside of SWO. This generation is overwhelmingly pro-life and eager to bring this injustice to light on the streets. God is doing an amazing work here in Albuquerque, when Christians are obedient to God’s call, He accomplishes so much. The battle for life here continues so please fervently pray for all of our efforts and one day New Mexico will be abortion free.
This month we offered our second monthly Sidewalk Counseling Training Seminar at Project Defending Life. We had a great turnout and received very encouraging feedback we’d like to share with you. “What I learned today was that I did not know what people who I saw ‘picketing’ outside clinics were really doing. I’ve seen it plenty of times, and I assumed the picketers were condemning the women as they went in to the clinic. As in ‘abortion is wrong!’ The end. But today I learned it is about a deep love of the women and the babies they carry. It’s about being present to present another option. It’s about stepping out in faith and trusting God will use us when we are obedient. It’s about educating the women, of exactly what the baby looks like in their womb. It is not the Westboro Baptist style message of hate and condemnation. I loved your explanation of how it is many women end up at a late clinic. It’s because they got some bad news about the babies condition or they have had a change in support that puts them in crisis mode. They have gotten a referral appointment from their doctor to the late term clinic, and are just ‘showing up.’ They are following doctors orders. They are not out looking for other options. So, the protesters/sidewalk counselors are, for many women, the first ‘other option’ they encounter. Therefore, a presence is vital!! Protestors are not there to condemn women, but rather present them with another option. I love Project Defending Life, because they do truly offer so many helpful resources. It’s not just encouraging words…it’s help backed with actions!!!” -Laura
“If you ever wondered what hard core, Pro-Life activists look like…here they are! This is what strikes fear into the abortion cartel…Loving, gracious, passionate mothers and their children…be afraid, very afraid!”
Above- Some of our faithful homeschooling mom volunteers. These ladies are awesome sidewalk counselors and are helping to raise up the next generation to be passionately pro-life by their own examples.
“I have come that you may have Life and Life Abundantly” (John 10:10)
This month, there was an amazing story that unfolded out on the sidewalk in front of the Late-Term abortion clinic! Two young women came over to us as we were reaching out at Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), the young woman who was there for an abortion was from Juarez MEXICO! She did not speak any English, but her friend who was with her did, they both had just come to Albuquerque, NM from El Paso Texas. A sidewalk counselor who was there with me, drove them both to Project Defending Life for life affirming help and an ultrasound. The young woman from Mexico traveled to El Paso and went to an abortion clinic run by Abortionist Franz Theard, she scheduled her abortion and paid $750. On the day of her abortion appointment she was told she was 19 weeks pregnant and that Theard only did abortions up to 15 weeks; they refused to give her the $750 she had already paid and they referred her to Southwestern Women’s Options!
When the two young women arrived at Project Defending Life, Maria, the mom’s ministry leader was surprised to see them AGAIN…come to find out, the shuttle driver from El Paso instead of driving these women to Southwestern Women’s Options, he brought them to Project Defending Life (how good is God?)! At that time, the young woman from Mexico did not want any of the help that Maria had offered her and was very closed off to the idea of keeping her baby! They both refused any help and made their way to the appointment scheduled at SWO! However, when they arrived the SECOND time to PDL she was open to having an ultrasound. SWO told her she was 23 weeks pregnant and asked her to pay $3000 dollars for the abortion! When Maria did the ultrasound a light appeared around the baby’s head (kind of like a halo) and continued to get brighter and brighter (See the ultrasound picture below). Maria, who has provided numerous ultrasounds over the years had never seen anything like this before! The young mom noticed the light shining on her baby and was so moved that she took it as a miraculous sign from God and was so excited to be a mom and be pregnant! At the end of the day she left PDL and headed back to MEXICO excited to be a mom and so thrilled about the baby she was carrying…for the first time in her pregnancy!
God was certainly at work in this mom’s life and was determined to see her precious baby saved. You really can’t make this kind of testimony up, God is at work!
Here is the ultrasound picture of the baby. The baby is facing us and on the right side is the light shining on the baby’s head and in the upper right, it is…as if there is a light shining into the womb!
Back in February (22, 2013) Bud shared this testimony from our ministry out at Late-Term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico:
“A mother who is 7 months pregnant came to the abortion clinic today but not to get an abortion she came because she knew we would be there and that we would be able to help her! Ironically she came to the right place…only because God’s love was present there through His people! God has created us to not simply be the city on a hill distant and set apart, but a city on the sidewalk in the midst of our communities! Surrounded by the darkness, we are shining bright and drawing people to the Son! This is the power of the God we serve and His purpose for His church!”
UPDATE: During the past few months we have been helping this mother with things she needed during her pregnancy. The body of Christ has rallied behind us and has stepped up in big ways to serve this family! We especially would like to thank Bobby and Collette for serving this family, she wanted us to say tank you to you both for the help you have provided!
Well here she is! She was born May 2nd, almost 8 lbs.
On May 3rd, Bud spoke to the Christian leaders during the National Day of Prayer Week at Glory Christian Fellowship in Albuquerque. This day was designated for prayer regarding the injustice of abortion in this city and our nation, here is an excerpt from his talk that has motivated a group of Pastors to get involved:
“When we look back on this past year, can we honestly say that we are better off as a nation from one year ago? Why not? What do the leaders of the church need to do this year, that will ensure that our prayers have the impact on our nation that they need to have? Bud shared his “street-side” view and encourages the Christian leaders of this city, and this nation that in this coming year, if we succeed in nothing else, we must protest the evil of this generation…Abortion!”
This month, Tara was interviewed on a local Christian TV station KAZQ TV-32. It was a great interview with great questions about late-term abortion in Albuquerque and how to get involved with Project Defending Life!
The interview with Tara begins at 11:50.
Special Report By Tara Shaver
Albuquerque, NM —Abortionist Kermit Gosnell was recently convicted of first degree murder of viable late term babies who were born alive after illegal late-term abortions. What he did to these babies has shocked the nation, but his actions are really business as usual at abortion clinics around the country.
The horrific crimes that took place at Kermit Gosnell’s abortion clinic have put a spotlight on the barbaric act of late-term abortion. However, the crimes committed in Pennsylvania are not isolated incidents. In fact, Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to one of the nation’s most high profile late-term abortion clinics, Southwestern Women’s Options, which doles out to women the same late-term procedure that Gosnell subjected his patients to, with only one difference; in Pennsylvania it was illegal to kill babies after 24 weeks but in New Mexico it is legal to kill a baby up to the day of birth.
In fact, New Mexico provides no restrictions whatsoever on abortion.
There are many troubling similarities between what took place in Philadelphia’s “House of Horrors” and what is currently taking place in Albuquerque’s “House of Pain.”
~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
Recently a press conference and rally were held at the late-term abortion facility, Southwestern Women’s Options, in Albuquerque. Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life alerted New Mexicans of the similarities to the Kermit Gosnell case that are happening right now in Albuquerque. This coverage exposes the horrific consequence of Late-Term abortion…13% of the the time, the babies are born alive, “What happens to these babies at Southwestern Women’s Option’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico?” This shocking fact was uncovered and reported on by Cheryl Sullenger of Operation Rescue during the Kermit Gosnell trial.
At least 40 pro-lifers were there to hold signs and talk to the women and men going in. Local CBS TV station KRQE-13 ran the following report that afternoon:
Also, here is another one of many interviews Tara Shaver did! This one was with Peter Benson of ABQ Connect, radio station 107.1 KNKT in response to our press conference and rally.
Tara is interviewed first at about 1 min- 6min, click the following link to listen to the 5 min interview: ABQConnect Player knkt.com
Here is a list of businesses/events to boycott and contact. These businesses are helping to keep abortion in ABQ by supporting Planned Parenthood’s Event “Choice Rocks” TONIGHT (Sat. May 18) at 6:30pm. This is a small way to be a voice for life in the community by refusing to fund those who think it’s acceptable for Planned Parenthood to forever wound women and murder their pre-born children. I’ve also included corresponding website links, please join me in CALLING THEM TODAY to, respectfully, let these entities know that the pro-life community will no longer frequent them until they stop supporting Planned Parenthood.
An additional Santa Fe business, “Iconik Coffee Roasters” was on this list earlier. However, after a lengthy conversation about Planned Parenthood’s business and the fact that Iconik is Christian owned they emailed the following statement to us:
“Iconik Coffee believes that every person, born or unborn, is created in Gods image. Because of this, each and every person is deserving of dignity, value, worth and the right to life. We do not financially support any organization that sees things otherwise. We support life.”
Please support “Iconik Coffee Roasters” and thank them for supporting life.
In light of the Kermit Gosnell murder convictions, Tara Shaver held a news conference Tuesday in front of Albuquerque’s late-term abortion facility, Southwestern Women’s Options.
“Tara Shaver, media spokesperson for Project Defending Life, gives a statement and a call to action so that a clinic performing Gosnell-like abortions here in Albuquerque is brought to light. In particular the governor Susana Martinez and mayor Richard Berry were singled out as government officials who need to respond,” Clay Schroff of the Aspen Project
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Tara was interviewed by local television stations, CBS KRQE-13 and ABC KOAT-7, and the following story was aired on the 4:00 pm newscast of KRQE:
At least 30 pro-lifers showed up and held signs and talked to the women and men going into the clinic.
The following is her complete statement, video recorded by Calvary ABQ Assistant Pastor Justin Marbury.
Here is the one of many interviews Tara Shaver did! This one was with Peter Benson of ABQ Connect, radio station 107.1 KNKT in response to our press conference and rally out at Late-Term abortion “House of Pain” Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, NM.
Tara is interviewed first at about 1 min- 6min, click the following link to listen to the 5 min interview: ABQConnect Player knkt.com
On Monday, May 13, 2013 Kermit Gosnell, the notorious abortionist from Philadelphia was found guilty of 3 counts of 1st degree murder after killing infants who were born alive during abortions. Each week women come to Albuquerque from all over the country for the very same late term procedure that Gosnell performed on his patients.
New Mexico is a state where abortion is legal through all nine months of pregnancy, abortion clinics are never inspected and abortion injuries are occurring at a staggering rate. This verdict strikes close to home and has huge implications for those of us in Albuquerque which has become the late term abortion capital of the country. The Gosnell case put the very act of abortion on trial and especially the barbaric act of late term abortion.
“Following this guilty verdict we are calling on every person who has the ability to protect women and their pre-born children in New Mexico to act, beginning with Governor Martinez and DA Brandenburg. We also call on the Department of Health to properly oversee and inspect abortion clinics in the state as a matter of the public safety,” stated Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life.
The sidewalk in front of the the late-term abortion facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was the setting on Friday for a special Mother’s Day event. Over 60 people turned out for the Mother’s Day Rally and Outreach in front of Southwestern Women’s Options, and many showed up with homemade signs and also had flowers for the women going in.
Organizers Bud and Tara Shaver summed it up as follows:
“A lot goes into planning a successful event: buying flowers, making bouquets, getting all the literature that is passed out, signs, sending out event details, radio interviews, media press releases, etc. With all the focus on the ministry directed at the women driving in and all the people driving by and the community at large, I was most struck today by how this event was successful as a ministry to us; those on the sidewalk, the pro-life community! So many people connected with each other and realized the friends of friends that connect us all! Everyone walked away uplifted, encouraged and wanting to do this again.All in all, this event was a success for us, the pro-life community, and I look forward to all that God has in store for this city as we each step out in faith and commit to seeing lives changed and forever saved as we minister to this city and to one another. To God be the glory!
This is how we light up the darkness and proclaim the love of Christ to our community!”
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Here are a couple of comments made from pro-life people who attended the Mother’s Day Rally and Outreach:
Nikki, “The best thing I did all week! I can’t wait to do it again!”
Sandi, “I thought I was going to minister and instead I came away encouraged and uplifted. God had a divine appointment for ME there today.”
Bernadette, “I was blessed today at the Mother’s Day Rally. Hey guys I was driving into my complex tonight and one of the ladies I meet for the first time ever at the Rally today Was coming out of the complex to her vehicle. I recognized this lady i meet at the rally and i said hi do you remember me from the rally today at the clinic she said yes then she said do you live here, i said I do. We exchanged apt. numbers. She said we’ll have to knock on each other’s door to visit. Now That’s a God incident.”
Bud and Tara Shaver invite you to join them on the sidewalk this Friday from 10:00-1:00 for a special Mother’s Day event in front of the late-term abortion facility Southwestern Women’s Options. Come out and present women entering the clinic a flower, resources, and encouragement to choose life in light of Mother’s Day this Sunday. Flowers will be provided and please feel free to make your own signs if you like. They especially need some saying Happy Mother’s Day.
Be the shining light in these women’s lives and share with them the love and support the pro-life community has for them.
When: Friday, May 10th, 10 AM – 1 PM Where: Southwestern Women’s Options, 522 Lomas Blvd. NE, ABQ
For more information please contact Tara Shaver: tara@defendinglife.org
“This poll shows what we have been saying all along, that the proposed Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance has wide support in Albuquerque. Putting this ordinance to a vote is the right thing to do,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “Late-term abortion is a barbaric and dangerous practice that has no place in a civilized society. There are better, more compassionate alternatives for women in the late stages of pregnancy than inflicting upon them and their babies the brutality of abortion.”
Albuquerque, NM – In a titanic effort that garnered twice the necessary signatures in half the required time, pro-life groups spearheaded by Project Defending Life have submitted 27,000 signatures to the Albuquerque City Clerk on a city-wide legislative petition to ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation. That number of signatures virtually ensures the proposed late-term abortion ban will be on the ballot in an upcoming election, possibly as soon as October 8.
Albuquerque, New Mexico – A first-in-the-nation effort has been launched by an Albuquerque pro-life group that could ban late-term abortions within the city limits of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the largest late-term abortion clinic in the nation operates.
At Southwestern Women’s Options, three abortionists 
