Albuquerque, NM — Abortionist Kermit Gosnell is currently awaiting a verdict from the jury for a host of criminal charges and five counts of murder including the murders of four 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.
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.”
An eyewitness saw New Mexico late-term abortionist Shelly Sella stab a baby to death after the baby was born alive during an abortion…an act for which Kermit Gosnell is currently facing the death penalty.
Horrific abortion injuries in New Mexico have been documented beginning in 2008. These injuries have been reported to the authorities, as were injuries suffered by Gosnell patients, who had a history of injuring women going back before Roe v. Wade.
Complaints were filed with the NM Medical Board regarding 11 abortion injuries at Southwestern Women’s Options, Albuquerque’s late term abortion clinic. The Board’s initial response was to resist any investigation just like the Pennsylvania authorities turned a blind eye to complaints about Gosnell. Out of the 11 New Mexico complaints, only one was investigated, that of a 35-week abortion that resulted in the ruptured uterus. Abortionist, Shelly Sella however, got away scot-free. Subsequent complaints that have been filed after several more botched abortions have been outright denied investigations. This same lack of attention to public complaints in Pennsylvania created an atmosphere where Gosnell could thrive.
Abortion clinics in Albuquerque are never inspected by the Department of Health. These “clinics” are exempt from the Ambulatory Surgical Center classification and therefore abortionists do whatever they want under no scrutiny or accountability. In Pennsylvania, Gosnell’s clinic was not inspected for 17 years. When abortion clinics are not inspected, abortion abuses flourish.
New Mexico has a criminal abortion statute that has never been enforced. This statute states that post viability abortions are to be done in an accredited hospital. Instead, dangerous outpatient clinics that have no immediate access to emergency care, such as Southwestern Women’s Options and Gosnell’s Women’s Medical Society, conduct risky procedures in settings that simply are not safe.
From Governor Martinez on down New Mexico is full of apathetic leaders, legislators and authorities that are placing women’s lives at risk, just as the irresponsible regulators in Pennsylvania did when they refused to do their duty to rein in Gosnell’s corrupt abortion enterprise.
An extremely noteworthy and disturbing fact that Cheryl Sullenger, of Operation Rescue, uncovered and reported on during the Gosnell trial is that 13% of the digoxin injections being given in New Mexico during late term abortions fail. If the drug is injected into the amniotic sac instead of the fetus, the failure rate on the first try can be as astronomically high as 70 percent.
This injection is designed to cause a fetal heart attack in order to ensure “fetal demise” prior to the expulsion of the baby. It is utilized by abortionists at Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque every week. Many questions logically follow this discovery. What happens at Southwestern Women’s Options 13% of the time when these injections fail and viable babies are born alive, what is your protocol? When the injections fail and the baby is born alive, what care is given the newborn infant? Or are Gosnell-like protocols in place to secretly handle the live-birth “complication”?
All across the country undercover recordings are proving that Gosnell’s practice of carelessness and callousness is not isolated. What does the Gosnell trial and verdict mean for those of us in New Mexico? While there are many similarities, there are also differences — differences in statute and funding.
“The gruesome details of abortion abuses we have seen throughout the Gosnell trial will one day come to light here in New Mexico. Those who have been apathetic or have refused to act will ultimately be held accountable,” stated Bud Shaver of Project Defending Life.
The lack of enforcement of the law is not helpful to women. The blind eye turned by the Medical Board and Department of Health does not benefit the public. What will it take to protect women and children from the horrors of late-term abortion? Will Governor Martinez take notice when a woman dies in New Mexico or when a full-term baby is murdered after being expelled alive after a late-term abortion? When may we expect those in God-given positions of authority to take notice and pursue justice? In New Mexico, while women daily risk their lives at unaccountable and dangerous abortion clinics, we continue to wait for an answer.
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!
Here she is! She was born May 2nd, almost 8 lbs.
This is why we…”Never grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Bud Shaver spoke to the Christian leaders during the National Day of Prayer Week at Glory Christian Fellowship in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday night May 3, 2013. This day was designated for prayer regarding the injustice of abortion in this city and our nation.
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 shares 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!
Tara Shaver is interviewed on a local Christian TV station KAZQ TV-32. Great interview with great questions about late-term abortion in this city and how to get involved with Project Defending Life! Check it out and share it with your friends, together we can educate, activate, and equip the Christian community to help end abortion…One woman, one child, one city at a time!
The interview with Tara begins at 11:50.
“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
In April we were blessed to see more people getting involved in the pro-life movement in ABQ. One day we were joined by Rev. Alvin Spears in front of late term abortion clinic, SWO. We were able to pray with, weep with, encourage, restore, and preach the Gospel to people who were simply passing by. Thankfully the 3 hours we were at the clinic there were no abortion patients! This is how we do ministry, maintain unity, fulfill the “Great Commission,” and end abortion all at the same time!
There was also an excellent turnout to the Sidewalk Counseling Information Session this month at Project Defending Life…24 people and a lot of new faces!
In April Bud was also invited to speak in Durango, CO at a conference hosted by Students for Life of America. His topic to speak about for an hour was…Activism! Oh yeah, he was really exited and honored by this great opportunity!
Students For Life UNM Presentation
Tara was invited to speak to the newly formed SFL group at UNM as well. We are super excited that a presence for life will is present at UNM and are so blessed to have an opportunity to equip them with knowledge that is vital to changing hearts and minds on campus.
Survivors Pro-Life training Camp in NM
In case you missed it in our last newsletter we are gearing up for the first ever pro-life training camp in NM. This camp changed our lives and we know it will change those who attend camp from August 2-10, 2013.
The Early Bird Registration ends June 2nd so, if you know a young person who might like to come to camp please have them visit here. If you would like one of us to promote the camp at your church to the youth group please contact us. If you would like to sponsor a young person to come to camp go to the donate page and be sure to put 2013 camp in the message box with any donation amount. We want this camp to reach it’s full capacity so please help us spread the word and make this camp a huge success.
“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
Sidewalk Testimony
The first place we stopped at when we got back into town was Project Defending Life. Tara literally walked into PDL and Jennifer (one of our sidewalk volunteers) had just arrived herself, with an entire family that she intercepted from Late-Term abortion clinic SWO! It was a great way to be welcomed back to Albuquerque after some much needed R&R. Here are Tara and Jennifer’s testimonies:
“Victory at the late term clinic today!! A young girl, 16 or 17, arrived with her whole family (7 total) with the intent of aborting her 3 month child. We were unsuccessful in reaching this young lady, her mother and her aunt as they walked in the clinic BUT we were able to reach the 11 year old sister who was waiting in the van with her father & other siblings. I gave the 11 year old a gift resource bag and explained to her that we were there to help and that abortion would hurt her sister and the baby. This brave girl must have shared the information with her father because after a few minutes, the dad got out of the van and went into the clinic. Minutes later, they ALL came out and approached us wanting the help!! The young girl who was seeking the abortion told us that she was a senior in high school and was scared about having a baby. She was scared about the finances. She didn’t see any other way. We assured her and her family that she made the right choice of choosing life for her baby! The whole family then followed me to Project Defending Life where they were ready to do an ultrasound and offer help in any way necessary. God used an 11 year old girl to save this baby’s life today! So amazed by His ways and faithfulness!”
“What an awesome way to return home! A young mom was intercepted from SWO and chose life for her 9 week old baby after I was able to counsel her and witness with her the beating heart of her precious child via ultrasound! Thank you God for your conviction in her life and thank you Jennifer for your faithfulness on the street:-) So blessed to be a part of how God is moving and using us to save lives in this city.” Tara Shaver
Reflection from the Street
Sidewalk ministry outside of a Late-Term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), in Albuquerque, NM has its highs and lows; victories and defeats. While we reach out with love, grace, and compassion, that is not always reciprocated or received. Simply being present for these families in their darkest hour is all that we can control, we have no control over the choice they make in response to the outpouring of our love. Most responses are to ignore or tune us out, some even lash out with anger and profanity, a lot of “birds,” and many tears. Occasionally we are able to pass on life affirming resources and post-abortion healing information and pray with these women, drivers, boyfriends, husbands, friends, and family members. Sometimes we witness turnarounds, and these women and children spared from abortion. We are then able to direct them to Project Defending Life for life supporting care and assistance. We direct them there, personally give them rides, or jump in our cars and lead them there as they follow behind. Four days in a row this month out at SWO we have witnessed and experienced all of this…this is rarer than rare, but possible when you step out in faith and allow God to use you to be His hands and feet! We have experienced lives being forever saved and had the opportunity to not simply share the love of Christ, but to witness it being received!
A pro-life activism poem written by Bud was featured on the award winning Pro-Life blog www.standforlife.net
If I accomplish nothing else, I will succeed in protesting the evil of our generation…Abortion!
“Even though I stand alone, and my cry not heeded, I will ever protest the evil of our generation! When my pleas to Christians and the pro-life community are ignored and yet I stand alone, I will stand with the trees they will hold the signs I bring; together we will protest the evil of this generation. Even though my love be considered hate and my compassion construed as hypocritical judgment, ever will I protest! When the birds fly and the stones are hurled my way and despite the mother’s and father’s who walk the other way, when my voice fails I will lift my sign high in protest. If I accomplish nothing else, I will succeed in protesting the evil of our generation…Abortion!” – Bud Shaver
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.
Register today, and you’ll immediately receive $25 off your camp fee. Bring your friends and save even more!
THIS IS BIG. For the first time ever, the Survivors and Project Defending Life will be partnering up together to offer the first ever Pro-Life Training Camp in Albuquerque, NM in the Summer of 2013! The Survivors hold this camp every summer in Los Angeles, CA. In fact, this camp was our first pro-life experience ever and we have never been the same. The theme of the New Mexico camp is, “What will you do to change this world? We are the pro-life generation.” It’s time to bring this extensive pro-life training to Albuquerque — Late Term Abortion Capital of the country!
Join high-school and college age youth in Albuquerque for hands-on training in pro-life outreach, exceptional workshops led by national pro-life leaders, and the best on-the-ground education you’ll find in the whole movement. Here is your chance to become the most effective pro-life advocate your town has ever seen.
How will Camp make me a more effective pro-lifer?
From preparing a press release to sharing the truth of abortion on a street corner — the Survivors use a signature combination of classroom teaching and hands-on experience to produce pro-life leaders for the next generation!
Stage 1 — TRAINING: The Survivors ProLife Training Camps are designed to involve YOU in exciting and effective activism. Our first-ever New Mexico Camp will take place in Albuquerque, the Abortion Capital of the Southwest and the Late Term Abortion Capital of the country —this location provides endless opportunities for much-needed activism.
However, before you begin any activism, you will participate in workshops and training sessions taught by experienced pro-life leaders. These workshops are designed to equip you to confidently present the pro-life message on the streets, in schools, and to your peers. Whether you’ve been in the pro-life fight for years, or are new to the cause, you will come away with a fresh perspective and better equipped to intercede for the pre-born.
Stage 2 — ACTIVISM: Not only will the Survivors ProLife Training Camp train and equip you to be an effective voice for the voiceless, but also gives you an opportunity to try out a wide variety of pro-life activities during the second half of camp.
Whatever your style, you will be able to find the pro-life outreach that works for you!
How much will it cost?
Camp fee is $250, but there are many ways to come to camp at little or no cost to you. Check out our New Mexico discounts and fundraising ideas! For group discounts, be sure to contact New Mexico Camp Director, Tara Shaver, at tara@defendinglife.org.
Camp fee includes food, lodging, training materials, and transportation once you have arrived at camp.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Take $25 off your camp fee by submitting your application before June 2, 2013!
BRING FRIENDS & SAVE: Save up to $75 per person by bringing two friends to camp, with the early bird discount. In order to be qualified for the group discount, all members of the group must each submit a completed application and $50 non-refundable deposit. Please note in the “How Did You Hear About Survivors” box on the application – name of the group, if applicable, or persons(s) with whom the discount will be shared. The Early Bird Discount also applies to the individuals in the group that have submitted their application and paid their deposit by the June 2nd deadline.
How do I apply?
By simply filling out the online application.
-Complete the New Mexico online application.Once you’ve filled out the application, send your $50 non-refundable deposit to: Project Defending Life, PO Box 50351 Albuquerque, NM 87181 OR simply pay online. You will receive confirmation (parents of minors will be included in all correspondence) once your application has been received.
For more information on the first ever pro-life training camp in Albuquerque, NM please visit prolifewitness.org.
To sponsor a young person to come to camp or to volunteer during camp please contact Tara Shaver: tara@defendinglife.org or 505-319-7825
Why not use this summer to save lives?
Spend 9 days with Survivors and Project Defending Life and we’ll show you how!
This month was another busy one. It never ceases to amaze us how much work there is to be done in order to be a witness for life, expose the deeds of darkness, hold abortionists accountable and share the love of Jesus Christ here in ABQ. We are thankful to be a part of what God is doing here and to those of you who continue to pray for us and our ministry efforts. May God receive all the glory, praise and honor!
(Prayer warriors outside the Rio Rancho, NM Planned Parenthood during 40 Days for Life.)
Sidewalk Testimony
Here is a testimony from this month by sidewalk counselor Donna who joins us on Wednesdays outside of SWO:
“When I stand outside of the abortion clinic to pray and have a peaceful presence I never know who or what the Lord will bring my way. On Wednesday this week while standing outside of Southwestern Women’s Options, Albuquerque’s late term abortion clinic, a couple walked up after getting off a bus at a nearby bus stop. They stopped and looked at one of the signs depicting the true images of abortion that Bud had placed there. We asked to speak with them and when they agreed we let them know what goes on in the clinic and the fact that many women have been injured and sent to the hospital resulting from procedures performed there. The young girl said she was only there to get a free pregnancy test. We let her know that there were other, safer places to have this done that do not perform abortions. The couple said they had no more money to get on the bus and go to another location. So I asked them if I could drive them to Project Defending Life to have a test done. I praise God that we were there to give her information and help her get to a place that would value her and her baby’s life and get her help if she needs it.
Shortly after returning to the clinic a young, professional woman parked at the clinic and I asked if she would come and speak with me. I told her I didn’t know why she was there, but wanted to give her some information about the place. I let her know that even though the word “options” is in the name of the business, the only option available to women there was abortion. And that abortions are performed up until the day of delivery. Also, this clinic attracts women from around the country since the state of New Mexico allows this when other states do not. She told me she had no idea these things were going on there. She had recently earned her certificate to draw blood and since she believed this was a place that helped pregnant women she thought she would seek employment there. She said “I love life, I had no idea!” She changed her mind about applying for work there and got into her car and drove away!
All praise and glory to God! I thank Him for the work He is doing and that I can be a part of it.”
“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
(Good Friday Jericho Walk outside the ABQ Planned Parenthood, which closes the abortion clinic for the day!)
Botched Abortion At Albuquerque Late-Term Abortion Clinic Lands 14th Woman In Hospital
Albuquerque, NM – An ambulance arrived at Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and transported an abortion patient to UNM Medical Center at approximately 1:00 p.m. today, Friday, March 1, 2013.
This is the 14th medical emergency since November, 2008. The last medical emergency at SWO took place on February 7, 2013. The woman, who was reportedly from Utah, arrived at the clinic earlier in the day along with family members, but declined to converse with Bud Shaver, a pro-life activist with Project Defending Life, who was outside the abortion clinic at the time of the incident. It is believed that she was at the clinic for the final day of a late-term abortion.
We Must Never Shirk Back, Even In The Face of Seemingly Insurmountable Odds!
On March 8, myself (Tara Shaver) and Evie Jilek, general counsel for Project Defending Life, met with the city of Albuquerque’s District Attorney, Kari Brandenburg. This meeting was one of many we have recently held with various leaders throughout the state. In light of the tremendous amount of abortion injuries at local clinics, our concern is for the safety and health of women seeking dangerous third trimester abortions. When presented the facts, DA Brandenburg seemed very concerned as well. In this conversation I think it was beneficial to converse women to women about such a delicate invasive procedure. As women, we understand each other and share a common concern for one another that crosses all perceived differences of opinion. Abortion really is, at any gestation, the greatest violation of the unique miracle that only women can experience. The reason for this meeting was to address the fact that there is a criminal abortion statute in NM. One of the things this statute mandates, is that post viability abortions are to be performed in an accredited hospital.
New Investigation Shows that the Heart of Abortion Clinics Is Not “HealthCare”
By Tara Shaver
(Click on the video above to listen to the undercover call)
Albuquerque, NM — An undercover investigation of the Southwest’s largest so-called “women’s clinic” has revealed that the purpose of this clinic is not to provide women’s healthcare at all, but to sell women one product – abortion. In fact, the only option given to women at the misnamed Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is abortion. Period.
So many times people criticize pro-life activists for focusing attention on local abortion clinics, citing the many other services such clinics provide. However, at Southwestern Women’s Options, a clinic that specializes in lucrative third trimester abortions, there are no other services.
Here in Albuquerque, as we reach out to abortion-bound women outside of this late-term abortion clinic, women give us all kinds of reason as to why they are going inside. “I’m having an ectopic pregnancy removed,” “I’m here for an IUD,” “I’m getting birth control,” “I’m here for a mammogram,” “I’m here for a well woman exam,” or “I am here for STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing” are the excuses we hear from women entering the clinic on an almost daily basis. Very few women actually admit to going in for an abortion to kill their child.
The heart of the abortion industry is ABORTION, not women’s healthcare. Abortion clinics are businesses and many of them like SWO only offer abortions because that’s where the money is. With all of the talk recently about protecting women’s healthcare, we must ask ourselves, “What ‘healthcare’ services are we talking about?”
Project Defending Life and Survivors are pleased to officially announce the first ever Pro-Life Training Camp in Albuquerque, NM! The Survivors hold this camp every summer in Los Angeles, CA. In fact, this camp was our first pro-life experience ever and we have never been the same. The theme of the NM camp is, “What will you do to change this world? We are the pro-life generation.” Today’s young people are ready to stand for life, they just need the proper training to do so. So when it comes to training we cover all the bases from pro-life apologetics, how to plan events, sidewalk counseling we will equip these young people with all they need to stand for life. We don’t stop there though, the last part of camp is where we put all we have learned into action on the streets of ABQ and Santa Fe. If you know a young person who might like to come to camp please share the postcard below with them. If you would like one of us to promote the camp at your church among the youth group please contact us. If you would like to sponsor a young person to come to camp visit www.prolifewitness.org, go to the donate page and be sure to put 2013 camp in the message box with any donation amount. We want this camp to reach it’s full capacity so please help us spread the word. We already have young people from CA and NY coming to NM to learn how to save lives!
Albuquerque, NM — An undercover investigation of the Southwest’s largest so-called “women’s clinic” has revealed that the purpose of this clinic is not to provide women’s healthcare at all, but to sell women one product – abortion. In fact, the only option given to women at the misnamed Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is abortion. Period.
So many times people criticize pro-life activists for focusing attention on local abortion clinics, citing the many other services such clinics provide. However, at Southwestern Women’s Options, a clinic that specializes in lucrative third trimester abortions, there are no other services.
Here in Albuquerque, as we reach out to abortion-bound women outside of this late-term abortion clinic, women give us all kinds of reason as to why they are going inside. “I’m having an ectopic pregnancy removed,” “I’m here for an IUD,” “I’m getting birth control,” “I’m here for a mammogram,” “I’m here for a well woman exam,” or “I am here for STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing” are the excuses we hear from women entering the clinic on an almost daily basis. Very few women actually admit to going in for an abortion to kill their child.
The heart of the abortion industry is ABORTION, not women’s healthcare. Abortion clinics are businesses and many of them like SWO only offer abortions because that’s where the money is. With all of the talk recently about protecting women’s healthcare, we must ask ourselves, “What ‘healthcare’ services are we talking about?”
Project Defending Life and Operation Rescue, recently conducted an undercover investigation to find out exactly what services Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) actually provides women. When an undercover caller asked SWO if birth control could be obtained at the clinic the reply was, “Birth control is only available to our (abortion) patients.”
When asked whether or not annual well women’s exams like pap smears are offered, the answer again was, “No.” When asked if they screen for sexually transmitted diseases, the answer once again was no.
Most disturbingly when asked if an ectopic pregnancy can be seen on ultrasound at SWO, the answer was, “No.” This fact alone is troublesome because these types of pregnancies can be life threatening.
In fact, the employee of SWO that we conversed with indicated that her ultrasound machine was so outdated that it was incapable of diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy. If a woman was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, she told us that their facility wasn’t equipped to handle that kind of thing.
“That requires a surgical site to do that,” she admitted, even though the abortions done at the clinic where she works do surgical abortions all day long. Was she admitting that her facility wasn’t properly equipped to properly handle surgeries and the complications that might develop from them?
We think so, and have documentation to support it.
Project Defending Life has documented 14 abortion injuries since 2008 at SWO. The most recent abortion related injury occurred on March 1, 2013. Life-threatening complications suffered by these women range from hemorrhage, to incomplete abortions where baby body parts were not completely removed, to a ruptured uterus during a 35-week abortion.
To further show that money is a motivating factor behind the abortion industry, a previous undercover investigation of SWO revealed that late-term abortions on perfectly healthy babies and babies diagnosed with Down syndrome cost anywhere from 8-16 THOUSAND DOLLARS. In fact, the taxpayers of New Mexico foot the bill 100% for these abortions via Medicaid. In 2011 alone, New Mexico Medicaid paid for 1,786 abortions at a whopping cost of $1,127,557.26 to New Mexico taxpayers.
Healthcare is defined as “the field concerned with the maintenance or restoration of the health of the body or mind,” however, abortion does neither. Abortion doesn’t restore the health of the woman’s body nor in our vast experience with post-abortive women, does abortion restore the mind.
In fact, the procedures employed during an abortion do just the opposite. For instance, the suction within the uterus during a first trimester aspiration abortion can be damaging to the uterine wall. The second trimester procedure requires that the pre-born child be pulled apart piece by piece with grasping instruments, which sometimes results in an internal organ being grabbed instead of the child. The third trimester procedure is essentially an early induced labor, after the pre-born child has been euthanized via a fetal heart attack. The drug combination and other aspects of this horrific practice bears many risks to the woman.
Abortion certainly doesn’t heal the minds of women either; in fact many post abortive women testify that mentally they are in turmoil after their abortions for many years.
Abortion isn’t healthcare. It provides no benefit to anyone, woman or child, except for the abortionists and their bank accounts. The New York Times recently published an article “The Holocaust Just Got More Shocking,” that described the Nazi “care” centers that committed unspeakable atrocities on women, including abortions, which sound eerily similar to our modern day American women’s health “care” clinics.
Should these types of clinics receive public money when they do not offer basic healthcare and in fact, have the potential of harming the health of unsuspecting women? We think not.
The lack of basic medical care provided to women at clinics like Southwestern Women’s Options and the staggering number of documented abortion injuries, not just in Albuquerque, but nationwide, should motivate all of us to be even more diligent to offer help to abortion-vulnerable women, especially at the abortion clinics themselves, because it seems that the only ones who truly care about the health of women — body, mind, and soul – are those of us outside the walls of American abortion clinics.
On March 8, 2013 myself (Tara Shaver) and Evie Jilek, general counsel for Project Defending Life, met with the city of Albuquerque’s District Attorney, Kari Brandenburg. This meeting was one of many we have recently held with various leaders throughout the state. In light of the tremendous amount of abortion injuries at local clinics, our concern is for the safety and health of women seeking dangerous third trimester abortions.
When presented the facts, DA Brandenburg seemed very concerned as well. In this conversation I think it was beneficial to converse women to women about such a delicate invasive procedure. As women, we understand each other and share a common concern for one another that crosses all perceived differences of opinion. Abortion really is, at any gestation, the greatest violation of the unique miracle that only women can experience. The reason for this meeting was to address the fact that there is a criminal abortion statute in NM [Section 30-5-1 NMSA 1978]. One of the things this statute mandates, is that post viability abortions are to be performed in an accredited hospital.
Southwestern Women’s Options is not an accredited hospital but continues to perform these post viability abortions, which is one of the reasons why we continue documenting abortion injuries at a staggering rate in NM. On February 7 and March 1 women were transported from SWO by ambulance to local hospitals. It only makes sense that if SWO is unable to handle emergency situations that arise from the dangerous late term abortion procedure, then they should not be allowed to be done where adequate help is not available. We asked the DA to enforce this statute in the interest of women’s safety. DA Brandenburg has agreed to look into the statute and potentially seek an opinion from the Attorney General to determine whether or not criminal charges can be filed.
I was pretty encouraged by this meeting because for once a true concern for how these abortions are done and how they affect women was taken in to account, in fact both DA Brandenburg and her Chief Deputy were visibly horrified. We trust that the DA will look into this statute and are thankful for the opportunity to bring these concerns to light. As a community we can all stand together in the interest of protecting women, it is our hope that this will happen and that it won’t take a woman dying for everyone to wake up to what is actually happening here in Albuquerque.
By Bud Shaver(This post originally appeared at Stand For Life)
Within the Pro-Life community…“To use or not to use graphic images, that is the question.” My desire in contributing to this dialogue is not to cause division; while I personally use graphic images everyday as I sidewalk counsel and stand for life out at late-term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico I would never tell someone that disagreed with me that they had to use graphic images. I believe we should extend grace to those who choose not to. However, my experience is that those who do not use graphic images, they are not as gracious, in fact…they can be some of my harshest critics! The main reason that I use graphic images is because they restore meaning to the word abortion, they change minds, and they save lives.
My wife, Tara Shaver, and I work with Project Defending Life (PDL) a Pro-Life ministry center in Albuquerque, NM that has a vast amount of resources for abortion minded women. I have a rare opportunity to be both out on the street referring women at the abortion clinic to PDL and inside PDL as my wife Tara counsels the women that we reach. My wife makes the point to ask the women what was it that changed their mind, time and time again the graphic images are what penetrated their heart and most contributed in saving their babies from abortion.
Our convictions must not be shaped by the world, our own emotions, or by our own understanding. They must be shaped by the Word of God. The most brutal and graphic sign the world has ever beheld, is Jesus’ marred and bloody body hanging on a cross at Calvary. So, I am going to examine each of these eight reasons levied against the use of graphic images and examine them as if they were levied against God Himself and His choice to hold the most graphic sign of all…
1. There will be children at the march. I am sure there were children that witnessed Jesus being led through the streets of Jerusalem and at the foot of Calvary. Whether or not children would be present at the crucifixion did not deter God from choosing this graphic display to convict the world of sin, judgment and righteousness!
2. There will be post-abortive women at the march. There were murders, thieves and sinners at the foot of Calvary. In fact these are the very ones that need this sign (Christ being lifted up…to be drawn to Jesus John 12:32.) We are all sinners and need to be continually reminded of what of our sin produced…the death of Jesus!
3. Mothers will be there. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was at Calvary…enough said!
4. Those are real babies. Calvary was real too! In fact we need the truth about what Jesus experienced on the cross to become more real to us each and every day as we are tempted to sin!
5. Public image matters. Did public image matter to God? Jesus Christ was brutally murdered at the hands of sinful men and displayed for all to see. In fact Jesus was ridiculed and mocked on the cross. His own disciples and the apostles scattered and were in confusion after the crucifixion. However, Jesus personally rebuked Peter when Peter told Him not to use Himself as a graphic image! (Matthew 16:21-23)
6. They sometimes push women into abortion. (Personally, this is the most ridiculous! Women who go to abortion clinics are abortion bound, the only question is…”Is it possible for their minds to be changed or their hearts to be penetrated by someone who reaches out to them with compassion and the truth?”) Does Calvary push people to sin more…? I don’t think so! Calvary and its brutality is what penetrates the most hardened hearts! God knows best what convicts of sin, judgment, and righteousness…the brutality of the cross is it!
[I sidewalk counsel and display graphic images out at local abortion clinics in Albuquerque, NM 4-5 days a week “year-round” and I also toured the country with the Survivors Campus Life Tour and visited over 180 colleges and high schools; we used graphic images and educational displays to engage our peers in dialogue about the injustice of abortion…needless to say I have had hundreds of conversations with people and I have never had a woman come up to me at an abortion clinic and say “I was driving down the road happily pregnant until I saw the graphic images you have displayed and I busted a u-turn and decided to have an abortion,” nor have I ever had someone walk up to me and say, “I was pro-life until I saw your graphic images displayed at my college…now I am pro-abortion.” But I have had numerous students come up to me while I was at colleges and high schools and state, “I was pro-choice until I saw these images, now I totally get it…I am now 100% pro-life!” I have also had numerous women run over to me in tears and say, “Thank you so much for being here! After seeing these images, there is no way that I can go through with my abortion!” In fact, just last week a 16 year old girl came over to us as we were sidewalk counseling out at late-term abortion clinic SWO and say, “I almost did something bad, but I didn’t.”]
7. Desensitization is a real danger — even among pro-lifers. No matter how many times we see a cross and realize the implications of what Jesus endured we will never become desensitized to Calvary! In fact, God chose to leave us His Word to read daily and meditate upon moment by moment the implications of the cross! We should come to the foot of Calvary more often! Let it ever be before us!
8. People see what they want to see. When it comes to Jesus, people see what they want to see, however, may we never shirk back and fail to lead people to the foot of Calvary!
The greatest accusation (not mentioned above) that can be levied against those of us who choose to use graphic images is that we are insensitive or unloving. People do not usually come out and make that accusation it mostly comes out in statements like, “We are not going to use graphic images; we are going to use more loving signs.”
The most loving sign the world has ever seen, was held by God Himself, that sign was His Son, Jesus the Christ, bloody and marred beyond recognition. This sign forever declared to the world our sin and draws those who are convicted out of darkness and into the light. (John 12:32) May our concept of love never be fashioned by the world or our own understanding. Our concept of love must be fashioned in light of the cross.
[UPDATED] There are some great resources that defend in depth, the use of graphic images, I personally recommend these:
Stephanie Gray, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform, spoke at the Students for Life of America national conference in January 2014. In this excerpt, she argues for the use of victims photography in efforts to end abortion.
Watch the raw video by Bud Shaver of Project Defending Life here:
Albuquerque, NM – An ambulance arrived at Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and transported an abortion patient to UNM Medical Center at approximately 1:00 p.m. today, Friday, March 1, 2013.
This is the 14th medical emergency since November, 2008. The last medical emergency at SWO took place on February 7, 2013.
The woman, who was reportedly from Utah, arrived at the clinic earlier in the day along with family members, but declined to converse with Bud Shaver, a pro-life activist with Project Defending Life, who was outside the abortion clinic at the time of the incident. It is believed that she was at the clinic for the final day of a late-term abortion.
Tara Shaver was able to confirm that Southwestern Women’s Options did not call 911, but rather made a direct call to the ambulance company even though such calls take longer for emergency units to respond. This is contrary to sworn testimony provided by SWO abortionist Shelley Sella that stated SWO’s policy is to always call 911 in the event of a medical emergency.
Shaver reported that Sella’s associate, Susan Robinson, was the abortionist on duty during the incident. Robinson and Sella, along with Maryland abortionist LeRoy Carhart and Colorado abortionist Warren Hern were featured in the widely publicized film “After Tiller” that debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January. They are among the few who openly do third-trimester abortions.
Sella narrowly survived charges of gross negligence last month that were brought by the New Mexico Medical Board based on complaints filed by Operation Rescue and Project Defending Life. That case was related to a botched 35-week abortion that resulted in a life-threatening ruptured uterus. That patient can no longer bear children.
Robinson, Sella, and Carhart all worked for Kansas abortionist George Tiller, who was facing an eleven-count petition against his license brought by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts (based on an Operation Rescue complaint) at the time of his death in 2009.
“Our prayers are with this woman and those like her who will continue to be injured at Southwestern Women’s Options. Those in authority in New Mexico who continue to turn a blind eye to these bear direct responsibility due to their inaction,” said Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life.
“Today’s incident further emphasizes the dangers of late-term abortions that are being done in inadequately equipped outpatient clinics without proper monitoring by abortionists who have a long history of injuring women,” said Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor for Operation Rescue. “Late-term abortions are too dangerous to tolerate and it is past time to pass legislation that will ban this barbaric procedure for good.”
(Pictured above, Kristan Hawkins & Brendan O’Morchoe of Students For Life of America with us at SWO…We are shutting this place down!)
The Butterfly Effect of Abortion
As women leave the late-term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I ask them to tell the driver of a van that transports the women back and forth from their hotel to stop so they can receive a gift bag (or “Grace in a Bag”). The bag contains information for the women to consider both before and after their abortion and it also contains a gift for them (manicure kit, tissues, and cozy socks for her). This particular day, the driver did stop, but not to take information per the woman’s request, but to curse me out and yell at me. It struck me that abortion has a butterfly effect which impacts far more people than simply the child and the mother.
“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
This month Tara had several great opportunities to speak with state leaders, UNM Regents and other groups. On February 19th, Tara and three others sat down again with Governor Susana Martinez’s Chief of staff. Once again the plight of women in NM who are daily subjected to the horror of abortion was presented to this administration. From the Medical Board on down a pro-abortion bias remains prevalent in NM. It is our hope that our research and genuine concern for the safety of women will be acted upon by this administration. Governor Martinez said that’s she’s pro-life and we are determined to hold her to that.
Two UNM Regents agreed to meet with about 10 people from the community who are concerned about UNM’s abortion agenda. We handed over a list of serious questions that the taxpayers of NM deserve to have answered. We are still awaiting the responses and truly hope that UNM will one day be a public learning institution that protects and preserves all life.
Our calendar for the month of March is full of additional important meeting with various people. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to be advocates for the women and children of NM.
Sidewalk Testimonies
Testimonies from Bud:
This month at late-term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), an angry, hostile guy got out of his truck with his wife and rushed over to us and started cussing us out and threatening us with violence. I immediately told him to back off and that he was being recorded and that he would spend the night in jail if he didn’t walk away! He spouted off some more threats and backed off and strutted into the late-term abortion clinic, SWO. I don’t know why this irked me so much (I’m not sure that my intentions were 100% purely motivated) but I just didn’t like the thought of this guy coming back out after we had left and having the satisfaction of seeing us gone and thinking that he intimidated us away and bullied us off…so I stuck around for an extra 2 hours and waited! (FYI the last thing you want to do is upset an activist, because you then become our #1 priority!) I also wanted to see if it was possible to have an intelligent and productive conversation with this guy. Well two hours later he came out to smoke a cigarette and we did actually have a 20 minute intelligent and productive conversation…the seemingly impossible 2 hours before was possible 2 hours later! These are the victories we witness out on a sidewalk…Oh yeah, because I stuck around for two extra hours a girl who had come for an abortion left the abortion clinic and came over to tell us that God used our presence and the presence of a child in the abortion clinic to answer her prayer and convince her not to have an abortion! She was so excited and relieved…And we were able to pray with her! I was also able to pray with a woman after her abortion and weep with her! Wow, what a day- God’s Word really is living and active! This day’s interactions with people out at a late-term abortion clinic just breathed new life into the Scripture: Romans Chapter 12 (the whole chapter!) “Love must be sincere…Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn…Do not repay anyone evil for evil…”
A mother who is 8 months pregnant came to the late-term abortion clinic, 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 but the city on the sidewalk! Surrounded by 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!
Testimony from Tara:
A woman who works in the same strip mall as the UNM abortion clinic brought her friend from Mexico who is 7 months pregnant to the UNM abortion clinic this month, for an ultrasound. While this woman desperately wanted to see her baby via ultrasound, the clinic demanded $200 and sent her away. Thankfully we were present outside and able to provide a life affirming alternative to not only the substandard care of a (publicly funded, via our tax dollars!)
abortion clinic, but also the greediness that leads abortion clinics to open in the first place. It’s clear that these places of death aren’t concerned about helping women embrace their true femininity when all of their supposed healthcare options cost a small fortune. We are determined to care for all women, no matter what their status in life is or how much money they have, our service and love is FREE!
Testimony from sidewalk counselor, Jennifer Bresett– February 27th
The late term abortion clinic is not a place you ever get “used to”. Each time I’m there, the experience on the sidewalk is different from the time before. Some victories…many defeats. But in those moments, never have I thought, ” I just wasted my day here.” God always teaches me something each time I’m there. I love that about Him.
Yesterday, it was the first time I had gone to the clinic in a couple of weeks due to sickness. Honestly, I was nervous to go. The words of my prayer as I approached the clinic were, “Ok God…I’m here now. Use me as you can and it would be awesome if EVEN ONE baby was saved today. AMEN”. No sooner did I cross the street, two young ladies walked out of the clinic. You never know the response you’ll get, but I went ahead and said “Good morning” to the ladies and they both surprisingly said good morning back. I continued to tell them we are here for them and if they needed anything, we would love to help. One of the two girls walked to me and said, “I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t kill my baby.” I was ecstatic!! I assured her she did the one thing she would never regret and encouraged her for making the more COURAGEOUS choice of choosing LIFE! I gave her a gift bag filled with fun things for her and valuable information about her baby with resources of ways we could help should she ever need it. We hugged each other and she got in her car with a sweet smile that I will never forget. THANK YOU LORD!! Not long after this, another sidewalk counselor, Donna Rendon, and myself, watched as a young girl, maybe 16, and her mother got out of their car. I said good morning to them and let them know we were there to help. And that she could see her baby on an ultrasound before she went through with aborting her child. They said nothing and went in the clinic. About an hour later, both mom and daughter came out. We again said we were there to help her. The mother proceeded to the car while the young 16 year old came to us with tears in her eyes. She said, “I almost did something bad, but I didn’t.” We were ecstatic!! We assured her she did the right thing. We explained to her that we know it’ll be tough to be a young mom, but we were here to support her in any way and at any time. We gave her a gift bag filled with resources. The part I loved the most was when we were able to pray with her and for her. We were able to share the love of Christ with her. Yesterday, God reminded me of several things. #1: Time is never wasted when you are obedient to serving Him. #2: God blesses us when we choose to serve, thus I was able to witness 2 lives saved! A true blessing I will never forget. #3. Our young girls need us there for them! The world preaches to them to “satisfy their selfishness” by taking the easy way out (which isn’t so easy) and to listen to the people who pressure them to do something they don’t want to do. When we say we are here to help you, we better mean it! Actions speak louder than words. Our love for them needs to be louder than the world’s lies to them. All this to say that yesterday was a good day!
Albuquerque, NM- Late-Term Abortion Capital:
The couple in this truck came from Montana and the family in the black Expedition (in the background) came all the way from Wisconsin! How is it that we can get people from all over the country to come to SWO and participate in unspeakable evil but we can’t get the Albuquerque church to participate in ministry and lift up Christ in one of the darkest places in our country? Church this is what you were created, empowered and are needed for!
“Due to the lack of abortion regulations, Curtis Boyd decided to market late-term abortions here in Albuquerque, NM and is drawing women from all across North America. We have seen cars from Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, California, Washington, Kansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina, North Dakota, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, New York, and Mexico. In addition, Bud has spoken to women who came from Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and a woman contacted us via e-mail…she was making plans to come here from the United Kingdom until she came across the website www.lateterm.com and contacted Tara! Albuquerque, New Mexico is now known as the Late-Term Abortion Capital of the World!”
By Bud Shaver(This post originally appeared at standforlife.net)
As women leave the late-term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I ask them to tell the driver of a van that transports the women back and forth from their hotel to stop so they can receive a gift bag (or “Grace in a Bag”). The bag contains information for the women to consider both before and after their abortion and it also contains a gift for them (manicure kit, tissues, and cozy socks for her). This particular day, the driver did stop, but not to take information per the woman’s request, but to curse me out and yell at me. It struck me that abortion has a butterfly effect which impacts far more people than simply the child and the mother.
“In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where a small change at one place in a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. The name of the effect, coined by Edward Lorenz, is derived from the theoretical example of a hurricane’s formation being contingent on whether or not a distant butterfly had flapped its wings several weeks before.”
The chaos that is created when a woman makes the choice to have an abortion leaves many destroyed lives in the wake. If you consider that since the “Roe vs. Wade” ruling in 1973 there have been an estimated 55,000,000 children’s lives forever destroyed. Let’s add 55,000,000 mothers, 55,000,000 fathers, 55,000,000 grandmothers, 55,000,000 grandfathers, 55,000,000 siblings, aunts, uncles, and as it struck me today drivers and friends…these individuals alone total 550,000,000! Abortion is the hurricane that is ravaging not just children and women, but our entire nation!
The butterfly effect of abortion may be impossible to quantify. However, if you step out in faith and compassionately strive to end even just one abortion, there is hope for the alternative best articulated by the following Jewish saying, “When you save one life it is as if you saved the entire world.” We all have the ability and the responsibility to put a stop to all this chaos! That is why it is so vitally important to take a stand for life today.
We often simply think about the woman and her choice to have an abortion. However, we all have a choice to make as we are confronted with and impacted by abortion. That driver of the van made a choice and contributed to the chaos. My prayer is that more people will choose to allow God to use them to calm this raging storm and end abortion one child, one woman, one day at a time!
Albuquerque NM- The day after the New Mexico Medical Board ruled to dismiss charges against late term abortionist Shelley Sella, the next item of business on the agenda was to create a task force to amend Board Regulations on Complaint Procedures. This is a direct attempt by a radically motivated pro-abortion Medical Board to prevent future investigations into the practices of unregulated abortionists in the state.
Since 2010 the New Mexico Medical Board has done nothing less than try to cover for Albuquerque abortionists who are injuring women at staggering rate. Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life filed medical board complaints against abortionists at both Southwestern Women’s Options and UNM Center for Reproductive Health abortion clinics after documenting 14 abortion injuries through a public records request. Lynn Hart, Executive Director of the NMMB immediately met these complaints with resistance based on the complaint filer being Pro-Life, instead of the merit of the complaint.
Just last month a medical board complaint that was filed against Shauna Jamison and Richard Adams by Tara Shaver, was returned in its original form with a letter stating the Board’s refusal to investigate. Their reasons for refusal were that Tara Shaver did not know the patient and that the board doesn’t investigate based on malpractice suits. This is a bit inconsistent since the Board already has mandatory access to all malpractice actions against providers under their jurisdiction. See NMCA 16.10.10.8. To have the patient file a complaint would be redundant. Planned Parenthood abortionists, Jamison and Adams, perforated a woman’s bowel during a tubal ligation in May 2011, and then a mere seven months later the woman became pregnant. This woman is currently suing Jamison and Adams for medical negligence, yet the Board is refusing to investigate this preventable injury simply because up to that point the patient had not filed a complaint on her own accord.
The NMMB was created by statute “[i]n the interest of public health, safety and welfare and to protect the public from the improper, unprofessional, incompetent and unlawful practice of medicine.” NMSA 1978 §61-6-1 (emphasis added). The Board is not a haven for injured or unhappy patients; it exists to protect the public (and not individual patients) from incompetent, unprofessional, or unethical health care providers to limit the Board’s investigative powers to only those complaints filed by patients.
The refusal to investigate abortionists is a deliberate attempt by the Board to shirk its duty and is an administrative undermining of the duty entrusted to it by the legislature – to protect the public. The boards prejudice is based on the never ending pro-abortion mentality that has engulfed this state. The danger facing the women of New Mexico is being deliberately ignored by public safety agencies in a concentrated effort to prevent any regulation of abortion. All of this effort is a direct way for the New Mexico Medical Board to prevent investigations of abortionists who they believe are above regulation.
Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Project Defending Life issued the following statement, “I am calling upon Governor Susana Martinez to correct the agencies under her control and instruct them to perform the duties with which they were entrusted. Until this happens women will continue to be subjected to substandard care and the NMMB will continue to keep the general public’s interest below their own and continue to endanger the lives of all.”
The New Mexico Medical Board made a ruling today that places the safety of women in New Mexico at risk by dismissing the case against late-term abortionist Shelley Sella without discipline after she botched a 35-week abortion that resulted in a ruptured uterus and the inability of her patient to bear future children. Sella’s lawyer recused one of the Pro-Life Doctor’s who was on the Board and two other Pro-Life Doctor’s recused themselves!
After the ruling Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life issued the following statement to the press:
Today I am thankful for the process that led up to this decision. It is so incredibly important for the public to know that there is a system in place that addresses concerns that arise from the medical community. All I have asked from the medical board from the beginning was to be objective and to investigate all of the facts in this case.
I am disappointed but not surprised by this decision due to the fact that there is no standard of care currently in New Mexico for abortion clinics.
It is evident from the recent medical board hearing testimony that abortionists make up the rules as they go and set their own standards. Women deserve better than the substandard care they are currently receiving inside of NM abortion clinics. While the NMMB only has jurisdiction over the licensure of Medical Doctor’s and Physician Assistant’s this hearing has brought out the fact that late term abortionists in Albuquerque are violating the NM criminal abortion statute (NMSA 1978 § 30-5-3). This statute states that the practice of late term abortion outside of an accredited hospital is illegal. Violating this statute leads to the types of injuries the woman in this case endured.
The women of NM are calling on District Attorney Brandenburg to enforce this statute in order to protect them from potentially life threatening abortion complications. This statute must be enforced to ensure that dangerous 3rd trimester abortions will not continue to be obtained outside of a hospital setting. These facts would have never been brought to light apart from this medical board investigation.
Call District Attorney Kari Brandenburg
(505) 841-7100
Respectfully ask her to enforce NMSA 1978 § 30-5-3, the criminal abortion statute requiring late term procedures to be performed in hospitals.
This January marked the 40th year of legalized abortion in America. While all around us we can see that the side for life is winning, there is still much to be done. We are thankful to serve God in full time pro-life ministry because we know that abortion grieves His heart, forever wounds women and kills babies. Thanks for making our work possible through the powerful and effective prayers of the righteous, your encouragement and financial support!
That being said we had a very busy month. It got started by our first television debut on a New Mexico Christian station. The show was titled, “God Answers Prayer,” and we were allowed to share with those watching how God has moved us into this ministry and how we have been changed as a result. God answered our prayer 5 years ago when we asked him to help us not be apathetic in the face of injustice. We made a commitment to Him and He has remained faithful through the ups and downs of ministry, raising children and growing in our marriage. Please join us this year as we strive to focus more on prayer. We are amazed at what God has done here in New Mexico, what He has plans to do and how we can simply be a small part of His purpose.
This year’s annual Sanctity of Life and Unity Awareness Day in Santa Fe, people came from all across the state to the Capitol to be a witness for Life.
Sanctity of Life Sunday
Bud and I were graciously asked to speak to the youth a St. Therese Parish in Albuquerque on Jan. 20th. After our talk about 50 people prayed in front of the church to be a witness for life in their own community. It is such a privilege to be able to educate the next generation in hopes that they will have a passion for human life and work to bring an end to the injustice of abortion. There’s no better place to educate young people than in their church, unfortunately not all churches are as welcoming. Let’s pray that this year we will see more churches of all denominations become actively pro-life.
Testifying at the Capitol
On January 31st, ( I ) Tara was asked to go to the NM Legislature to testify concerning a bill titled, “A Woman’s Right to Know.” This bill is an informational bill that doesn’t restrict abortion in any way, it simply provides abortion bound women with information to ensure that they know all the facts surrounding abortion. However, even though it doesn’t restrict abortion in any way, those who are pro-abortion vehemently opposed it. I must say that I wasn’t very familiar with the process of going before a committee to testify in hopes that the bill would then leave the committee and go to a vote. I knew that the committee overseeing and ultimately deciding whether the bill would move forward or not was lopsided, being made up of 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans. Each legislative session pro-life bills go before this lopsided committee and are never allowed to be voted on by the Representatives who vote for the people of New Mexico.
On this day I entered the gauntlet surrounded by those who oppose life and promote death through abortion at all costs. This was to be expected, but what was the most discouraging was that those on the committee who decide one way or the other came into the room with their minds made up about the bill. They refused to listen to reason and ultimately refused to protect women who deserve to know exactly what abortion means for them now and in the future should they decide to kill their babies. I am so disgusted that those who represent the people (or are supposed to) are completely clueless as to what is happening in this state, i.e. abortion injuries, medical board hearings, medical malpractice suits against abortionists, unregulated abortion clinics, etc, etc.
It is more clear now than ever that to rely solely on politicians and the political process is not the most productive use of our time in New Mexico. We, through God’s grace and hard work are seeing more accomplished by being faithful at abortion clinics, documenting abortion abuses and ultimately holding those in authority accountable to the never ending shedding of innocent blood in our state. It’s time for the people to represent themselves and become an active member of abolishing abortion one woman, one child, one day at a time.
(We’re thankful to Operation Rescue for equipping us and continuing to work with us here in NM to effectively expose what is happening behind the closed doors of abortion clinics. Read the latest update below regarding the 35 week abortion injury that resulted in a NM Medical Board hearing last November. Please pray about the upcoming Medical Board decision regarding this late term abortionists license on February 7, 2013.)
New Docs Reveal Horrific Details of Botched 35-Week Abortion, Gross Negligence in NM Disciplinary Case
By, Cheryl Sullenger
New documents, including transcripts of a Medical Board disciplinary hearing held in November, 2012, indicate that late-term abortionist Shelley Sella committed four acts of gross negligence during a 35-week abortion on a woman with a history of previous Cesarean Section that resulted in a ruptured uterus.
The documents were released recently by the New Mexico Medical Board in response to an open records request made by Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life. Both Mrs. Shaver and Operation Rescue had filed the original complaints with the NMMB after receiving a 911 recording of a medical emergency that took place at Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque, on May 12, 2012. The records also show that it is the position of Sella and her attorney, Joseph Goldberg, that the complaints should not have been considered by the Board due to the fact that pro-life activists filed them.
The NMMB plans to issue a formal “Decision and Order” on the case against Sella on February 7, 2013. Possible discipline ranges from public censure to license revocation.
Also on the agenda is the appointment of a Task Force to amend Board regulations on Complaint Procedures.
“The New Mexico Medical Board should be thanking us for filing these complaints, not devising ways to cut us out of the complaint process based on our deeply held convictions,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation. “We have uncovered an extremely dangerous abortion practice taking place on a weekly basis that is seriously endangering the lives and health of women. Instead of criticizing us for bringing this to the attention of the Board, they should be grateful that we uncovered the violations during dangerous late-term abortions that fall well below the standard of care.” Read the full report here
“Seek the well being of the city to which I have sent you. Pray for it to the Lord. For in seeking its well being you shall find your own.“ Jeremiah 29:7
Please Pray :
~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.
Albuquerque, NM – New documents, including transcripts of a Medical Board disciplinary hearing held in November, 2012, indicate that late-term abortionist Shelley Sella committed four acts of gross negligence during a 35-week abortion on a woman with a history of previous Cesarean Section that resulted in a ruptured uterus.
The documents were released recently by the New Mexico Medical Board in response to an open records request made by Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life. Both Mrs. Shaver and Operation Rescue had filed the original complaints with the NMMB after receiving a 911 recording of a medical emergency that took place at Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque, on May 12, 2011. The records also show that it is the position of Sella and her attorney, Joseph Goldberg, that the complaints should not have been considered by the Board due to the fact that pro-life activists filed them.
The NMMB plans to issue a formal “Decision and Order” on the case against Sella on February 7, 2013. Possible discipline ranges from public censure to license revocation.
Also on the agenda is the appointment of a Task Force to amend Board regulations on Complaint Procedures.
Listen to the actual 911 Call
“The New Mexico Medical Board should be thanking us for filing these complaints, not devising ways to cut us out of the complaint process based on our deeply held convictions,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue and Pro-Life Nation. “We have uncovered an extremely dangerous abortion practice taking place on a weekly basis that is seriously endangering the lives and health of women. Instead of criticizing us for bringing this to the attention of the Board, they should be grateful that we uncovered the violations during dangerous late-term abortions that fall well below the standard of care.”
Gross negligence
After hearing two days of testimony from Sella and two expert witnesses before Hearing Officer David K. Thompson, Administrative Prosecutor Daniel Rubin has recommended that Sella be disciplined for “gross negligence” for breaching the standard of care during her treatment of a patient referred to as “ML”. Those four breaches included:
Administering Misoprostol, a uterine contracting agent, during a “trial of labor after cesarean” or TOLAC.
Sent M.L. to a hotel where she could not be monitored after administering misoprostol.
Administered Misoprostol and Pitocin, another uterine contracting agent, simultaneously.
Attempted to abort ML’s fetus in a clinic rather than a hospital.
“The Respondent [Sella] was well aware of the risks of uterine rupture associated with her treatment of M.L., but willfully ignored such risks,” wrote Rubin in his Closing Arguments and Proposed Finding of Fact, dated January 4, 2013.
National implications
The case has national implications and could affect ability of abortionists to continue doing risky third trimester abortion in “stand-alone clinics” using a drug that is known to cause unpredictable and often powerful contractions.
Disturbingly, Sella worried, (as if it was unthinkable), that women with previous C-sections “would be forced to carry a pregnancy to term,” should there be an adverse ruling.
“It is possible that this case will set a new standard of care for third-trimester abortions, which those currently doing this barbaric procedure cannot meet. The implications are huge,” said Newman.
Currently, there are no set national standards for third trimester abortions that are currently being done in four “stand alone” clinics throughout the United States. Abortionists that admit to doing the procedures, in addition to Sella and her New Mexico associate Susan Robinson, are Lee Carhart in Germantown, Maryland; Warren Hern in Boulder, Colorado; and Josepha Seletz in Los Angeles, California. Sella told the Board that she is currently training Carmen Landau to do third trimester abortions in Albuquerque.
Misoprostol poses risks of rupture
The case began when ML, a 26-year old woman with a history of a previous cesarean section delivery, traveled to Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for an abortion of her pre-born baby at 35 weeks gestation. Her New York physician recommended the abortion after the baby was diagnosed with an abnormally large head and brain. The baby’s head was estimated to be the size of a baby at 40 weeks. Sella agreed to do the abortion on the basis of the fetal anomaly and the supposed distraught mindset of the patient.
Sella argued strenuously that obstetric standards and warnings issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists simply did not apply to abortions. ACOG does not support the trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) in a non-hospital setting and prohibits the use of Misprostol to induce or augment labor in women with histories of previous cesarean deliveries.
Misoprostol, also known as Cytotec, was originally developed to treat stomach ulcers but was later discovered to have the unfortunate side effect of initiating uterine contractions in pregnant women. Misoprostol use in abortion is unpredictable and can cause intense uterine contractions.
Despite the risks, Misoprostol is used in two ways during a third trimester abortion. First it is administered vaginally to “ripen” the cervix and prepare it for the delivery of the dead baby. Secondly, it is administered buccally (between the cheek and jaw) to induce or augment labor.
Women who have had previous C-Section deliveries like ML are at greater risk for uterine rupture during labor. Misoprostol dramatically increases that risk and that is why ACOG considers it to be too dangerous to use on these women.
The Tiller Protocols
Sella claimed that protocols developed by Wichita abortionist George Tiller should be used for the standard of care for third trimester abortions rather than the tougher obstetrical, ACOG standards.
However, Dr. Gerald L. Bullock, an expert for the Board, testified that obstetrical standards are appropriate because there is essentially no difference between the procedure used in a third trimester abortion and an instance of a women in her third trimester whose baby has spontaneously died in the womb. Obstetrical standards are the unquestioned standard in the latter circumstance.
Sella learned to do the third trimester abortion procedure from the late George Tiller. Sella testified that she worked for Tiller at his infamous late-term abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas, from 2002 until his death in 2009. Tiller developed the controversial abortion process and was considered the national authority on third trimester abortions.
Not mentioned in the Sella disciplinary proceedings was the fact that Tiller faced an 11-count petition for illegal late-term abortions brought by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts that would likely have cost him his medical license, had he lived.
Another Tiller associate that also worked with Sella in Wichita, Ann Kristin Neuhaus, had her medical license revoked last year on a nearly identical petition. Both the Neuhaus and Tiller actions were based on complaints filed by Operation Rescue.
Sella testified that she uses the Tiller protocols in third-trimester abortions as do all other abortionists that do these grisly procedures, which are opposed by nearly 90% of Americans.
The testimony at Sella’s November disciplinary hearing revealed a time-line of events that led to ML’s uterine rupture and subsequent transfer to UNM hospital for emergency surgery. It paints a graphic picture of what can go wrong when abortionists consider themselves exempt from accepted medical standards.
May 10, 2011
On the morning of May 10, 2011, ML arrived at Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) in Albuquerque for her first appointment. ML has been interviewed by a telephone “counselor”– likely an unlicensed and unqualified clinic worker — who took information about her state of mind and medical history – including her history of previous cesarean section – and relayed it to Sella and her associate, Susan Robinson, who also does third-trimester abortions at SWO. The two consulted and agreed that ML was a good candidate for the Induction abortion used at SWO.
On the day of ML’s arrival, Sella initiated “fetal demise” by vaginally injecting Digoxin into ML’s fetus. This drug stops the baby’s heart. After an ultrasound confirmed that the baby was dead, the patient’s cervix was packed with laminaria, which are seaweed sticks that slowly expand and dilate the cervix in preparation for labor and delivery. Sella then administered 100 micrograms of Mispropstol vaginally for the purpose of “softening the cervix.”
Dr. Bullock testified on behalf of the prosecution that the standard dosage of Misoprostol generally used for induction of labor is 50 micrograms, half of the dosage given by Sella when there was no intention of inducing labor. Afterwards, ML was sent to her hotel where no monitoring of her condition occurred. Dr. Bullock considered this a serious breech in the standard of care.
Sella testified that she intended to use the frequent dosing of Misoprostol along with numerous laminaria insertions and removals to prepare ML’s cervix for labor induction on the fourth day. Sella denied that she was inducing labor by administering Misoprostol vaginally on the first day.
To that, Dr. Bullock responded, “Well, yeah, I would agree that she probably intended to soften the cervix, but whether you intend to induce labor or not, that is what it did, and the lady came back in the second day in the late evening in active labor, and you can’t call that spontaneous labor, and you can’t call that spontaneous labor. This was Misoprostol induced labor. If the lady had stayed at home and hadn’t been at the clinic, she would have never gone into labor that day.”
Water breaks
On the second day, May 11, ML returned to the clinic in the morning. Sella changed out her laminaria, gave her another dose of Misprostol, and again sent her back to her hotel with instructions to take yet another dose of the drug at 3:00 pm. ML took the drug as instructed.
At about 5:00 pm that same day, ML returned to the clinic for another laminaria change and Misoprostol dose. However, while Sella was inserting new laminaria, she inadvertently broke her bag of water.
While it is unknown exactly when ML’s contractions began, Dr. Bullock testified that this incident likely stimulated the onset of labor. In fact, there was great debate from expert witnesses about the times and dosages of Mispropstol and other medications administered to ML due to confusing medical records kept by the clinic, including some inaccurately recorded dosage times.
The onset of labor prompted ML report back to the clinic for a third time on May 11, the second day of the process, near the midnight hour. Sella was forced to scrap her plan to begin labor on the fourth day of the abortion and took steps to manage ML’s labor in preparation for an early delivery.
The final day
At shortly after midnight on May 12, Sella checked the progress of ML’s cervical dilation and again administered Misoprostol. At the same time, Sella began to give her patient Pitocin, another uterine stimulant that is not supposed to be used simultaneously with Misoprostol.
It is estimated that the Misoprostol was in ML’s system along with the Pitocin for 3½ hours. Meanwhile, ML was given pain medication, sedated, and placed in the gurney room. She was supposed to sleep through the night in mild labor and be checked for progress again around 7 am. There was never any testimony concerning how well ML actually did through the night or what her pain/comfort level was during this ordeal.
The large size of the baby’s head created an increased risk of uterine rupture, a fact was apparently ignored by Sella, as noted in the Board documents. ML had received a lower transverse incision during the surgical delivery of a previous child. That incision type is supposed to be less likely to rupture that the classical vertical incision, but even so, that did not prevent the Sella’s reckless practices from inflicting harm.
In the morning of May 12, Sella removed the laminaria and checked ML’s cervix. Sella had intended to collapse the skull in order to make it smaller and easier to deliver. However, she could no longer feel the baby’s head as she had expected. She conducted an ultrasound and discovered that the baby was now lying sideways in the womb. At that moment, she suspected that the uterus had ruptured.
Sella had an office worker call 911 and request an emergency transport for ML to UNM. Since Sella has no hospital privileges, she had to call one of three abortionists from the UNM Center for Reproductive Health, a stand-alone abortion clinic affiliated with the UNM Medical Center, to treat ML at the hospital. But those abortionists have problems of their own. Several 911 calls placed from the UNMRHC that have been obtained by Project Defending Life and Operation Rescue indicate a regular pattern of botched abortions at that facility as well.
A 7.5 pound baby?
It took 24 minutes from the time 911 was called for ML to arrive at the emergency room.
Once there, ML was rushed into surgery where her dead baby was removed and her uterus repaired. A unknown hospital physician noted on her chart that the baby weighed 7.5 pounds. Sella vigorously disputed that assessment. She opined that the baby was never weighed and that ultrasound measurements placed the baby’s weight at 5 pounds, 13 ounces. We may never know the truth.
“There is little difference if the baby weighed 7.5 pounds or just under 6 pounds. This was a baby that was the size of many full term babies. The entire revolting discussion on the record attempting to justify this is completely barbaric,” said Newman.
“A thousand wonders”
Dr. Bullock noted that the rupture occurred when the baby’s over-sized head came down and stretched the c-section scar, where the uterus was weak. The head broke through the scar and tore the uterus, forcing the baby – at least partially – into the woman’s abdominal cavity.
“Well, you know, everybody was really lucky this time, because quite often, particularly the way this rupture went, it was a thousand wonders that it didn’t extend another centimeter into the uterine arteries, which would have had a horrendous bleeding episode if that had happened,” he said.
Dr. Bullock described ML’s injuries and the harm done to her:
“Yes, the understood harm is going to be another cesarean, a scar that went caddywhompus, the scar that went crossways…all the way down to the cervix, which will make it more hazardous. In fact, one of the doctors at UNM said that she should not get pregnant again.”
Rules written in blood
The written Closing Argument document submitted by Board prosecutor Daniel Rubin states that no specific national standard exists with respect to late-term abortions and that obstetrical standards should be applied in this case.
“In other words, these late-term abortionists just make things up as they go along,” noted Newman. “According to Sella’s own testimony as well as her expert witness, Phillip Darney – himself an admitted late-term abortionist – all third-trimester abortionists are engaging in horrifically dangerous procedures with drugs that should not even be used in settings where there is no access to immediate emergency care. Yet, they continue to insist that the higher obstetrical standards should not apply to them. But each one of those rules in written in blood. ACOG and other standards prohibit the conduct that Sella engaged in because at some point, someone died from similar circumstances.”
Defense expert’s vested interest
Darney is the head of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health at the University of California San Francisco. This is the same organization that is training non-physicians to do abortions. The training program made news last when a California lawmaker proposed changing the law to allow these non-physicians to do abortions without the supervision of licensed doctors.
Darney had every reason to speak favorably about Sella’s third-trimester abortion protocols. He admits that he does abortions at the Women’s Option Center in San Francisco General Hospital and that some of those abortions are in the third trimester. Darney’s organization also as established a training program through the University of New Mexico that uses Sella and Southwestern Women’s Options as a training facility for abortionists in his program.
Shadowy world of regulatory gaps
In the end, ML’s unfortunate experience has revealed a shadowy world of regulatory gaps where abortionists make up their own rules. In the abortionist’s world, time-tested standards of care simply do not apply. They simply make up their own. This is a world where abortionists can subject women to dangerous practices that would not be tolerated in any other medical discipline, yet expect to be treated like they walk on water.
By filing these complaints, Project Defending Life and Operation Rescue have attempted to close those gaps and return the abortionists to the real world of medical accountability and ethics.
Abortionists often consider themselves a special class that is exempt from the mundane rules that apply to everyone else. That arrogant attitude is fed by liberal politicians and other pro-abortion society-influencers. Earlier this month, Sella was featured along with Robinson, Hern, and Carhart in a film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival called “After Tiller.” The four third-trimester abortionists were lionized and applauded for their bravery in providing abortions for which few have the stomach.
One has to wonder how much courage it really takes to kill a defenseless baby in the womb and inflict upon vulnerable women dangerous practices that fall well below national standards.
To illustrate this, one can imagine that on one hand, there is a 35-week pregnant woman with a history of c-section that hasn’t felt movement for awhile and is tragically informed that her baby has died in the womb. On the other hand, there are women like ML, who has her 35-week baby killed by an abortionist. At that moment, one might think that both women share a common circumstance, but nothing could be further from the truth.
The first woman will be treated according to the highest standards of medicine in order to protect her life, her health, and her future fertility, while women undergoing abortions are subjected to dangerous practices, prescribed drugs that endangered their lives, and as in ML’s case, robbed their ability to bear children.
“Sella was glowingly presented in her disciplinary hearing as an expert who was ‘well trained’ in third trimester abortions. If this is the best abortionists have to offer, it just isn’t good enough,” said Newman. “We cannot and will not stand idly by while women are abused by the reckless indifference of the abortion cartel. We will continue to hold abortionists accountable for their negligence, just as we have endeavored to do with Sella. As far as the Board’s highly anticipated decision goes concerning her professional fate, we are simply praying for justice.”
Albuquerque, NM- Today marks the 40th year of legalized abortion in America. Abortion on demand in America has taken the lives of over 55 million innocent children and has forever wounded their mothers. As a nation we mourn this loss, but we also hope for and work toward the protection of the pre-born in the womb. New Mexico protects none of its pre-born children in the womb, but today there is reason to hope that this will change.
Members of Project Defending Life met with several New Mexico Legislators on January 16th to bring light to the current abortion crisis in the state. Vital information was presented to them that has been obtained through research and experience of interacting with individuals every day entering Albuquerque abortion clinics. These State leaders were encouraged to establish a relevant strategy to address the fact that New Mexico is one of 10 states without any common sense laws regarding abortion.
“The fact remains that if the laws in New Mexico were just 1% Pro-Life, that would be better than what the laws currently are: 100% Pro-Abortion. That 1% would not be compromise, it would be progress,” stated Bud Shaver spokesperson for Project Defending Life.
Representative Alonzo Baldonado from Valencia County will be introducing a parental notification bill on this 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This bill will require that a parent is notified when a pregnant girl under the age of 16 is seeking an abortion.
Representative Baldonado issued the following statement: “It is important that supporters of life and parent rights realize that in New Mexico there are no requirements for abortion providers to inform the parents of young women that their daughter is seeking an abortion. This bill will give the parents of these young women the opportunity to open discussions with their daughter before a life changing event such as abortion takes place. In previous legislative sessions I have run a similar bill that has died in committees, with the changes we have made we are hopeful that the bill has a chance.”
Curtis Boyd, who is a former back alley abortionist, owns and operates Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, NM. He also owns two abortion clinics in Texas and has openly admitted to performing abortions on girls as young as nine years old. Each week as volunteers pray and offer assistance to women entering abortion clinics in Albuquerque it is a trend to witness and speak with girls as young as 15 who are coming to NM, some to evade their own states parental notification laws and others for late term abortions that are illegal in their state. We owe it to these young girls to provide them protection in New Mexico from sexual predators and we also need the most basic common sense legislation enacted to protect the parent-child relationship. Representative Baldonado’s bill is a step in the right direction to begin building a culture of life in New Mexico.
“It is time for our pro-life Governor, Susana Martinez to lead us in passing pro-life legislation and other initiatives. We need her public support and I encourage our wonderful pro-life legislators to publicly ask for the Governor’s help and support in these initiatives,” stated Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Director of Project Defending Life.
With the start of the new legislative session the need for unity among the pro-life community is vitally important. Project Defending Life is committed to supporting pro-life legislator’s efforts to save even one woman and her child from the devastating effects of abortion.
New Mexico is the “Late Term Abortion Capital of the Country” and is the abortion capital of the Southwest. Every week, women come from all across the world to Albuquerque to obtain dangerous and risky late term abortions through all nine months of pregnancy.
New Mexico law criminalizes the practice of late term abortions that are performed outside of hospitals. However, this law is not being enforced, leaving women to suffer at the hands of unregulated abortionists. New Mexico is also one of 10 states that have no common sense laws such as parental notification, informed consent or any gestational restrictions on abortion. Abortion clinics in New Mexico are under regulated and the surgical portion of each clinic is not currently being inspected by the NM Health Department-ever.
In 2011-12, Tara Shaver and Operation Rescue filed Medical Board complaints against the abortionists’ at all three abortion clinics in Albuquerque. These complaints were based on fourteen 911 calls that documented serious abortion injuries as well as a lawsuit filed against Planned Parenthood of NM. As a result, in November of 2012, late term abortionist Shelley Sella faced a Medical Board hearing after she violated the patient standard of care during a 35 week full term abortion in Albuquerque. Disciplinary action against her license is currently pending. Governor Martinez and Mayor Berry have been informed of these facts, yet abortion abuses still continue in Albuquerque.
The New Mexico Medical Board has most recently refused an investigation into a complication that took place at the Planned Parenthood surgical abortion center in Albuquerque. Lynn Hart, Executive Director of the New Mexico Medical Board and the Board itself has shown that they are unwilling to do what it takes to protect the public.
The University of New Mexico runs its own free standing abortion clinic in Albuquerque. This clinic is being used to train Resident students to perform abortions up to 22 weeks gestation. At least three women have endured serious injuries at this clinic. Tara Shaver and other pro-life advocates have met with UNM Board of Regents President Jack Fortner to bring awareness to all of the Regents about UNM’s abortion agenda. The Dean of the UNM School of Medicine Paul Roth is also fully aware of the danger the UNM abortion clinic poses to the public. None of these men have made an effort to bring about change at UNM and women’s lives continue to be in danger.
Late-Term Abortion facility Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque is harvesting aborted baby body parts for medical research.
In July 2015, Protest ABQ filed a formal criminal complaint with the Attorney General of New Mexico and two consent forms, one obtained by Pro-Life Witnessfrom 2012 and a newly obtained consent form, which was obtained by Protest ABQ, this year 2015 from Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) were submitted as proof of their using aborted baby body parts in medical research.
BREAKING: Southwestern Women’s Options is currently under criminal investigation by the New Mexico Attorney General for being the SOLE provider of baby body parts to the University of New Mexico for experimental research.
Albuquerque, NM — Last month Project Defending Life uncovered a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood of NM Action Fund (PPNM), abortionist Shauna Jamison, and Richard Adams MD. New Mexico Medical Board (NMMB) complaints were filed shortly thereafter against Jamison and Adams by Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life.
The lawsuit information against PPNM was released to the public by Project Defending Life to ensure that unsuspecting women seeking services at PPNM are fully informed of the risks posed by obtaining medical procedures at their facility. On August 29, 2011 a woman went to PPNM for a tubal ligation, she subsequently endured a perforated bowel and became pregnant 7 months later. Not only did she languish in agonizing pain for two days due to a preventable and potentially life-threatening injury, but she did not even receive the procedure for which she paid.
“It’s important that these physicians be held accountable by the powers that be, meaning the NMMB, to ensure that other women aren’t injured. It is also the responsibility of the NMMB to fully investigate all Medical Board complaints in the interest of public safety,” stated Fr. Stephen Imbarrato.
However, in a letter dated January 3, 2013 signed by NMMB Executive Director Lynn Hart, Shaver was informed that there would be no investigation into this woman’s injury. The complaints in their original form were returned to Shaver, which appears to violate the Board’s own policy of maintaining a record of all complaints that are filed.
“There’s no denying that a woman suffered a serious and preventable injury at Planned Parenthood, yet the NMMB has the audacity to refuse to even look into the matter,” said Mrs. Shaver. “This purposeful refusal to investigate reveals a callous disregard for women’s safety on the part of the NMMB.”
This New Mexico lawsuit is another example of a national trend of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics maiming women that inevitably end up in hospital emergency rooms. In recent months Planned Parenthood has proven to be more concerned with covering up their negligence than they are protecting their patients’ lives.
In July 2012, Tonya Reaves ended up at a Chicago, Illinois morgue after the Loop Health Center Planned Parenthood failed to alert 911 after an incomplete second trimester abortion that also included a uterine perforation. Reaves suffered through internal bleeding for 5 ½ hours instead of being rushed to the emergency room for care.
“The time has finally come for the women of America to throw off the myth that pro-abortion propaganda foists upon them, deceiving them to believe that they will receive any kind of quality healthcare from abortion doctors and clinics,” stated Bud Shaver spokesperson for Project Defending Life.
Previously, Project Defending Life submitted 14 complaints to the NMMB based on recordings of 911 calls placed from Albuquerque abortion clinics that indicated botched abortion patients were rushed to local hospitals suffering from life-threatening injuries. All but one was dismissed by the Board. The one that moved forward against late-term abortionist Shelley Sella involved a ruptured uterus during a late-term abortion at 35 weeks due to overuse of contraction-causing drugs. Even that case has proceeded under a cloak of secrecy, with the NMMB closing a disciplinary hearing that should have been open to the public.
Lynn Hart’s oversight as Executive Director has made the NMMB fully complicit in covering up for physicians who have a total disregard for the lives of the women who seek their services.
Because of the disturbing trend shown by the NMMB to ignore complaints involving abortionists, we are calling on the public to contact Lynn Hart and demand that the Board do their duty to investigate each complaint, including the one recently submitted against Planned Parenthood abortionists, in the interest of protecting the lives and health of women.
Contact Information for the New Mexico Medical Board:
This year marks the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion in America. Let’s stand together for life, be encouraged about all that has been accomplished recently in New Mexico, but also find out how you can be involved in helping to end abortion in our state. This event coincides with the start of the legislative session, so your presence is vital for sending a strong message to our legislators and Governor Martinez! (If no one turns out to this event that will also send a message to our legislators and the Governor…!)
Event will be held regardless of weather; Rain, Shine, Cold or Snow!
Wednesday, January 16th in Santa Fe
8:00 am – 11:00 am – Continental Breakfast (Crispin Hall behind Cathedral) 11:00 am
9:00 am – 11:00 am – Conference and Exhibits (Inn at Lorretto at 211 Old Santa Fe Trail) Conference speakers will be Bud and Tara Shaver and Trent Horn, hosted by Fr. Stephen Imbarrato (PDL)
Noon – 1:30 pm – Non-Denominational Prayer Service (Inn at Lorretto) Guest Speakers- Chris Donnelly of TVAC New Mexico and Pastor Robert Hall from Calvary Chapel of Rio Rancho
Noon – 1:30 pm – Catholic Mass con-celebrated by the 3 Bishops of NM (St Francis Basilica)
1:30 – 2:30 – Procession around Plaza to Roundhouse
2:30 – 3:00 – Rally at Roundhouse with bishops, pastors, and other speakers
3:00 – Visitation to Governor and Legislators’ offices in Roundhouse
There will be a Youth Event the evening before, Tuesday night January 15th. There will also be an all night adoration the night before the event at St Anne’s and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in Santa Fe and possibly the Cathedral.
This is a family event! Babies in strollers encouraged to join us!
Bring your own signs or signs will be available.
For more information and questions about the event, call Bud or Tara Shaver (505) 319-7825 or e-mail us: shavermissions@gmail.com
Free transportation in downtown Santa Fe is available using the Santa Fe Pick-Up shuttle service.
We are encouraging churches, parishes, schools, and organizations to book a bus for the event!
Bus Information:
Albuquerque to Santa Fe Charter Services:
Paradise Tours
877-0697
55 passenger and 27 passenger charters.
Herrera Coaches
242-1108
55 passenger and 44 passenger charters.
Follow the Sun
897-2886
55 passenger, 46 passenger and 33 passenger charters.
Total Charter Service
842-9663
55 passenger charters.
This year has gone by so fast, but so much has been accomplished! Thank you for your continued prayers and support during these past 2 years of ministry here in ABQ. God is truly blessing our efforts here!
God has truly been at work in New Mexico “Moving the Mountains” in 2012!
We are grateful for the work of Operation Rescue and the ministry at Project Defending Life. Your faithfulness and encouragement over the past two years has been a huge blessing!
We also want to thank Pastor Eric Lamb and everyone from Calvary Chapel of ABQ who have stepped up in a big way in 2012. We would also like to thank Monte Harms from Stand For Life!
Tara and I are looking forward to all that God has in store for New Mexico in the coming year!
~We continued to receive tips regarding abortion abuses taking place in Albuquerque abortion clinics and filed more complaints with the NM Medical Board.
We’re thankful to everyone who helped make this year a success. Glory be to God!
You can purchase a one of a kind gift, the Pro-Life Perpetual calendar, “The Day You Were Born” and your purchase helps us continue our life saving work!
This calendar features a precious local Albuquerque, NM baby for each month as well as a Pro-Life Bible verse! You can view the entire calendar at the link provided below. These will make great Pro-Life gifts and there are two ways to purchase them either by mail or securely online. Thanks for supporting our life saving ministry “Prayer and a Pro-Life Witness!”
Two years ago, Tara Shaver and I (Evangelicals) stepped out in faith to work with Project Defending Life (PDL) a Catholic Pro-Life Ministry in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Director of PDL, Fr. Stephen Imbarrato a Roman Catholic Priest took a step of faith as well! We are told in Scripture that you can tell by the fruit borne, what is of God! Over the past two years we can say with absolute certainty that God is definitely blessing our steps of faith!
Here is a short list of what God has accomplished in just two years in New Mexico:
Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, Director of Project Defending Life recently stated:
“Matthew 25:31-46: The Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats is based on how we treat the “least of my brethren.” We at Project Defending Life turn moms around at the abortion mill and take care of dozens of them each month… most are poor, many are homeless, almost all are imprisoned in their lives, are hungry and thirsty for some sense (value) in their lives. (Most do not know Jesus). They are strangers to us, but we take them in. They are naked in their condition and we try to cloth them with charity. And of course there is no one who is the “least of Christ’s brethren” in our culture than our brothers and sisters in the womb! So if you wish to be among the sheep when the King comes in His glory and sits on His throne…you may want to consider pro-life ministry! www.defendinglife.org Finally…take note of the parable immediately before the Judgment of the Sheep and the Goat! It is the parable of the Talents! What, my friends, are we doing with the graces that Jesus has given us! We can no longer say, “when did we see you, Lord?”
“Project Defending Life is the only pro-life ministry in the entire country that has regularly scheduled weekly Masses and Eucharistic processions to an abortion mill! Google Holy Innocents Chapel, Albuquerque.”
Tara and I have been blessed most over the past two years by having the opportunity to learn from those who are so faithful at Project Defending Life. I love their pure and sincere faith of trusting God. Light and darkness cannot coexist! By bringing Jesus literally to the abortion clinic, they are trusting that the light of Jesus will cast out all darkness and that this will result in Planned Parenthood closing its doors for good!
May we all be encouraged to live out our faith in such a way that God will receive all Glory and God’s will be accomplished today in our communities! May we all take bold steps of faith to do what we can to end abortion by stepping out with faith, hope, and love.
We have learned that ministry is simply planting seeds. Seeds of service, prayer, and conversation. These seeds take root and open a person’s heart to receiving the salvation that God provides. Sidewalk counseling has helped us realize this. Success can’t be determined by the number of lives saved, but by the opportunity to touch hearts, pray with these families, and pass on real help.
This is Grace and Love, in a bag!
This is the gift bag that we give to the women who come and go from the late-term abortion clinic Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) in Albuquerque, NM. Inside is info for PDL, Care Net, post abortion help, and the Aspen Project (for adoption assistance), etc. It also contains tissue, a manicure kit, and warm cozy socks all for the women. A special thanks to Jennifer Bresett for making these.
The Greatest of These Is…Love
You never know what to expect on any given day, this month, Tara received two unique calls on the same day. One was from an active duty Albuquerque, Detective and the other was from a Sidewalk Counselor in San Diego, California.
~We continued to receive tips regarding abortion abuses taking place in Albuquerque abortion clinics and filed more complaints with the NM Medical Board.
We’re thankful to everyone who helped make this year a success. Glory be to God!
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6
We appreciate all of the prayers lifted up on our behalf this past year. We are also so grateful for all of the encouragement and support we have received that has kept us going. Thanks for partnering with us to save lives and further the kingdom of God.
Here is our prayer request list, we know that God is going to do even more than we can imagine this year.
Please pray…
~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.
We are full-time Pro-Life Missionaries and raise our own support from individuals who have a heart for our life saving work! Your generous support makes our work possible!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support during these past 2 years of ministry here in ABQ. God is truly blessing our efforts here! We still have Pro-Life calendars available for purchase to support our ministry. These calendars were specially designed by a dear friend of ours to remind us how precious life is. It is a perpetual calendar to write in all of those special dates like birthdays, anniversaries and special events. Each month also features the picture of a beautiful ABQ newborn baby and a pro-life scripture. You will love owning this calendar and it also makes a great gift.
This also appeared in the New Mexico Breeze titled, “Faithful in Defending Life.”
This article was written by a UNM student for one of her classes where her assignment was to highlight an individual. A faithful volunteer and good friend of ours recommended that she focus on Bud Shaver. Even though she encountered criticism and animosity at times from her teacher and from abortion clinic workers, she persevered. We commend her for sticking it out. It is not easy to stand for Christian values in the UNM environment.
The following is first her assessment of the difficulties she encountered and then her paper about Bud. Thank you Tanya for your perseverance and doing a great job highlighting the work we do.
“I had my article returned to me about four times to revise and got a lot of criticism for writing it. At first it was hard to make my teacher believe the facts so I had to do a lot of research to prove to him what I had was fact. Honestly, the doctor’s assistant had treated me so bad at first that I almost completely lost confidence and didn’t feel so good about it anymore. I wasn’t used to it. This is the very first article I have attempted to write since high school in 2004, and this article and issue is very real. I began to wonder if it belonged in my hands. I had absolutely no knowledge of anything having to do with abortion before this. It was A LOT to take in, and I got a lot of criticism and dealt with some mean people.”
Faithful in Defending Life: Rain or Snow Bud will Show
by Tanya Prather- Student, The University of New Mexico
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(Pictures taken by Tanya Prather)
Bud Shaver, 34, is not your average American who clocks in everyday at nine a.m. and fights traffic on the way home at five o’clock every night. Instead, he and his wife, Tara, get up every morning to fight for what they view as a violation of human rights and end the battle over abortion.
Shaver, who is now a father of two, is adamant about being at target clinics during abortion periods in an attempt to reach out to as many women as possible. With him he carries pamphlets of information regarding pre- or post-abortion situations; he is only there to help, not judge, he says. If he is able to catch the women’s attention before they enter the clinic, he will direct them to Project Defending Life (PDL), a pro-life organization that sponsors ministries with the focus of ending abortions. PDL is where his wife is stationed and helps to get the women pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and any other assistance that women may need, such as medical or financial help, Shaver said. Neither Bud nor Tara receives a paycheck, but they get by on charitable donations made through PDL, which is how they are able to continue their outreach, Shaver says. As a pro-life activist, Shaver spends long hours almost every day of the week outside two of three abortion clinics in Albuquerque that he feels are in most need of bringing attention to. He and anyone willing to join him, will stand outside of the UNM Center for Reproductive Health, which is a 22-week gestation abortion clinic and Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), Albuquerque’s late-term clinic that lists on their website they do, “Elective Abortion through 28 weeks, Later Abortions for Maternal Indications and Later Abortion for Fetal Indications.” Once Shaver finds the hours during which abortions are being done at these clinics, he makes it a point to be there even if he’s alone. He is not one to let a little bad weather stand in his way.
“He’ll go out there alone in the full sun. I’ve even seen pictures of him in the snow. He doesn’t get a paycheck, doesn’t clock out, just does that and what he does is so inspiring,” said Christina Carter, a pro-life volunteer and mother of three.
Tara Shaver has also stood out at the clinics and has testimonies of stopping and changing women’s minds on the spot. However, since the birth of their newborn son, who she has been tending to, she is now helping more within the PDL offices doing tasks mentioned above while her husband stands outside the abortion clinics with other volunteers to educate the public, he says.
A little over five years ago, Shaver says he didn’t know much about abortion and never saw signs with the graphics he sees today. He was raised in a Christian home, but his mother never mentioned or thought about abortion, he said. He grew up to be a minister. Bud met his wife at Bible College in Texas. Shaver’s wife, Tara, picked up a pamphlet on a trip to California for an event called, “Spirit West Coast, Christian Music Festival.” It’s the first time that both of them fully understood the realities of abortion.
“The pamphlet I picked up in California was based on former abortion clinic owner Carol Everett’s testimony about what she saw in the abortion industry. This brochure opened my eyes and helped me to see that abortion exists, how they are done, the goal of the abortion industry, money, etc.,” Tara said.
Everett had been a director of four different abortion clinics, an owner of two and she has had an abortion. One of the routine procedures mentioned in the pamphlet is that the babies are dismembered inside the uterus and then removed in pieces and placed back together outside the uterus to make sure all parts have been cleared out.
Other things Everett testifies from her days as an abortionist are how woman are deceived through counseling techniques, common abortion procedures, how fetuses are disposed of and also an investigation by Life Dynamics Inc. (LDI), of Denton, TX, revealing the selling of high-quality fetal organs for research.
In turn, the number one thing Everett confesses is, “The governing force behind the abortion industry” is, “money,” she says.
Aside from this pamphlet, Tara mentioned that not many years prior to this, her mother had tried to convince her pregnant 14-year-old sister to get an abortion. She says she knew nothing about abortion but something inside of her told her it was wrong.
Bud and Tara then offered to take the baby and help in any way they could. Their nephew is now six years old (He has lived 2 of those years with Bud and Tara. He is currently living with his mom in Texas.) “I really think that was the first small seed God planted in my heart that later blossomed into what is now a passion for life,” Tara said.
Though Tara previously did not know much about abortion, she now finds herself running a pro-life office in an attempt to end abortion. She looks for volunteers and updates pro-life newsletters and websites with new information. She files medical board complaints when something goes wrong during an abortion procedure at clinics. Tara obtains the 911 calls made by abortion clinics through freedom of information laws. For example, a recent 911 call made by Southwestern Women’s Options abortion clinic was released revealing how dangerous late-term abortions can be. There were complications in an abortion procedure at 35-weeks gestation on May 12, 2011. The audio recording of the call has been released and can be found at prolifewitness.org/?page_id=94.
Dr. Susan Robinson, a Board-Certified Ob/Gyn who specializes in third trimester abortion care at SWO, explains that abortions at nine months are on a case-by-case basis. They are typically performed in cases with fetal indications, she claims.
“Fetal Indications means any ailments, such as chromosomal disorder or anything physically wrong that may not be seen until later in the pregnancy. In that case, we need to hand the case over and talk to a doctor, with permission of the doctor (who provides the proof of indications), we would euthanize the baby and there would be an induced labor,” Robinson said.
Another reason, according to SWO, that a late-term abortion would be performed is a maternal indication. A maternal indication is any proof that the fetus is in some way harming the mother. An example of this would be the recent death of 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar, who died of blood poisoning from miscarriage after an Irish hospital denied her an abortion.
[Editor’s Note: It appears to me, a statistician by education and experience, that there is no apparent causal connection between the fact that the woman did not have an abortion and the death after miscarriage. If her miscarriage had been properly handled (e.g., with a D&C procedure to assure that the remains did not stay in the uterus), she likely would not have contracted blood poisoning. In other words, the causality of her death had to do with negligence post-miscarriage, rather than the failure to have an abortion. -Leslie Cumiford Editor, The New Mexico Breeze]
Eve L Espey, MD, who has 21 years of experience and practices in Obstetrics & Gynecology and is currently employed at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health explains complications as excess bleeding and infection which are most common, but very rare. She admits that “minor and very few” complications have occurred at their clinic as well. She assures women that these cases are rare, and claims that abortion is safer than pregnancy.
“Abortion is an extremely safe procedure, far safer than continuing a pregnancy. Abortion is most dangerous when it is illegal; it leads to 13% of maternal deaths in the world,” she says.
[Note: Clinic paperwork recently obtained from SWO states, “The risk of terminating a pregnancy gradually increases throughout the course of 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 greater risk than carrying the pregnancy to term. UNMCRH does abortions up to 22 weeks gestation! -Tara Shaver]
Doctors employed at abortion clinics sign a “Hippocratic oath,” says Dr. Espey, where they put the patients interest above their own. There are 50% unplanned pregnancies in the U.S., half keep their baby and the other half don’t, she said. Before abortion was legal, there were wards set up throughout the country just to care for women who were trying illegal abortion via coat hanger causing bleeding and infection themselves, Dr. Espey said.
“When you make abortion illegal, it doesn’t go away, you just make it unsafe, and I believe every child should be a wanted child,” Espey said.
Regardless of the views and beliefs inside the abortion clinics, Shaver and volunteers continue to bring awareness to what they refer to as “the atrocities” by holding up graphic signs which show show actual images of aborted fetuses having been pieced back together. They hand out pamphlets with information, stationing a group of mother’s with their babies in strollers along the sidewalk during scheduled hours at both clinics.
Shaver believes that New Mexico is “The Wild, Wild West” when it comes to abortion. It is the late-term abortion capitol of the world, he claims. New Mexico has no age restrictions, limited regulations, and women are coming to Albuquerque from all over the world for late-term abortions.
When an abortion becomes late-term, it is often related to the “viability” of the fetus, or in other words, the ability of the fetus to survive outside the uterus. Though “partial-birth,” abortion bans have been put in place in the U.S., including New Mexico, there are still many different definitions as to what gestation a baby is able to survive outside the womb and what is not. The most well-known definition renders it easy to take advantage of loopholes to get around the ban.
The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act bans of the procedure in which someone intentionally conducts an abortion after having already vaginally delivered a living fetus. A doctor pulls the fetus out past the navel and “disarticulates” him or her at the neck.
Shaver has seen license plates at the clinics from many other states, even those that have late-term abortions as well. New Mexico also funds 100 percent of the cost of abortion through Medicaid. It is paid for by our Bernalillo County tax dollars, Shaver explained.
“There is a national fund that helps poor women afford abortion. We’re fortunate in NM that Medicaid covers medically necessary abortion,” Espey confirms.
“That’s what really brought us here to Albuquerque. A focus on late-term abortion and focus on making a difference where we can make a difference. If people just understand that late-term abortion fact about Albuquerque and New Mexico, then that can be enough to where we can maybe we can effect change and start solidifying the process in New Mexico to tidy up some of our laws,” Shaver said.
Bud and Tara Shaver are full-time pro-life missionaries; Albuquerque, New Mexico is their mission field. They are working to organize a constant peaceful and prayerful presence at local abortion clinics and implementing several other proven strategies, in an effort to end abortion in New Mexico. They are also reaching out to the Christian community to educate, activate, and encourage them to stand for life. Their ministry is Christ-centered and grace-filled. There are many ways to get involved. Join them in their life-saving ministry.
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest abortion provider, but for those of us who have a moral objection to abortion, we are told not to oppose Planned Parenthood altogether because they provide other “essential healthcare services for women.”
Tara Shaver has obtained public records indicating an active lawsuit filed against Planned Parenthood of New Mexico for medical malpractice and negligence, lack of informed consent and more. The Plaintiff in this lawsuit alleges that on August 29, 2011 abortionist Shauna Jamison and Dr. Richard Adams performed a tubal ligation to sterilize her. However, three days later the plaintiff was admitted to the University of New Mexico Hospital emergency room where she underwent an emergent laparotomy surgery. She endured a bowel perforation during her tubal ligation and spent three days in agonizing abdominal pain, and to top it all off seven months later she became pregnant! A New Mexico Medical Board complaint will be filed this week with regard to this negligence, and signifies that all three of Albuquerque’s abortion clinics have posed a grave danger to public safety.
These re-occurring incidents should have women in America asking, “Can we trust Planned Parenthood or abortion clinics in general, with our healthcare?”
According to Pro-Life activist Bud Shaver, “Pro-Choice bias and willful ignorance to the fact that women continue to be injured in abortion clinics has permeated New Mexico and this country. Unfortunately, this mentality has penetrated not only the legislature in Santa Fe but also other public oversight entities and is perpetuating harm to unsuspecting women entering abortion clinics every day. It is time for the Pro-Choice reign of terror across this country, to come to an end!”
In New Mexico, we know that the health department, hospitals, and even high schools send unsuspecting women to Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics to receive healthcare services. Women are continually referred to abortion clinics for D&C’s after their miscarriages, sterilizations and birth control. New Mexico is one of 15 states where all of these services, including abortion, are fully funded through Medicaid by taxpayers. When abortion clinic workers maim and injure these women they make each one of us culpable.
In light of all these tragic developments, Father Stephen Imbarrato, Director of Protest ABQ issued the following statement, “Between the fourteen 911 calls obtained by Tara Shaver and this latest proof of medical negligence at Planned Parenthood, the women of New Mexico can see that an abortion clinic will not provide them with the essential health care they deserve. They may in fact be walking into a serious life threatening situation. I am calling on Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Legislature to immediately end tax funding to Planned Parenthood and all of New Mexico’s abortion clinics. We also want to see policies implemented guaranteeing that abortion clinics are inspected regularly. All other surgical centers in this state are inspected regularly, we need to hold abortion clinics to the same standard. Women in this state need immediate action, not a double standard which places their health and safety at risk.”
UPDATE: Here is an article printed in the ABQ Journal based on our our press release exposing this lawsuit against Planned Parenthood. Suit: Tubal Ligation Causes Injury
You never know what to expect on any given day, today Tara received two calls. One was from an active duty Albuquerque, Detective and the other was from a Sidewalk Counselor in San Diego, California.
During the past 5 years in full-time Pro-Life ministry we have had our run-ins with law enforcement, some of which highlight their failures. Today, however Tara received a phone call from an active duty detective which highlights all that is noble and praiseworthy! In our ministry we deal with the “hard cases” and this one was no different. A girl had been raped and the police actually went with this girl to the abortion clinic and overheard the abortion clinic staff tell this girl that she had to have the abortion because the cops needed the remains as evidence! The sergeant stepped in and stated that, that was not true and wasn’t clear about whether this girl actually wanted the abortion, so they all left! Then, this girl’s family began pressuring her into abortion, so this detective put this girl into contact with Tara. He wanted to make sure she was able to receive life-affirming help in her darkest hour!
While we deal with the worst case scenarios, each day God shows up in the most unexpected ways and reassures us that He is always at work, “Moving the Mountains!”
If that was not enough, Tara received a second call today from San Diego California, from a sidewalk counselor there. She had been helping a young sixteen year old girl who was considering an abortion. The young girl was too far along for an abortion there. They just received a text from her that she was headed to Albuquerque, NM to pay $7,000 for a late-term abortion! They immediately contacted Tara to see if we could intercept her! While we never control the outcome, we can do our part, and give Hope a chance!
Faith is what sustains us, Love is what compels us, and Hope always remains.
At the end of November, we were able to see a glimpse of the fruit of our labor here in New Mexico. Last October, Tara filed 11 medical board complaints after obtaining 911 calls in a public records request. One of those calls documented a 35 week abortion that had gone seriously wrong and the outcome was a woman with a ruptured uterus. The patient had actually had a previous C-section which increases the risks during an induction abortion. To make matters worse the medication used to increase contractions in labor were overused during the abortion and led to the ruptured uterus. We don’t even know if the woman lived or died. According to the NM Medical Board this abortion violated the standard of patient care and the late term abortionist responsible, Shelley Sella, faced a disciplinary hearing on November 29th and 30th. We’re finally starting to see those who think they are above the law, held accountable. It will take 90 days for the Medical Board to decide what action will be taken against Sella, she could be suspended or lose her medical license altogether. Please keep the outcome in your prayers.
We are glad the New Mexico Medical Board is doing their job, because of their investigation; the late term abortion clinic is now screening all of its patients. Those seeking abortions that have had previous C-sections are being turned away. One woman came to ABQ for an abortion from out of state in August; she had a previous C-section and was turned away from the clinic. We were able to intercept her and Project Defending Life and another volunteer was able to assist her. Her baby boy is due the first week of December! We know that our presence alone turns away abortion minded women…Now the abortionists themselves, are turning them away! This is how God moves Mountains!
“Yes, abortion is legal in NM through all 9 Months!”
We did attempt to attend the Medical Board hearing, however, it ended up being closed to the public. In a state that has an open meetings act it was pretty disappointing to be excluded from this hearing. Unfortunately NM continues to show its pro-abortion bias on many levels. Even though the Medical Board and Shelley Sella herself wanted this hearing to be private we made sure that the community was well aware of what was taking place. We had Cheryl Sullenger from Operation Rescue join us for a press conference the first morning of the hearing and above, you’ll see the Albuquerque Journal Newspaper’s coverage of the hearing.
Here is the video coverage by KOB Channel 4 News. Tara was interviewed for this report :
It’s really time for people to be enlightened to the fact that late term, full term abortions are legal in NM and women are suffering at the hands of these abortionists. By God’s providence we did just that and will continue to expose the deeds of darkness until abortion is abolished in this state.
This month, while Tara served at our second PDL office, she had the privilege of meeting a very special couple. They came in for a pregnancy test and ultrasound with their beautiful 6 month old daughter in tow. Before they left, the boyfriend asked Tara if abortions were performed across the street because he saw Bud and another woman reaching out through a public, prayerful presence. Tara said yes, and explained they were done into the 2nd trimester. The boyfriend had a look of disgust and shared their daughter’s story. While in the womb she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, also known as “water in the brain,” which is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. Of course, like many people today, an abortion was promoted as the simple solution to this families “problem.” This couple was told that they could have their daughter aborted up until 28 weeks gestation and it came highly recommended. However, this couple was heroic and never entertained the thought of killing their precious child, not for a moment. They told Tara that even though their baby was born with hydrocephalus, she was still the best gift that they had ever received. This man was the proud daddy of this beautiful blessing. As we continue to speak to women who have bought the lie that having an abortion for a fetal anomaly we will forever think of this couple’s heroic choice. Those who choose life in the most uncertain circumstances and despite severe challenges…are true hero’s!
A Happy Story with a Sad Ending
This month we met a woman who being pregnant several months ago went to one of Albuquerque’s three abortion clinics for an abortion. She rushed quickly into the clinic to avoid those praying on the sidewalk. Her and her boyfriend had come to the clinic that day with their minds made up, or so they thought. Her boyfriend actually went over and spoke with a volunteer who was offering help and alternatives for those entering the clinic that day. The volunteer listened to this couple’s situation and helped this woman’s boyfriend see that abortion was not the best option for them. Arrangements were made to help this gentleman find a job and get the couple involved in the parenting program at Project Defending Life. The boyfriend went into the clinic and brought his girlfriend out stating that they would work through things together and keep their baby.
A few weeks passed and life got tough for this couple, they didn’t actually follow up with the help that was offered to them. They had decided shortly after leaving the clinic that they would persevere on their own without the help that was offered to them. However, as time passed, having an abortion crept back into their minds as the solution to their hard times. This time the boyfriend persuaded his girlfriend to go ahead with an abortion, she however did not want to face those who had changed their minds before, and ended up at another clinic in town. This time no one was at the clinic to intercept this couple and she went ahead with the abortion. We will never know if they would have been convinced a second time to keep their baby but we know that offering help the first time gave them enough encouragement to carry on.
Every abortion bears consequences and that’s why we spend so much time at the clinics in ABQ, praying and reaching out to women and couples with the love of Christ. However, we can’t be there all the time. So we pray and ask God to provide workers who can fill in the gaps when we go home for the day. This has been one of our top priorities, to have volunteers praying at the abortion clinics every hour they are open so that every woman is offered an alternative. If you are wondering if being present and praying in front of an abortion clinic is effective, let this be your answer. If you are on the fence and contemplating getting involved, let this true story be your motivation. Every woman deserves to know about what the pro-life community is eager to offer her and her pre-born child. Don’t wait another day to act; a baby and her mom are counting on you to offer her hope and LIFE!
We are so thankful to all of our monthly and one-time financial donors. Without the support of individuals like you, we would not be able to do this life saving work full time. We are humbled by the fact that God has called us to rescue those being led to the slaughter and we so look forward to the day when abortion will be ended in America. Until then we ask you to consider partnering with us on a monthly basis or with a generous one time gift. We will send new donors a uniquely designed pro-life birthday, anniversary and other special day forever calendar pictured above as a thank you gift. You can donate here online securely. You can also send your donation by mail, details here.
Please Pray For Us:
~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.
Press Conference Thursday, November 29th at 10:00am at the New Mexico Medical Society
November 29th,
Albuquerque, NM- The New Mexico Medical Board is acting on complaints filed by Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life and Cheryl Sullenger of Operation Rescue by holding a hearing for late term abortionist Shelley Sella on Thursday, November 29th. Medical Board documents state that Sella violated the standard of care by conducting the dangerous 35-week abortion in a clinic setting instead of a hospital and gross negligence by disregarding the patient’s history of a previous Caesarean Section delivery. A Caesarean Section weakens the uterus, increasing the risks of rupture during subsequent labors. Sella is also accused of over-using uterine stimulants, which contributed to the life-threatening rupture. The hearing will determine what, if any, disciplinary action the Board will take, which could include suspension or revocation of Sella’s New Mexico medical license.
“Women come to Albuquerque from all over the US seeking late-term abortions that are illegal elsewhere only to be placed in grave danger by the negligent incompetence of Shelley Sella. Full term abortions are barbaric and dangerous acts that have no place in a civilized society. When you add in an abortionist that carelessly ignores serious health risk factors, you have a public health disaster. The New Mexico Medical Board is correct to institute disciplinary proceedings against Sella and we call on the Board to revoke Sella’s medical license in the interest of public safety.” Cheryl Sullenger, Operation Rescue
Even though the hearing is closed to the public Tara Shaver and Cheryl Sullenger will be holding a press conference Thursday November 29th at 10:00am at the New Mexico Medical Society located at 316 Osuna Rd NE in Albuquerque.
Our family would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for but are especially thankful for the prayers, encouragement and support that have come from you this year!
We are thankful for…
God faithfully bringing forth fruit from this ministry. He deserves all the praise. There is so much happening right now in Albuquerque that is bringing us closer to seeing this city become abortion free. In fact on November 29th and 30th the first abortionist in New Mexico will be held accountable for a 35-week abortion that landed a woman in the hospital with a ruptured uterus. Abortionist Shelley Sella will have a hearing with the New Mexico Medical Board, which is the direct result of a year long investigation prompted by complaints filed by Tara and Operation Rescue, click here for full story. Please pray that the hearing will remain open to the public and that abortion abuses in New Mexico will finally reap their due reward.
We are thankful for…
The launch of our new website: prolifewitness.org Our conversion from a blog to a website is going to provide people with easy access to so much vital information. We know that educating the general public with what is happening locally is so vital and we know that this new site will do just that. Please visit the site and feel free to subscribe at the top so that you never miss an update.
We are thankful for…
Answered prayer. As you probably know by now one of our main prayers has been for more workers for this ripe harvest. The harvest of saving moms and babies from the horror of abortion. God has provided more workers from New Mexico’s largest church, Calvary Chapel ABQ. Pastor Eric Lamb recently launched the Pro-Life Movement 9 Months at Calvary ABQ. This movement is bigger than just a Calvary movement and we look forward to more Christians and Churches stepping up and following Calvary ABQ’s example of faithfulness in the coming year! Here is the latest video done by a dear friend of ours that highlights the broadcast of Calvary’s own radio station’s coverage of the latest 40 Days for Life campaign. This broadcast is a great example of how to get the word out and shine light into this dark world.
We are thankful for…
Both Project Defending Life and Operation Rescue who have blessed us in so many ways. Project Defending Life has been a tremendously blessing to us throughout the 2 years we have been serving here, it means so much to always have them as a partner in the effort to help moms keep their babies. We have learned so much from those at Operation Rescue and it has been a blessing to have them come along side us in our ministry here in New Mexico. Both organizations have been an invaluable resource to our ministry!
May God Bless all of you in your efforts to serve Christ in your communities!
Click here to make your year end tax-deductible donation so that we can continue our life saving ministry here in New Mexico!
Or, your donation can be mailed to:
Bud and Tara Shaver
P.O. Box 50351
Albuquerque, NM 87181
-All donations made out to Project Defending Life, earmarked for “Bud or Tara Shaver” are tax deductible.
Albuquerque, NM – Acting on complaints filed by Operation Rescue and Project Defending Life, the New Mexico Medical Board (NMMB) has filed a Notice of Contemplated Action alleging gross negligence against late-term abortionist Shelley Sella during a 35-week abortion that landed the woman in the hospital with a ruptured uterus.
“Shelley Sella has a long and sordid history. We have been looking forward to the day when she would be held accountable for her abortion abuses. That day has finally arrived,” said Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor for Operation Rescue.
The abortion took place on May 12, 2011. Tara Shaver of Project Defending Life obtained a copy of the 911 call placed that day, which revealed incriminating details of the medical emergency. Mrs. Shaver worked with Operation Rescue to file a series of complaints that resulted in the Board’s action.
A hearing will be held on November 29-30 to determine what, if any, disciplinary action the Board will take, which could include suspension or revocation of Sella’s New Mexico medical license.
NMMB documents state that Sella wrongly conducted the dangerous 35-week abortion in a clinic setting instead of a hospital and disregarded the patient’s history of a previous Caesarean Section delivery. A Caesarean Section weakens the uterus, increasing the risks of rupture during subsequent labors. Sella is also accused of over-using uterine stimulants, which contributed to the life-threatening rupture.
Sella is a former associate of the late George Tiller, having worked for him at his infamous late-term abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas. After that clinic closed in 2009, Sella went to work for Curtis Boyd at Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico, an affiliate of the troubled National Abortion Federation, conducting the same grisly late-term abortion procedure she learned in Wichita.
Sella cancelled her Kansas medical license the same week the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts notified Operation Rescue that a disciplinary petition had been filed against one of Sella’s Kansas co-workers, Ann Kristin Neuhaus, who had provided improper late-term abortion referrals to Tiller’s abortion clinic.
Testimony taken during Neuhaus’ disciplinary hearings indicated that late-term abortions done in Kansas by Sella were in fact illegal. The KSBHA revoked Neuhaus’ medical license, but because Sella had previously surrendered her license, she was outside their jurisdiction and avoided accountability for her actions.
Sella also works as an abortionist for Planned Parenthood in California.
More Information
Bud and Tara Shaver- “We are former intern’s with Operation Rescue. We moved to Albuquerque, NM to work alongside Project Defending Life to implement proven strategies to peacefully and legally end abortion in New Mexico.”
Check out the endorsement by Operation Rescue published by www.lifenews.com:
This month, the 40 Days For Life campaign was out in full force! We are so pleased that during this campaign Calvary of Albuquerque stepped up in a big way. On October 31st, one of Calvary’s designated days to pray at Planned Parenthood about 30 people
came to stand for life. Calvary of ABQ also has their own Christian radio station 107.1 KNKT, and Peter Benson who hosts ABQ Connect aired his show on location at Planned Parenthood on October 31st and interviewed Bud along with some other local pro-life organizations including: Care Net, Birthright, New Mexico Right to Life, and Aspen Project-an adoption agency.
(Peter Benson interviewing Pastor Eric Lamb)
Also, this month the first of a series of videos was finished titled: “The Calvary Has Arrived” you can watch this encouraging 11 min. promo video here at our blog. Calvary of Albuquerque is the largest Christian Church by attendance in the entire state of New Mexico! It is encouraging to see them step up in a big way! A vital part of our ministry consists of helping to educate and activate the Christian community to stand for life. This month we are seeing the fruit of this effort. God is moving the biggest hearts, Churches, and mountains in New Mexico!
The Survivors Campus Life Tour was in town this month. We love having them join us at the clinics and doing outreach at the local colleges and high schools. Education is key in abortion prevention.
“The Campus Life Team is COMMITTED. After stopping in an Albuquerque shopping center to order pizza for dinner, the team noticed a Planned Parenthood a few doors down. They placed their order, grabbed some sidewalk chalk, and spent all the time it took to make the pizza writing pro-life messages across the walk in front of PP’s door. Unwavering abolitionists! “
Sidewalk Testimonies
This month out at late-term abortion mill SWO as I approached a woman in her car who was leaving the parking lot I noticed tears in her eyes but she was smiling, and said “Thank you, I didn’t do it! I just could not do it!” I gave her local resources just in case she needed anything. Praise God! Another sidewalk counselor was able to pray and minister to a woman who had come to schedule an abortion. We are confident and prayerful that she will not have the abortion! We also spoke with a young father for quite a while who was open and honest. He brought his girlfriend for an abortion and she did go through with it. However, after our conversation he stated that our talk had changed his perspective and changed him. He openly stated that he was ashamed of himself. He was sorry that we met at an abortion clinic. He wanted us to know that he would never do this again, he was going to try to marry his girlfriend and he wished he would see us again “Not like this…Maybe at the mall.”
This month a young man walked through the parking lot headed toward late-term abortion mill SWO. He was offered a gift packet that has been put together to hand out. He remarked “I can’t say no to a gift.” When asked why he was headed into SWO, he replied that his mother worked there and he was getting a ride home. He remarked when prodded that he did not like that his mom worked at an abortion clinic. He was encouraged to talk to his mom about his concerns…because according to one sidewalk counselor, “A mom always listens to her children.” Pray that this is the seed that is planted that brings his mother out of the abortion industry!
This month after urgently ministering to a couple from California we realized they had come for a late-term abortion and that it was too late for the child, when we are at a loss for words and struggling to understand how best to serve the couples who refuse our resources…Prayer remains our most precious resource. Our God is bigger than the greatest mountains we face!
Wow, what a great witness to the community….this month, instead of meeting in their home or a coffee shop two women’s groups had their ladies weekly/monthly meeting on the sidewalks in front of abortion clinics SWO and UNMCRH. They are sharing fellowship here, praying here, worshiping here, lighting up the darkness, and sharing the love of Christ!
INSIDE THE HEART OF A PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST
This originally appeared on Tyler Ellis’ blog btylerellis.com
“Tyler Ellis is a College Minister at the University of Delaware and author of Question Everything. His blog is dedicated to exploring the challenge of knowing God and helping others do the same.”
Bud and I have been roommates, groomsmen, and friends for more than a decade now. We went to Bible College together years ago and later got to do ministry together in Arizona. It was in Arizona that Bud and his wife first got their feet wet volunteering in a pro-life ministry. Since then, they have become full-time missionaries. They currently live in Albuquerque, NM and work alongside Project Defending Life www.lateterm.com. Their mission is to end abortion in New Mexico and to minister to women and families in crisis.
With the end of the year approaching, now is a great time to make a year end tax-deductible donation so we can continue our life saving ministry in New Mexico!
You can donate securely here: (Click link) Prayer and a Pro-Life Witness (Cornerstone is a pro-life alternative to paypal)
Or, your donation can be mailed to:
Bud and Tara Shaver
P.O. Box 50351
Albuquerque, NM 87181
All donations made out to Project Defending Life, earmarked for “Bud or Tara Shaver” are tax deductible.
Please Pray:
~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.
On October 31st, one of Calvary’s designated days to pray at Planned Parenthood about 30 people came to stand for life. Calvary of ABQ also has their own Christian radio station 107.1 KNKT, and Peter Benson who hosts ABQ Connect aired his show on location at Planned Parenthood on October 31st and interviewed Bud along with some other local pro-life organizations including: Care Net, Birthright, New Mexico Right to Life, and Aspen Project-an adoption agency.
Albuquerque, NM — Abortionist Kermit Gosnell is currently awaiting a verdict from the jury for a host of criminal charges and five counts of murder including the murders of four 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.
Albuquerque, NM – New documents, including transcripts of a Medical Board disciplinary hearing held in November, 2012, indicate that late-term abortionist Shelley Sella committed four acts of gross negligence during a 35-week abortion on a woman with a history of previous Cesarean Section that resulted in a ruptured uterus.
The case began when ML, a 26-year old woman with a history of a previous cesarean section delivery, traveled to Southwestern Women’s Options, a late-term abortion clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for an abortion of her pre-born baby at 35 weeks gestation. Her New York physician recommended the abortion after the baby was diagnosed with an abnormally large head and brain. The baby’s head was estimated to be the size of a baby at 40 weeks. Sella agreed to do the abortion on the basis of the fetal anomaly and the supposed distraught mindset of the patient.
Sella claimed that protocols developed by Wichita abortionist George Tiller should be used for the standard of care for third trimester abortions rather than the tougher obstetrical, ACOG standards.
On the morning of May 10, 2011, ML arrived at Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) in Albuquerque for her first appointment. ML has been interviewed by a telephone “counselor”– likely an unlicensed and unqualified clinic worker — who took information about her state of mind and medical history – including her history of previous cesarean section – and relayed it to Sella and her associate, Susan Robinson, who also does third-trimester abortions at SWO. The two consulted and agreed that ML was a good candidate for the Induction abortion used at SWO.
On the second day, May 11, ML returned to the clinic in the morning. Sella changed out her laminaria, gave her another dose of Misprostol, and again sent her back to her hotel with instructions to take yet another dose of the drug at 3:00 pm. ML took the drug as instructed.
Darney is the head of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health at the University of California San Francisco. This is the same organization that is training non-physicians to do abortions. The training program made news last when a California lawmaker proposed changing the law to allow these non-physicians to do abortions without the supervision of licensed doctors.
