By Bud Shaver,
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Abortion Free New Mexico is highlighting what it describes as a stark contrast between abortion industry escorts and pro-life volunteers following a recent interaction outside the Planned Parenthood facility on Eubank Boulevard in Albuquerque.
Video recorded during the outreach shows an Abortion Free New Mexico sidewalk counselor respectfully asking Planned Parenthood escorts to turn down amplified music and engage in an intelligent, respectful conversation about abortion and the alternatives available to women entering the facility.
▶VIEW VIDEO FOOTAGE BELOW
Video footage recorded outside Albuquerque’s largest Planned Parenthood facility documenting interactions between Planned Parenthood escorts and volunteers offering life-affirming resources, practical assistance, and support to women facing unexpected pregnancies.
Rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue, members of the sidewalk team were met with mockery and ridicule. During the exchange, one escort repeatedly claimed that the volunteers were “stopping women from getting healthcare.”
An Abortion Free New Mexico volunteer responded,
“Abortion is not healthcare. Abortion hurts women. Abortion kills babies.”
The escort then replied,
“You are being ignorant.”
The sidewalk volunteer went on to explain the extensive support available through Abortion Free New Mexico and its network of community partners, including pregnancy resources, financial assistance, baby supplies, mentoring, housing referrals, adoption information, and ongoing support for women facing unexpected pregnancies.
According to Abortion Free New Mexico, however, the escorts’ use of umbrellas, amplified sound, and other obstructive tactics prevented many women from hearing about these life-affirming alternatives and available resources.
“Women deserve access to information, not obstruction,” said Tara Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico. “Our volunteers were willing to have a respectful conversation, explain their position, and share the practical help available to women in crisis. Instead of dialogue, they were met with ridicule and tactics designed to prevent women from hearing about alternatives to abortion.”
Shaver said the encounter demonstrates two fundamentally different approaches to women facing difficult pregnancies.
“One side showed up with umbrellas, speakers, and efforts to drown out conversations,” Shaver said. “The other showed up with resources, financial assistance, baby supplies, prayer, and a commitment to walk alongside women long after a difficult moment has passed. That is the difference between a culture of death and a culture of life.”
The organization emphasized that its volunteers regularly offer practical assistance through its Life Fund and community partnerships, helping women access material support, mentorship, transportation assistance, pregnancy services, and other resources designed to help both mother and child thrive.
“When escorts actively work to prevent women from hearing about alternatives, they are not expanding choices—they are limiting them,” Shaver said. “Women deserve to hear every option available to them before making a life-altering decision.”
The incident occurred outside Albuquerque’s largest Planned Parenthood facility, where Abortion Free New Mexico says volunteers routinely encounter efforts to block communication with women entering the abortion center.
“If abortion is truly healthcare, there should be no fear of open discussion, informed consent, or women hearing about alternatives,” Shaver said. “Our team will continue showing up with compassion, practical help, and the hope found in Jesus Christ. Every woman deserves to know that she is not alone. Every woman deserves to know that help is available.”
Abortion Free New Mexico is encouraging the public to follow Sidewalk Team – Abortion Free New Mexico on Facebook and @sidewalkteam_AbortionFreeNM on Instagram for updates from the front lines of sidewalk outreach.
Abortion Free New Mexico is also inviting supporters to attend its upcoming Sidewalk Outreach Training to learn how to compassionately engage women facing unexpected pregnancies and connect them with life-affirming resources.
ABOUT ABORTION FREE NEW MEXICO
Abortion Free New Mexico works to end abortion through investigative research, public exposure, accountability efforts, and direct outreach to women and families. Through sidewalk counseling, pregnancy assistance, and educational initiatives, the organization seeks to build a culture where every preborn child is valued and protected.
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