by Kathleen Gilbert
CHICAGO, February 28, 2011 (www.LifeSiteNews.com) - Pro-abortion protesters in Chicago met with a surprising sight this Saturday when a pro-life “flash mob” burst onto the scene and presented a jubilant, life-affirming message.
The gaggle of pro-lifers suddenly appeared on the rain-drenched Daley Plaza where the pro-aborts were gathered for a “Walk for Choice.” They pulled hundreds of bright yellow balloons, printed with the word “LIFE,” out of trash bags and began singing pro-life chants.
The abortion supporters had gathered to protest against House Republicans’ efforts to end taxpayer funding of abortion.
Videos posted on YouTube captured the upbeat spirit of the pro-life crowd, composed mostly of youth. In a playful jab at the “Walk for Choice” theme color, the youths held up large letters spelling, “Orange you glad to see us?”
“Walk for Choice” protests took place on February 26 in several U.S. cities to protest H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and cosponsored by 209 more House lawmakers.
The flash mob was spearheaded by a pro-life youth group, dubbed the Crusaders for Life, which is based in St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Chicago, but includes many youth from surrounding parishes as well.
Brother Chad McCoy of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius said that the flash mob idea fit in with the upbeat attitude of the group, which also brought yellow balloons to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. in January. “It’s always been our style. We want to show these people the culture of life, and joy, and love,” McCoy told LifeSiteNews.com, and hinted that more pro-life flash mobs may be in store later this year.
“There’s just something about yellow balloons. ... You can’t help but smile when you see a yellow balloon.”
Although the plot didn’t go off as smoothly as they had hoped - organizers weren’t able to keep their wares completely hidden as they approached the scene - McCoy said the overall effect was a success. He noted that, especially owing to the “orange” sign, pro-aborts at first were confused by the bubbly group of about two or three hundred people, adults as well as young children.
“They started laughing when they saw it, before they realized, ‘oh wait, these are pro-lifers,’” said McCoy.
McCoy praised the young adults behind the scheme, saying that they maintain a true dedication to the cause for life by praying both in church and outside local abortion mills for hours each Saturday, even in bitter cold. “These kids know what the reality is,” he said.
A new contributor at Feministing, who said she was present at the Walk for Choice, admitted that the cheerful “anti-choicers’” display was “pretty impressive,” and lamented the angry response by some in the pro-choice crowd.
“Although I feel it’s important to acknowledge the side of the debate that is trying to limit reproductive freedoms, I hated the back and forth shouting between both sides,” wrote “Emily.” “I was hoping I would cross paths with the anti-choicers as we walked around the Loop so I could smile and wave and acknowledge their humanity.”
Videos here.
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