Jackson Free Press

Driving to work this morning, I saw a handful of pro-birth protesters with huge magnified fetus signed, probably Photoshopped (their favorite tech invention), in front of UMC. It seems that most of the traffic was ignoring them; it wasn't like they were met with a bunch of honks of support. I wanted to ask them what they were going to go to help "rescue" all the unwanted children and ensure they have adequate food and educations once they get our only abortion clinic closed and go on back wherever, but knew it wouldn't do any good with such zealots. I wonderfed if they had a permit to protest there; it seems they didn't and got arrested a short time later.

The protest on Saturday was very interesting—with at least 200 people, many say closer to 300—turning out to rally in support of abortion rights. I simply cannot imagine that rally happening here five years ago. People, especially young ones, seem to be getting much more outspoken and determined in Mississippi, and that's such a good thing.

I did notice some male Jackson hipsters picking up on some of the pro-choice chicks in from elsewhere — a bit of activist love. 'Twas sweet to watch. I wasn't at Hal & Mal's either night, but I hear they were good parties.

Previous Commentsshow

I have always found those huge posters of fetuses to be as appalling as some of the vilest of porn or brutality. They are something that my children should not be subjected to while on the way to school or work. In the home, and at school to an extent, you are able to monitor what your child sees on TV and reads in books. To subject someone who is minding their own business to these images is sickening. I have yet to hear an argument from any of those who display such graphic matter in public that would sway me to think they are necessary to their campaign.

pikersam

Jul 17 2006

Well, they are porn. Imagine if anti-porn protesters tried to stand out there with huge posters of porn, especially the violent kind, to prove a point about why you shouldn't do it? Or, folks who are anti-gun standing out there with huge crime-scene posters of gunshot victims with all their blood and gore. That said, I'm not saying they don't have the *right* to do display it. But society should definitely frown on such extremists who would so such a thing.

DonnaLadd

Jul 17 2006

Check out Roy Adkins' photos from the pro-choice rally Saturday. Yes, that's me trying to get a straight story out of the police. One was not to come.

DonnaLadd

Jul 17 2006

Very brave, wearing masks. reminds me of the klan cowards who wore their masks to hide their faces. either you are proud of your beliefs or you are not regardless of which position you take. Apparently we don't have an anti-masking law aimed at the klan like other states do.

Kingfish

Jul 17 2006

We shouldn't have anti-mask laws. People should be able to protest without their identity showing–I (along with the ACLU and others who care about civil liberties, regardless of viewpoint) was against Giuliani's declaration that the Klan could only march there without their masks (we lost). That said, these folks from Anti-Racist Action travel around all over protesting; I've bumped at them for years, especially as I covered protests for the Voice and others. I'm not their biggest fan, but I support their right to be there. Sometimes, they get out of hand, just like any other group. They do seem to like it when the police overract; that's one think I've never liked about the radical left or right; they want people to overreact so they can all point fingers at each other.

DonnaLadd

Jul 17 2006

by the way, this is Jimmy Hendrix. I changed my screename. The name I'd been using online is my real name and in the business world I need to keep my name somewhat hidden if I am completely candid. Really where I work we have a corporate policy on public statements and if we ever discussed anything in my industry, then I'd have to shut up. ;-)

Kingfish

Jul 17 2006

actually I agree with you. however, I don't think much of the people who show up at the protests wearing masks. I put them in the same league with the Klan. You even admit they at times get out of hand. That mask just gives them a security blanket to hide behind for their shenanigans.

Kingfish

Jul 17 2006

OK, what happened to the fetus!?! At 4:11 p.m., The Clarion-Ledger posted a breaking story about a fetus found in the Capitol bathroom. Now, that headline is missing from the breaking news on the front page. They didn't jump the gun and report a rumor, did they?!? If so, they should tell us that. Also, in their other front-page abortion story, we find this passage: [i">Earlier in the day, more than four abortion protesters loaded onto a modified school bus were released after being issued citations for violation of Jackson's sign ordinance and having court dates set. Their five-foot-wide posters depicting aborted fetuses were also confiscated by police. Police said the group's permit allowed members to demonstrate mainly the sidewalk in front of the Women's Health Organization on State Street, Mississippi's only abortion clinic, which is closed on Mondays. "More than four"? How many, Ledge? Editor to reporter: "Find out." Also, do Ledge editors tell these kids to turn in passive-riddled copy? It's just pitiful to read such tortured sentences. Allow me: "Police confiscated their five-foot-wide posters depicting aborted fetuses." How hard is that?

DonnaLadd

Jul 17 2006

CL is reporting that the whole Fetus thing was a hoax. I'll be happy when they all leave.

Ironghost

Jul 17 2006

There we go. Wondered if they'd just let that rumor sit out there and spread. Of course it was a hoax. They should have given it more time before they reported it.

DonnaLadd

Jul 17 2006

I figure the CL is having fun now that there's an actual Big News Event going on. Beat the Pervs on WLBT all the time.

Ironghost

Jul 17 2006

I had heard about the CL fetus in the bathroom headline, but couldn't find it myself . . . Speaking of anonymous screen names and masked protesters: I understand why people who protest against groups who sometimes use violence would want to protect their identities, but I also think our culture is becoming too concerned with their true opinions becoming public knowledge. I am guilty of the pseudo-anonymous blog name on my own site, but I have recently started to think that it is ridiculous to feel the need to act like it might not actually be me, just in case my employer was ever bothered by something I posted. I know these two examples are oposite ends of the spectrum, but I think it is the same cultural change toward keeping your "real" opinions secret. Thanks for the gallery link . . .

Roy Adkins

Jul 18 2006

Just came via e-mail: Mississippi Pro-Lifers Trying to Save Preborn Stifled by Police Grass-roots activists who hoped to close down the single remaining abortion clinic in Mississippi were told to go home, USA Today reported. Operation Save America (OSA) gathered at the Jackson Women's Health Organization over the weekend to launch a week of planned events aimed at educating the community about the ills of abortion. According to Mark Gabriel, police interrupted events around the city Monday and ordered them to stop, confiscated signs and arrested protestors. Officers said the group could not assemble without a permit. Link to full piece here. You get the feeling the "preborn" radicals are surprised that Jackson hasn't been more welcoming to their point of view. That said, I'm concerned about their rights potentially being violated, and am looking into the permit regulations and how they're being enforced on both sides.

DonnaLadd

Jul 18 2006

We have one clinic in the state and they're thinking we don't know about "the ills of abortion"? Do we need these people to have a reasonable debate? Go home, carpetbaggers!

Ironghost

Jul 18 2006

Times do change. Make no mistake. Do the right thing and wait. ;-D

DonnaLadd

Jul 18 2006

It was a great party at Hal & Mal's Saturday night (the first time in my life that I've ever actually been to Hal & Mal's), and I hear a pretty doggone good one on Friday night, too. Re the activist love thing: I will say that I know of at least one case where it was a local activist woman picking up on an out-of-town male, so it goes both ways... ;o) Very sweet. And there was a huge show of support from the LGBT community too, I should add. Cheers, TH

Tom Head

Jul 19 2006