"Get back to Ontario": Fredericton Mayor to Maritimes Show the Truth Tour
By John Jalsevac
FREDERICTON, N.B., July 19, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – As debate rages in New Brunswick over the issue of government funded abortion on demand, a controversial pro-life group has taken advantage of the lively intellectual climate to spread their message.
Show the Truth, which specializes in erecting graphic photos of aborted babies at the side of roads for passing motorists and pedestrians to see, is currently touring the Maritimes in the hope of raising awareness about the true nature of abortion.
“We're called Show the Truth, and that's exactly what we're doing—it's the visual truth of abortion," said Rosemary Connell, an executive member of the group.
"We've got a mission to go across the Maritimes to show people the reality that abortions mean murdered babies. Fredericton was our first stop."
Mainstream news reports about the group’s tour have claimed that the reaction of Fredericton has largely been anger, with the police force and the mayor’s office receiving “hundreds” of complaints. The mayor of Fredericton was quoted by CBC as demanding that Show the Truth “get back to Ontario.”
"It's not the issue, it's the message: they've taken it a bit too far," he said according to CBC. "And it's time for them to get back on their bus and get back to Ontario."
Connell, however, only laughs at this account of their tour. “They're so desperate for a story that they have to get some sort of hook,” she said to LifeSiteNews. “The people of the Maritimes have welcomed the people from Ontario.” She explains that in fact half of those taking part in the demonstrations aren’t even from Ontario, but are locals who have joined the Ontario-based group.
“Since the beginning of this tour we’ve received far more than the average of positive comments,” she claims. “Many people driving by are honking their horns in support. Many are even lining up and waiting until they get their pamphlets, or stopping on the streets and thanking us.”
In response to those who claim that the demonstration disturbs their children, Connell relates how during yesterday’s demonstration one man began screaming about how his seven-year-old daughter was afraid to get out of the car because of the group’s visually graphic placards. The media immediately surrounded him, but when he issued a threat against Connell she threatened to call the police and he left the scene.
“There was no daughter. It was a lie,” says Connell. “There's a perfect example of people hiding behind their children in this issue. People know it's wrong, but they've been conditioned to think there's nothing wrong with it. But the images cause a huge conflict in them and the only excuse they have that is politically correct is their children.”
“We don't apologize that you may lose some sleep tonight thinking about the issue, or that your children may take up your time when they ask you what it's all about.”
According to New Brunswick law abortions may only be covered by taxpayer money if they are performed by a hospital. Recently the only hospital in New Brunswick announced that it was ceasing to offer the procedure. Since then pro-life activists have worked to ensure that no other hospitals would offer abortions, although the New Brunswick government indicated that two hospitals would begin offering abortions at the end of June.
Show the Truth hopes that their tour will help rouse public opinion against the public funding of abortion in the province.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
All Coat-Hangers Aimed at New Brunswick
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061610.html
New Brunswick Hospital About to Take Up Abortion: Once Named "House of God"
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06062006.html
Check out the Big Blue Wave Message Board
