40-Day Vigil Launched to Stop 'Abortion Fortress'

AURORA, Illinois, August 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Next month, Planned Parenthood intends to open one of the largest abortuaries on the face of the earth," said Pro-Life Action League Communications Director Eric Scheidler. "We're praying that never happens."

Scheidler is leading a massive prayer campaign to stop the opening of a new, 22,000 square foot Planned Parenthood facility at 3051 E. New York Street in Aurora, Illinois, in the western suburbs of Chicago. On August 9, Scheidler launched a 40-day around-the-clock vigil that will run through September 18, the scheduled opening date of the center.

"Planned Parenthood snuck into our town -- neither the city of Aurora nor many of the contractors working on the building knew what it really was," noted Scheidler, an Aurora resident. "Now they're going to try to sneak into our schools, drive a wedge between parents and children, and begin killing unborn babies here. Not without a fight."

The new building was constructed under the name "Gemini Medical Office Building." The League was tipped off to the site's real purpose by a contractor familiar with the construction. Calls and e-mails to the city government by dozens of pro-lifers caught the interest of the press, and the true identity of "Gemini" was revealed: it is none other than Planned Parenthood.

Aurora pro-lifers were dismayed at the prospect of an abortuary opening on the east side of their town. Only ten months ago, the west side abortuary of notorious abortionist Aleksander Jakubowski finally closed once and for all.

But local activists by the hundreds are rallying to fight the massive new center, which has been dubbed the "Abortion Fortress" because of its high brick walls, bulletproof glass and numerous security cameras.

Scheidler acknowledged that it will be hard to stop the facility from opening. "Planned Parenthood knew what they were doing. Pro-lifers have stymied them before when they knew Planned Parenthood was coming to town. This time they kept things quiet until it was too late to halt construction."

Nevertheless, Scheidler is optimistic. "This is the most powerful grassroots pro-life effort I've ever seen," he commented. Churches of all denominations from throughout the Chicago area are taking part in the 40- Day Vigil, which is already bringing forth miracles of conversion in the community. "We can scarcely keep track of the prayer pledges coming in," he said.

The pro-lifers have set up a website for the campaign, FamiliesAgainstPlannedParenthood.org, where concerned citizens can learn about the danger of Planned Parenthood, get resources, and even sign up for the Vigil.

A community meeting is planned at the Prisco Center, 150 W. Illinois in Aurora on Thursday, August 16 at 7 p.m. which will feature veteran Planned Parenthood foe Jim Sedlak, Pro-Life Action League National Director Joe Scheidler, and pro-life attorney Denise Mackura. A massive protest is planned at the Planned Parenthood site August 25 from 9-11 a.m.

Scheidler concluded, "The people of Aurora and their neighbors in nearby towns do not want an abortion clinic here. Period."

Christian Newswire