 |
|
| Steve Karlen, North American campaign director for 40 Days for Life, speaks in Madison on October 29. (Contributed photo) |
MADISON — On Monday, Oct. 29, the Madison 40 Days for Life campaign was blessed to hear from 40 Days for Life National Leaders: Shawn Carney, president; Matt Britton, general counsel; and Steve Karlen, campaign director.
Sue Thayer, former manager of a Planned Parenthood in Iowa, was also on hand to share her story with the 75 pro-life people assembled for the event.
When the group arrived, they were met by counter protesters from the newly formed group who call themselves Madison Abortion Defense. As the 40 Days for Life national leaders and Thayer made their way to their speaking location, they had to walk through the crowd of counter protesters who yelled, “Go home” at them.
On the other side of the counter protesters, the local 40 Days for Life leaders met the four and welcomed them to their vigil location, “We’re happy that you are here.”
Counter protesters make noise
Steve Karlen started the evening with prayer and began to speak. It was at his first words after prayer that the counter protesters made their way to the speaker’s location and stood behind the stage (a rented pickup) chanting things like, “Abortion is healthcare, abortion is a right”, “Free abortion on demand. Can we do it? Yes, we can”, and “Whose clinic? Our clinic”.
They were very loud! Kar-len was not deterred as he continued speaking and said that the noisy opposition was there because they are very worried. He talked of how the presence of 40 Days for Life at abortion facilities saves lives.
