ACTION ALERT: Write to Jailed Pro-life Heroes   

By Anne Reed

On March 31, four friends of Operation Rescue were sentenced to jail for attempting to save babies from imminent death. The team of pro-lifers were participating in a Red Rose Rescue. 

Red Rose Rescues are based on Proverbs 24:11: “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

During a Red Rose Rescue, pro-lifers enter an abortion facility where babies are being dragged to death. They approach mothers scheduled for abortion, kindly present them with a red rose, and peacefully try to persuade them to choose life for their babies.

The charges stemmed from efforts last year at Northland Family Planning Center West in Southfield, Michigan, on April 23, 2022. Six pro-lifers participated in the rescue.

When police arrived, the courageous advocates refused to leave and went “limp” when told they were under arrest. They were all found guilty of multiple misdemeanors. A Catholic priest and three others were jailed. The four jailed were convicted of trespassing and obstructing/resisting a police officer. Two of the four jailed were also convicted of disorderly conduct.  

Two pro-lifers who participated in the effort were not jailed but received 12 and 18 months of probation.  

“These dedicated pro-lifers are more concerned about pleasing God than man, and their obedience to God has unjustly landed them in jail,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. 

“Just as Paul called himself a ‘prisoner of Christ Jesus,’ so are these heroes who have sacrificed their comfort to save the lives of others. And now, we have an opportunity to turn our hearts toward them and provide encouragement.”  

Heroes of the 16th and 20th Centuries 

Martin Luther, the 16th century reformer, was so concerned about the souls of men, the authority of Scripture, and the purity of Christ’s church that he metaphorically “overturned tables” in his 95 Theses, striving to expose and repair corrupt practices in the church.

Though he was subject to powerful leaders who could, and eventually would, condemn him as a heretic, he refused to compromise his convictions.

“My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything,” he insisted. His closing words were reportedly, “Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” 

Four centuries later, another man named Luther showed incredible strength and courage as he challenged the status quo and led a massive, peaceful movement opposing unjust laws that oppressed an entire class of people. 

On Good Friday in 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. and 53 other Black Americans who had peacefully protested through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, were arrested.  

While in jail, King crafted a response to complaints lodged against him by southern clergymen who opposed “outsiders coming in.” He explained that he was there because injustice was there, and that he could not sit idly and show no concern for what was happening outside of his immediate surroundings. 

Likewise, these six modern-day, pro-life heroes who protested in Southfield, Michigan, could not stand idly by as the lives of human beings were being snuffed out. They could have easily remained in the comfort and safety of their own homes, ignoring the present dangers to infants in the womb. Life would be easier for them.

But, instead, they did what they knew to be right in the eyes of God. 

Though we may not be able to physically visit these unjustly incarcerated men and women, we can obey the instruction provided to us in Hebrews 13:3: 

“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”

Click HERE for mailing addresses, mailing rules, and other options, including “Smart Communications,” a secure electronic messaging service that can be used to communicate with these valiant men and women sitting in Oakland County East Annex Correctional Facility. 

“These dear friends are heroes,” said Newman. “Try to put yourself in their shoes. They deserve our support and encouragement. Please do not delay. We are providing you with the information to make it easy. Please do it today.”