Streetcampaigns in Utrecht: Police invite Pro-Abortion Advocates to Protest Closer
The street campaign for the unborn child is taking place across the Netherlands and Flanders this week. On Monday, we visited Leiden and The Hague. On Tuesday, it was Utrecht’s turn. We stood first on the university campus and then at Central Station, busy spots where we were able to speak to many passers-by.
Students thanked us for our Pro-life Message
With our red banner, matching capes and steadfast stance, we are now a familiar sight in Utrecht. Several students came up to us and thanked us for the pro-life message we are spreading. They recognised us from the last time we ran a street campaign in the city.
Tears of Gratitude in their Eyes
We prayed, held up our banner and spoke with passers-by. There were three types of reaction. There was anger, frustration and aggression from the enemies of the unborn child. There was gratitude and joy among people – mostly students – who finally saw their pro-life convictions represented. Around 10 people came up to us to shake hands with our volunteers. An elderly man thanked us with tears in his eyes and promised to pray for us.
What is a Street Campaign and can I participate?
A student listens with interest to a volunteer.
Conversations give Those 'on the Fence' Food for Thought
In between are people who, for example, have reservations about late-term abortion but want to keep it legal at an early stage. It is precisely these people who are given food for thought by the conversation. Often, simply asking questions is enough: how does an unborn child ‘acquire’ the right to life in the course of pregnancy? Was it not a human being at first?
‘Thank God for Abortion’
Where our volunteers engage in conversation, the enemies of the right to life can only shout. They have no arguments, because killing unborn children is simply not morally defensible. They debased themselves by belching, giving the middle finger and chanting slogans such as “Thank God for abortion”.
A group of activists was waiting for us before we arrived; that cannot be a coincidence.
Were the Counter-Demonstrators tipped off by the Authorities?
In the first half of the day, we were at the university campus. There, the number of counter-demonstrators was not too bad. It was quite different at the central station, where we subsequently held a street campaign. There, we were already being awaited by pro-abortion activists. It was inevitable that they had been tipped off by the authorities in advance.
Safety of Volunteers at Risk
At the station, the counter-demonstrators stood at a distance until police officers invited them to come closer. The officers did not seem to mind that this put the safety of our volunteers at risk. One female officer, who kept talking to the pro-abortion demonstrators, seemed more intent on promoting the pro-abortion protest than on maintaining order. Fortunately, that is not the attitude of every officer.
Prayer is appreciated
Today we are continuing with the street campaign. Your prayers are greatly appreciated by me and the other volunteers. We know we are supported by God, but also by our fellow campaigners for the unborn child.