On Jan 9 at an abortuary in Alabama, a 70-year old pro-life activist named Joyce Fecteau was arrested. Why she was arrested seemed somewhat nebulous at the get-go. The Lifenews posting said in its lead sentence that she was arrested "after sprinkling Holy Water on a public sidewalk" on December 22, 2012. Only after we read the full article do we see that she "was reportedly not arrested for spraying Holy Water, but for another reason after she did so". The emphasis is mine. So right there we go from "sprinkling" to "spraying" and then we have this mysterious "other reason". Right then and there I knew we weren't being told the full story. I found it disconcerting that LifeNews did not disclose the precise nature of this "other reason".
An article about this on Lifesitenews has more detail. The deathscort who was sprayed is Lisa Cox and she reports being hit in the face with the vapors. Fecteau said that Cox was burning a "noxious substance" so she tried to spray it away. She said she couldn't tell if it drifted onto Cox's face.
Jill Stanek's blog has a video of actual incident. After viewing that, I have to opine that the lion's share of the blame does rest with Ms Fecteau. I don't know why two weeks lapsed between the actual incident and the arrest but that doesn't change the facts depicted in the clip below.
Ms Fecteau is a sidewalk counselor. So am I, and I speak as a sidewalk counselor. While we know we're doing the right thing, sometimes that knowledge can go to our heads and we can get downright cavalier when it comes to minding our own manners. Somehow we think that God will overlook our "little peccadillos" because we're "such great folks" for being on the front lines. Not so! We must be absolutely above reproach. The video clearly shows that, at best, Ms Fecteau was abysmally careless with the spray bottle. I saw another video (on LifeNews and LifesiteNews posts above) where there was much conversation between her and the police. If she was mouthing off to the cops (and yes, fellow prolifers, we have done that!), then I can see where they might have construed her actions to be deliberate.
When examining things such as this, we must be diligent to keep our own biases in check. Unfortunately, both LifeNews and LifesiteNews fell short in that regard.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
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Janet, I saw this posted on Facebook, and thank you so much for the article. We have to realize that apart from the philosophical gap between us and the pro-aborts, they have legitimate fears and concerns about us too, especially with the way news is reported with a bias against us.
ReplyDeleteI feel your wise counsel is especially well taken because instead of alienating the pro-aborts with hostility, if we can just gain a small amount of healthy respect from the one or two who may respond to that, we will have sown seeds which may eventually produce converts to our side. Clearly this worked with so many like Abby and scores more. I remember when we lived in Burtonsville I used to bump into a guy we nick-named "Jim Satan," I think you may know who I mean. Apart from the obvious "differences" we shared, he was really a nice guy and would probably make a great neighbor. If you see him, he may remember "Forest" whom he used to meet at the Post Office, CVS and such. Tell him I said Hi, and I miss not seeing him.
Sincerely,
Forest
I have to say I'm not impressed to hear that folks are "nice". I understand that Heinrich Himmler was personally affable - but we know what horror he inflicted upon millions.
DeleteWe simply cannot engage in wrongdoing ourselves, regardless of whether or not we gain the respect of the agents of death who wear the orange vests.
I'm one of the 'deathscorts' at the clinic where this incident occurred and I'd like to share something. We respect the people who come to pray and I think while they disagree with why we're there, they at least treat us with the same respect we show them. Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a single woman volunteer escort who is pro-abortion. Most of us have been pregnant enough times and lost enough babies to know that there aren't always simple solutions to life's dilemmas. We're pro choice which means we recognize that while we might have our personal beliefs, we aren't going to tell anyone else they have to abide by them. In fact, we have a number of 'pro-life' women who volunteer for that very reason.
ReplyDeleteAs the coordinator of the clinic escorts for this group in Huntsville, AL, I would like to point out a few things. The majority of the anti abortion protesters at our clinic are quiet and respectful. Joyce Fecteau, the woman arrested, is not. She and her husband have been arrested several times for harassment of clinic patients, volunteers and staff. The video above is just one that we have. The woman carrying the sage has not even pressed charges....yet. Fecteau sprayed at least 5 volunteers directly in the face. It was an aggressive, premeditated act. She usually brings Holy Water in a small vile and sprinkles it on the sidewalk, not a large cleaning bottle. We had no idea what was in the bottle or if it could be laced with some sort of bacteria.
ReplyDeleteThere are just a handful of radical anti abortion protesters at our clinic. If those individuals step out of line, we WILL have them arrested. If our pro choice escorts get angry or step out of line, I ask them to leave or go to the back and chill out.
I believe in free speech and everyone's right to be there to express their opinions. If aggression is shown by either side, I expect them to be arrested.
Actually, it's not about "personal beliefs". The scientific evidence is clear that you and I and everyone else were a human being from the time we were an embryo, so if we're going to talk about equality and inclusion, why don't we include the smallest among us in the circle of protection and provide for mother and child together?
ReplyDeletehttp://liveactionnews.org/life-begins-at-conception-science-teaches/
(Note the author's affiliations at the end of her article. She hardly qualifies as a member of the stereotypical "religious right".
Thank you Anathalee!!! I wish that anti-abortionists would only realize that they turn off more than they gain with their frightening attitudes towards the ladies who come to the clinic. When a person comes in they are in great need and the last thing they want is something screaming in their faces. If you were needing help....would YOU ask the person with a smile on their face or a person holding a sign with a bloody baby on it...screaming at you?
ReplyDelete"Bloody baby", you say? Yes, that little one is a baby. Thank you for acknowledging that abortion is the murder of a baby and the devastation of that mother. As far as "screaming", how do you concoct that? We often are forced to call out loudly to the woman for so-called "escorts" body-block us as we try to speak with them. Peruse this blog as I have clips of that posted throughout.
DeleteAnathalee Sandlin,
ReplyDeleteYou cannot separate the act of choosing from the thing chosen. Would anyone use this same argument about rape or racism? What would you say to a guy who said, "I'm not pro-rape; I wouldn't rape anybody myself; but I'm pro-choice for guys who want to control their bodies by raping women."? Or, how about the argument that could have been made during slavery. "I'm not pro-slavery, but it's legal and anyone who wants to have a slave should have the freedom to choose."
Your argument may make you feel better, but it's irrational and used to justify killing babies in the womb who have the same right to life that you have even though our new "Dred Scott" law makes them the property of the mother. You are only here because your mom was pro-life at least for you and didn't kill you in the womb. Most mothers would not choose abortion if they had the support they needed, but deathscorts make sure they don't get that help. I wonder how many are justifying their own abortions. Misery loves company.
After watching this clip, it looks to me like the pro choice escort w/black hat is not only waving her sign like a weapon but is also waving something (rolled up newspaper?) that's on fire. You can see it smoking/smoldering at 15 seconds. Perhaps the reason the elderly woman has a spray bottle is because the police are letting the "pro-choice escorts" flail BURNING torches in the face of pro-lifers to keep them from offering abortion clients a CHOICE!
ReplyDeleteTo me the aggressive waving of signs like weapons in the face of other people, the aggressive marching down the sidewalk very close to the elderly lady, the aggressive shouting at her "BAH BAH BAH (Bye?)" is NOT free speech and NOT protected by the first amendment. If one of them is also waving something that's on fire--that is EXTREMELY dangerous.
I disagree w/you, Restore DC. These "escorts" are NOT the police - any police behaving as they are in this clip WOULD BE arrested. When babies are legally murdered you cannot say there is rule of law in our country and I guess this is just one more indication.
P.S. These pro-life, pro-choicers (who block others constitutional rights to take help and to offer help) w/their gestapo intimidation tactics can worry about the water being laced w/bacteria etc., but I believe they know this lady very well. They can put her in jail if they 'choose' to, but the only thing that's going to wash away the innocent blood covering their souls is repentance and the blood of Jesus.
I watched it "slow-motion" (stopping every second). She's waving the sign - but as a shield against the spray. I did not see the stick in Fecteau's face at all.
DeleteAs I said before, I am a sidewalk counselor myself and if you've perused this blog, you'll see plenty evidence of my own camcorder usage. I'd like to see the footages taken by the other pro-lifers there. The one they had of her talking with the police disclosed absolutely nothing relevant.
Well listen at the end and you will hear "burning" - escort's got something that's on fire - you can see it smoking at 15 seconds when sprayed w/water.
ReplyDeleteI just saw this and must clarify what I can. The incident occurred on Dec. 22 and there is much more to this story than the pro-aborts are saying, but due to the charges against Mrs. Fecteau, evidence that will show the true sequence of events is not being revealed right now. Let's say the video the pro-aborts doesn't not show the whole story and was filmed in such a way to avoid anything that would incriminate them. I hope that all the evidence and video can be shared very soon. In the meantime, this short clip taken by one of the prayer warriors shows the way the pro-abort "clinic escorts" really behave. And there is more video to go along with the clip that proves all their comments on Youtube to be false, but again, it is not the prudent time to reveal it. The man ( bully, really) with the handcuffs has harassed many of the sidewalk counselors and prayer warriors, including minor children. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kK1XtIsRyc
ReplyDeletePlease pray for everyone at the Huntsville abortuary - for the pro-life warriors, for the girls and women who feel like abortion is their only choice and most especially for the pro-abortion demonstrators and "clinic escorts", that they will be converted and come to know the Truth. God bless ! ( Sorry I have to be anonymous - the pro-aborts stop at nothing to get our names so they can threaten us with warrants; I would have contacted you through email, but did not see an address)
I saw that video before. The guy rattled some handcuffs - so what?? His behavior was boorish, but not harassing; there is a difference. I would like to see the other videos that you mention in due time.
DeleteAs one who is in front of a Planned Parenthood regularly, I understand (all too well) the conditions that pro-lifers face out there. I also understand that we must be watchful - of both our own behaviors and the dangers tossed our way.
Thank you for your reply. Handcuff rattler does excel at boorish behavior, but he crosses the line and those instances are also on video. I look forward sharing the videos and pray it will be soon.
DeleteI've just gone through the videos you've posted under your "pro-choice clinic escorts" and "sidewalk counselor" tag and am wondering if the behavior that is shown is typical for the deathscorts there. If so, that is nothing like what goes on at the Huntsville abortuary. They look like baby kittens compared to what we deal with all the time. My son has prayed in front of a DC Planned Parenthood with students from his school, and he told me that he never saw anything like what we experience here.
Excuse me, but perhaps you overlooked this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AZF5c-Bl0o4#!) This, particularly the second part, is NOT "baby kittens".
ReplyDeleteI myself have been punched by these people. The same fellow who punched me slugged another pro-lifer. I was able to get that on camcorder. We took that video to the police and they came out and read the Riot Act to the deathscorts. To my knowledge, no pro-lifer has been attacked like that again. (In the clip I cited above, that was an outside security guard who was disciplined when I sent that video to Watkins).
I look forward to seeing those videos. They can be a great civilizing influence if used properly
I did not see that video- thank you for the link. Our deathscorts do that and more all the time. I am not trying to negate the behavior shown in the clip, but it is still mild compared to what they do here.
ReplyDeleteIf people have been punched, why haven't charges been filed?
In my own case, I had no witnesses at that moment. Realizing the burden of proof is on the accuser and that I had none, I realized filing would be an exercise in futility. As to why others haven't filed when I have evidence, that remains a mystery to me. That particular mill at which these happened (in Washington DC) closed nine years ago, thankfully.
DeleteUpdate on Mrs. Fecteau's trial. NOT GUILTY on both counts. The evidence was so clear that the judge did not even deliberate before rendering her verdict. Video evidence from the pro-life side showed the pro-abortion bullies stalking, harassing and conspiring to entrap Mrs. Fecteau. The video also showed that the 2 women lied about not knowing it was holy water and about their actions after the "spraying". More info and videos will be released soon. The boorish escort also has a civil case filed against him in a separate incident.
ReplyDeleteAnd the escorts were burning stuff on purpose:
ReplyDelete"Fecteau's attorney argued that Cox and Norlin were the aggressors that day. He said they conspired to harass Fecteau by repeatedly walking past her with burning sage - then made jokes about being sprayed with holy water. Norlin can be overheard on one video yelling, "Oh, holy water! It burns!""
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/04/accused_holy_water_sprayer_joy_2.html