Dear Partners and Friends,
 
    In the Fall, CBR completed a very successful GAP tour of the Mid-Atlantic Region, including stops at the U of Delaware, the U of Maryland, George Mason U, and Penn State U. As you read about the victories on these campuses, remember that God had ALREADY given the victories to you, before we unloaded the truck, even before you gave in support of our work. God has given us many victories we have not yet seen. All we have to do is remain faithful. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Fletcher and Jane

GAP Leaves Pro-Aborts at the U of Delaware Feeling Blue

Our location on Harrington Beach guaranteed a steady flow of traffic for both days at the U of Delaware.
On September 24-25, we began our Fall GAP campaign at the University of Delaware (UDel) in Newark. We were hosted at the UDel campus by the Pro-Life Vanguard, and our trip was sponsored by the Delaware Right to Life (DRL). DRL is one of a growing number of state right-to-life groups that understand how we must change the culture before we can change our nation’s abortion policy. Thank you, DRL!!!!QUESTION: What can you tell us about the campus at Point Loma?
JOHN...

Getting there is the hardest part.
The preparations for GAP at UDel began in June, when I (Fletcher) spent several weeks on the phone contacting pro-lifers in the area. I found willing partners in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. Based on these initial contacts, I drove to the area for a full week of meetings in July. As a result of this trip, we were able to secure pledges for funding, obtain student commitments to host our visits, and identify several pro-life groups/persons who would house and feed our traveling team. We were also able to instruct our student hosts in how to reserve space for GAP.
 
The legal foundation.
About two months before GAP, our attorney notified the university’s attorney of our plans to come to the campus. Our letter explains all the particulars: we’re coming; we obey all laws/regulations; don’t try to stop us; don’t try to restrict us to a remote location (away from our audience); don’t allow your students to violate our First Amendment rights; don’t try to charge us a fee to pay for police protection (necessary to deter pro-abort violence); we act responsibly; check our references; work with us.
 
Fletcher uses the imagery to explain the humanity of the unborn child and the inhumanity of abortion (left).
GAP is so powerful. When Fletcher’s not around, even Jane can get an audience (right).

The meeting.
About a month before GAP, and after the university is notified of our plans, I always schedule a face-to-face meeting with the appropriate university administrators. The stated goals are to answer their questions and plan the logistics of our visit. Additionally, we want them to know that we are serious about protecting our First Amendment rights. Once all the First Amendment issues are settled, both parties share the exact same goals: safety for the CBR team, safety for the university students, no surprises for either party, get us on campus for a couple of days and get us on the road! 

Overcoming obstacles.
Next month, I will address one of the obstacles that we often face when we negotiate with the university personnel.

University of Delaware pro-aborts repeated the same tactic taken by all perpetrators of genocide: dehumanize the victim. Their sign reads, “Fetus = Tapeworm” and “Babies are Parasites.”
Great location; great weather.
We were located on Harrington Beach, a large grassy area surrounded by the Perkins Student Center, the Russell Complex Cafeteria, and several dormitories. Students continually filed past the display. Weather was perfect: sunny, warm, no wind.

Varied reactions.
Student responses ranged from shock to contemplation. Soco, a male sophomore, exclaimed, “Oh my God! Look at the hand!” Doug, a male junior, was more reflective, “Knowledge can be scary.”

Professional image.
Our detailed preparatory work resulted in strong student support. Megan Burgess of the Pro-Life Vanguard told The Review (UDel’s student paper) that “[her] organization decided to host [CBR] because of its experience and volunteers who are professionally trained to answer any questions or arguments of those viewing the display.”

Feeble opposition.
To counter GAP, the Students Acting for Gender Equality (SAGE) invited students to plant a miniature “I am Pro-Choice” sign in the “Pro-Choice Garden.” Needless to say, these symbolic acts of opposition could not begin to counter the effectiveness of our photo images. Julie, a freshman, was deeply moved by the abortion photos: “Before I saw these pictures I did not know how I felt on abortion. I thought it wasn't a baby until it was born. But now seeing these pictures I know that wasn't true. It makes me angry. … (crying now) … Why is this affecting me so much?”

Some students walk up to the GAP display to engage our staff and volunteers. Others prefer to stand at a distance and contemplate the photos in silence.
Please keep me ignorant!
Many people simply prefer to remain in denial.  In a letter that appeared in The Review, Rebecca Napp, a sophomore, asserted that pictures of abortion "pollute" her rights as a student to decide her own political opinions. In other words, facts “pollute” her ability to make decisions. Hmmm. Ms. Napp went on to say that "pro-life activists should not be allowed to invade our college campus to try to influence us with appalling pictures." Apparently, Ms. Napp thinks only people who agree with her should be allowed on campus. Or maybe they can come on campus, but they cannot be allowed to present evidence (i.e., "appalling pictures") that might cause people to question her beliefs.  Either way, we are happy that the First Amendment protects our right to show the truth about abortion, even if some people would prefer to remain in denial.

Pro-aborts offer to help.
We are always amused at the pro-aborts who offer to give us advice on how to stop abortion. The Review opined that GAP "hinders" discussion and debate. They asserted that “brutal images only serves to alienate, not instruct.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do the pictures not hinder debate, the pictures actually make real debate possible. We can't have a rational debate about abortion?is it right or wrong, is it moral or immoral, should it be legal or illegal?with people who do not understand two important facts: (1) the unborn child really is a baby, even in the first trimester, and (2) abortion is a brutal act of violence that kills. To discuss the morality and legality of abortion with people who deny basic facts is like discussing our Solar System with members of the Flat Earth Society. It can't be done.

Our work can continue only if you help!  To make an on-line donation to our work:
https://id28.securedata.net/abortionno/CBRSoutheast/creditcards.html
 
To arrange your automatic monthly bank draft to support our work:

1. Download and print the Electronic Gift Transfer Authorization:
http://www.abortionno.org/pdf/ElectronicGiftTransferSE.pdf
2. Fill out the form.  Make sure you designate the gift for "CBR Southeast"
3. Enclose a voided check or deposit slip bearing the account number of the account we should draft.
4. Mail the Transfer Authorization form and a voided check (or deposit slip) to CBR Southeast, P.O. Box 20115, Knoxville, TN 37940.

Please pray that God will raise up others to help you support this life-saving work!