Have you heard about the EXCITING, ONE-TIME EVENT coming up, sponsored by Sidewalk Advocates for Life?
Spaces are limited and they are filling up fast, so be sure to sign-up and reserve yours today!
See here: https://sidewalkadvocates.org/webcast/
But more about that in a bit …let’s talk about “buffer zones“!
Some of you have expressed frustration about trying to peacefully sidewalk counsel with a “buffer zone” in your area. We understand the frustration, but we absolutely want to encourage you: you can still peacefully & effectively sidewalk counsel while dealing with a buffer zone!
Here’s a quick Q&A to help you navigate this topic…
1. What is a “buffer zone”?
A “buffer zone” is a law in some cities and states that prevents pro-life individuals from coming within so many feet of the abortion facility. Its intended effect is to prevent anyone — even peaceful individuals — from talking to women and men going into the abortion facility, even though that space would otherwise allow traditional First Amendment activity.
2. What’s the purpose of them?
Pro-abortion individuals may argue that buffer zones “protect” abortion center clients from violence, but in reality, tort and criminal law already do that. In that case, it isn’t necessary to draft a law that infringes on First Amendment rights.
Besides, nowadays, the vast majority of pro-life activism on the sidewalk is peaceful and law-abiding. In fact, the majority of incidents on the sidewalk today — while rare — are often directed towards pro-life prayer volunteers or sidewalk counselors.
Seeing the great numbers of mothers who have chosen life over the years lets us know that peaceful sidewalk counseling saves lives and transforms hearts — we obviously still need to be there to offer mothers-in crisis help and another way!
3. Which cities and states currently have buffer zones in the U.S.?
Currently, four states have buffer zone laws, including Massachusetts, Colorado, Montana and New Hampshire.
Many cities have buffer zones in place, including Chicago, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.
Be sure to research the law in your particular city or state.
4. Can I still sidewalk counsel with a buffer zone in my area?
In short …YES, absolutely!
While we recognize that this is an egregious form of viewpoint discrimination, you can still be just as effective in your peaceful outreach while dealing with a buffer zone!
How?
Well, it might push you back from the facility so many feet, but you can still reach out with your words as if you were reaching out through a fence or driveway. You can have colorful, helpful signage that can point people to the pregnancy center. And your peaceful, welcoming demeanor — along with proven tips and strategies we teach — will encourage people to walk a few extra feet to come over and speak with you.
5. Because this law is obviously unjust, can I break the law, cross the line and sidewalk counsel in the buffer zone?
This is our advice: Remember that our goal is to reach that woman-in-crisis. To effectively do so, we must remain peaceful, prayerful and law-abiding in everything that we do, so that we create a calm, “safe place” for her to come share her story when she is ready.
We don’t gain anything by losing this demeanor, but may actually create a situation where lose her, if the scene becomes agitated in any way. And — at the end of the day — we want you to be out in front of the abortion facility, praying and reaching out as long as possible.
Should you fight this law? Yes, please do so in your state houses and city council meetings. But make the sidewalk a peaceful place to reach that mother-in-crisis, even if you can’t get as close as before.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this month on the constitutionality of a 35-foot buffer zone outside Massachusetts abortion clinics in McCullen v. Coakley. As this will affect the “future” of all buffer zones, let’s continue to watch and pray.
6. What if I have questions about our unique scenario in front of the abortion center? How can Sidewalk Advocates for Life help?
We want you to know that Sidewalk Advocates for Life is here for you, and we are willing to come to your location and help you come up with the perfect set-up to still effectively reach mothers and fathers who need your help!
Questions? Please contact us at info@sidewalkadvocates.org! Thank you!
Heard about this EXCITING, NOT-TO-BE-MISSED, ONE-TIME EVENT?
In the months ahead, we have unprecedented opportunities to save lives, transform hearts and help end abortion through the grace of God!
You are invited to attend a ONE-TIME-ONLY teleconference and web simulcast event on Tuesday night, July 1, 2014 at 9 PM Eastern / 8 PM Central / 7 PM Mountain / 6 PM Pacific to learn…
- The INCREDIBLE RESULTS of the first few months of Sidewalk Advocates for Life’s BRAND NEW sidewalk counseling program, including…
- lives saved
- hearts transformed
- workers who have left
- healthcare alternatives shared
- and MORE
- …and why it’s working!
- THE NEW FACE of pro-life outreach and why it’s so effective…
- THREE HUGE ANNOUNCEMENTS that will share groundbreaking strategic plans to help mobilize more people, transform more hearts and minds and save more lives than ever before…
- And how YOU CAN HELP END ABORTION in the town or city where you live…
Be sure to grab your spot now on this FREE, ONE-TIME ONLY event by registering at https://sidewalkadvocates.org/webcast/! Even if you can’t listen right at event time, go ahead and register so a recording of the event is delivered to your inbox, afterward.
Again, we look forward to having you join us for “GAME-CHANGER” on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 6 pm PST / 7 pm MST / 8 pm CST / 9 pm EST as we share with you the EXCITING NEWS and celebrate what’s ahead!
WEEK 12 DEVOTIONAL: ASK IN FAITH
by Lauren Muzyka, Executive Director, Sidewalk Advocates for Life
Verse(s): “Jesus said to him in reply, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’” – Mark 10:51
Reflection: What faith the blind man had in Christ to bless, heal and redeem him!
Quite often, we get so caught up in problems, the culture battle, conflict between pro-life groups and so many other things that we fail to remember that God is big enough to redeem all of this …and so much more!
But first, we have to ask for help! We have to be willing to humble ourselves, get on our knees, go to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him for what we need.
Quite often, He is simply waiting for us to ask in faith; and as He makes Himself available to us, we must respond in return.
These verses show us that God is big enough to take even the holocaust of abortion and end it. But we must be willing — as He is in our midst — to pray, to trust, and then act in faith.
Call to Action: Get on your knees today and entrust your biggest prayer requests to Our Lord, knowing He will answer you and give you His best! Then, ask Him what you can do personally to end abortion.
Know that He is big enough to solve any problem, any scourge that our nation and world may face.
Christ will be with you in all that you do as you seek to save His little ones!