Bellevue, NE — Members of Rescue The Heartland were cited for unlawful picketing during a prayer vigil on Tuesday, May 2, in the neighborhood of abortion worker Sherry Hron, a long-term employee of the infamous partial-birth abortionist LeRoy Carhart.
Just three weeks ago, Judge Robert Wester dismissed all charges of unlawful picketing against members of Rescue The Heartland for conducting similar prayer vigils in the neighborhood of another abortion employee, Karen Pender. Ms. Pender has since quit working at Carhart’s Bellevue, Nebraska, abortion mill, claiming the prayers of the Christians contributed to her developing mental instability.
As citations were being issued, one of the officers was asked if he was aware that the past charges had been dismissed. Bellevue Police Sergeant Milos said that he was aware of the ruling, but told the prayer participants that he was acting on orders received from Police Chief John Stacey that the group was to be charged again.
Those cited were Larry Donlan, Greg and Mary Grace Hansen, Steve Zach, Manuel Cruz, Mary Jane Ziola, and Joe McDaniel.
The Truth Truck, on loan from Operation Rescue, spent the hour driving around the neighborhood exposing the horror of abortion and telling neighbors about Hron’s involvement in Carhart’s abortion business. At one point, a man walking by pulling a wagon with a cooler offered cool refreshments to all the pro-life participants.
“We are astonished by this blatant disregard for our civil rights, but we will not be deterred by this harassment,” said Rescue The Heartland Director Larry Donlan. “We plan to be in federal court by next week to file a civil rights lawsuit against Sarpy County, Chief Stacey, Prosecutor Lee Polikov, and each of the officers involved. It is unfortunate that we are forced to go to such lengths for them to understand that the First Amendment applies to Bellevue just as it does to the rest of the nation.”
“This latest round of charges amounts to nothing less than religious persecution by those who are attempting to shield the abortionist and his employees from the effects of the Gospel,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “We appreciate Larry Donlan and Rescue The Heartland, for their courageous dedication to saving the lives of innocent babies, and their genuine concern for the souls of the abortion workers.”
Acts 28:27-For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should then be converted, and I should heal them.
Luke 12:8 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men him shall the Son of Man also confess me before the angels of God. But he that denieth me, shall be denied before the angels of God.
Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the magistrates and powers, take no thought how or what things ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Luke 16:15 God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
….let us run with patience the race that is before us.
Hebrews !2:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, ….who endured the cross.
Ephesians 6:10 …be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in HIGH PLACES.
Matthew 24: 12 And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold.
Matthew 24:13 but he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against yo falsely, for my sake.
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN!
With a call to the right prolife attorneys, these little tin horn dictators will be making large contributions to the cause of saving unborn babies, without really wanting to.
I’m sure this will be “remove” but I agree with the police, a person’s home should be off limits. What happened to the purpose of the sidewalk counselors to provide help for the mothers. This appears to be nothing more than harrassment which only hurts the cause.