Update on the Jimmy Kimmel incident to deny pro-life protesters free speech rights

[We sent our intern, Josh Divine and his wife, Elizabeth, to Los Angeles, CA, this year to participate in two weeks of pro-life activist training with the Survivors. Josh has now returned from an eventful camp and shares his experiences in the following story. -OR Staff]

By Josh Divine

In what was described by several leaders as an extremely successful Survivors camp, around 90 pro-life youth congregated in Los Angeles, Calif., during the last two weeks of June to speak in place of the silenced voices of the preborn.

After attending several seminars designed to aid the efforts of the pro-life movement, the Survivors took to the streets and neighborhoods, spreading the message about the truth about abortion to a state where abortion runs rampant.

The efforts of the Survivors saved the lives of five confirmed babies. Four of the babies were saved by sidewalk counselors outside of Family Planning Associates in Rosemead, Calif., and another baby was saved on Laguna Beach after the mother viewed graphic pictures of abortion and spoke with some of the Survivors.

In addition, the Survivors worked throughout the camp to stand up for their First Amendment right to free speech, a right that a light crew on Hollywood Boulevard tried to take away from the pro-lifers earlier in the camp.

Operation Rescue reported on a situation where a light crew affiliated with the Jimmy Kimmel Live show turned hot spotlights onto Survivor Ryan Bueler.

See http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/video-shows-attack-on-teen-by-jimmy-kimmel’s-tv-crew-and-false-arrest/ for the complete story and to watch video footage of the initial incident.

Survivors sent a letter to Jimmy Kimmel asking for an apology, and when none came, the Survivors demonstrated twice in front of Kimmel’s home and again on Hollywood Boulevard on the last day of camp.

After four Survivors gained tickets into Kimmel’s show and asked for an apology while Kimmel was on air, the Survivors were detained, but upon the rest of the Survivors chanting “let our people go,” the Jimmy Kimmel Live show pledged to never hire the light crew again. The four Survivors were released without citation.

Overall, the camp was extremely successful. The Survivors stood up for their First Amendment rights, and—more importantly—rescued five babies from the knives of abortionists.

In addition, the Survivors’ message was spread all across the Los Angeles area. The Survivors protested at an embryonic stem cell research lab at the University of California at Irvine and demonstrated at the following venues: Hollywood Boulevard, Laguna and Venice beaches, Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive, Evergreen Baptist Church (which is located directly across the street from a Family Planning Associates branch), and in front of the homes of an abortionist and Jimmy Kimmel.

The demonstrations involved informative signs and literature—as well as graphic signs—and were mixed with dialoguing. Many of the demonstrations also included die-ins (demonstrations where Survivors lie on the ground and are covered in a red cloth to symbolize the children who have been killed by abortion).

In addition to the public demonstrations, several Survivors were given the opportunity to appear on radio. Along with the Rev. Pat Mahoney and Brandi Swindel, ten Survivors spoke on The Vince Daniels show. Some shared personal testimony, and others debated pro-abortionists including one of the station’s employees.

Another success that the Survivors obtained was gaining the attention of Evergreen Baptist Church. Family Planning Associates, located directly across the street from the church, performs abortions on Sundays while the church-goers attend service. The Survivors’ demonstrating efforts brought one church member across the street to sidewalk counsel. In addition, an associate pastor at the church agreed that he would preach about the issue in the following Sunday’s sermon.

Though the Survivors camp only lasts for two weeks each year, it provides an excellent educational and training opportunity for young pro-lifers who will spread the message to their hometowns.

America has seen a decrease in the number of abortions being performed over the years and an increase in the number of people who label themselves “pro-life,” and it is organizations like Survivors that rise up the next generation to continue to spread the truth about abortion.

Des Moines, IA — Connections between the office of Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and a Planned Parenthood abortionist raise questions about whether a complaint filed against the abortion giant will get fair consideration.

Operation Rescue’s Cheryl Sullenger was contacted last week by Jane Ambrozic, a representative of the Iowa Attorney General’s office, who indicated that the AG’s office was unable to locate the complaint concerning the remote controlled distribution of dangerous abortion pills, known as telemed abortions. Sullenger provided Ambrozic a copy of the delivery confirmation letter that showed the complaint was received at the State House on June 24, 2010, along with the signature of the staffer who received the complaint. She also sent Ambrozic a digital copy of the complaint. Ambrozic acknowledged receipt of the files and that she was able to open them.

“There really is no excuse for the Attorney General’s dismissive attitude toward this complaint, now that we know that it has been received by his representative,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “While we hope that the Attorney General’s office will properly look into this complaint, connections between Tom Miller’s administration and Planned Parenthood of the Heartland that have recently surfaced are troubling. It certainly would not be the first time we have had to deal with corruption in a State Attorney General’s office.”

According to Attorney General Miller’s official web site, Dr. Linda Railsback, an 13 year employee of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland (formerly Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa), sits on his Crime Victim Assistance Board. In addition, the 2005 Iowa Attorney General’s Annual Report lists on page 37 a $7,000 disbursement of funds to Planned Parenthood. That money was funneled through the Iowa Attorney General’s office from the Federal Stop Violence Against Women program (VAWA).

“We find it ironic that a Planned Parenthood abortionist would be involved in a ‘violence against women’ board considering the violent means by which pre-born babies are aborted and the negative impact that abortion has on women, including increasing their risks for suicide and substance abuse. And that’s not to mention the frequent incidents of coerced and forced abortions that sidewalk counselors across the nation witness every day, which makes Planned Parenthood America’s chief exploiter of women. Railsback’s involvement with the A.G,’s office really shows a lack of good judgment on the part of Attorney General Miller,” said Newman.

“The connections between Miller’s office and Planned Parenthood represent a conflict of interest. Not only is Miller affiliated with a long-time Planned Parenthood abortionist, but he also has distributed thousands of tax dollars directly to Planned Parenthood’s coffers. Can Miller set aside his pro-abortion ideology and his professional and personal relationships with Planned Parenthood long enough to enforce Iowa laws without prejudice or bias? That remains to be seen.”

Hollywood, CA – The Survivors have released a video showing members of Jimmy Kimmel’s television crew burning a teenager with high-powered kleg lamps, then ignoring pleas that they stop hurting the youngster.

The teen, Ryan Bueler, was targeted for burning because he was exercising his First Amendment right to free speech by holding an abortion sign on Hollywood Blvd. in front of the Kodak Theater where the Kimmel crew was setting up to film a stunt for the Jimmy Kimmel Live show.

The video shows Survivor leader Jeff White and Operation Rescue’s Troy Newman attempting to stop the attack by turning the burning lights away from the teens. At that point, White was attacked by a member of Kimmel’s crew. His shirt was torn and his back sustained scratches. Newman was not injured in the melee.

Bueler suffered from reddened skin, akin to first degree burns. The lights were so hot that they partially melted his plastic wrist band and part of his sign.

When White then attempted to persuade a Los Angeles police officer to intervene, he was falsely arrested. Newman was threatened with arrest. The crew members who burned Bueler and injured White were not arrested. White was later released without any charges having been filed.

The Survivors later demanded an apology from Jimmy Kimmel for the illegal and injurious actions of his crew, but ha so far refused to apologize.

“This was a sadistic, unprovoked attack on a young man who was peacefully exercising his rights. Ryan was not interfering with the crew in any way. These men were behaving in a completely unprofessional and despicable manner. The attack on Jeff White and his subsequent arrest were vicious, illegal, and unfounded. We join with the Survivors in calling for a public apology from Jimmy Kimmel,” said Newman.

As a result of Kimmel’s unwillingness to “man-up” and apologize for the unacceptable and violent actions of his crew, the Survivors have staged protests at Kimmel’s Los Angeles home. There will be additional protests in front of Kimmel’s Hollywood Blvd. studio later today.

For more information on the Survivor’s protests of Jimmy Kimmel, click here.