Pro-Life Student Arrested for Praying!

Dear Friend,

Right now, a graduate student from Northwestern University, Joe Holland, is fighting charges of civil disobedience for praying on a public sidewalk outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Chicago.

Since when is praying civil disobedience?

Last fall, the Chicago City Council passed an unconstitutional “Bubble Zone” Ordinance which requires a pro-life Options (Sidewalk) Counselor to remain 8 feet from a woman entering a clinic. But there is no law or ordinance that states how far a person can be from the door of the abortion facility or whether a person can stand on a public walkway near a facility.

On July 3rd, Joe Holland was peacefully praying the rosary outside of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility when he was unlawfully arrested by Chicago police. (Watch the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVdYcJTeaNQ, to see for yourself!)

Tomorrow, August 3rd, Joe will have to appear in court again.

Students for Life of America (studentsforlife.org) and Law Students for Life (lawsfl.org) has partnered with Students for Life of Illinois and the Thomas More Legal Society to create a new website to help Joseph fight these unconstitutional charges.

So, please take 2 minutes today and visit www.arrestedforpraying.com and stand with Joe tomorrow!

Then, call Chicago Mayor Richard Daley at 312-744-9500 and ask him to drop all charges against Joe Holland and tell him Americans have the right to pray in public, even in front of abortion facilities! And if you live in or around Chicago, stop by his office to let him know the charges are unconstitutional!

And, sign our petition at www.arrestedforpraying.com demanding that the charges be dropped in Joe's case!

I know that you are just as concerned as I am, and that is why I am emailing today. Make sure to keep Joe in your prayers and take a few minutes today to stand with Joe against these unconstitutional charges!

For Life,

Kristan Hawkins
Executive Director
Students for Life of America