National Pro-Life Bus Campaign Holds Prayer Vigil Outside of Pasadena Planned Parenthood to Protest Abortion

A national anti-abortion bus campaign stopped in Pasadena Wednesday for a prayer vigil in front of the Planned Parenthood facility on North Lake Avenue.

United 40 Days for Life, which says its mission is to show local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, attracted a group of about 40 demonstrators who carried colorful pro-life signs and conducted a prayer vigil alongside heavy afternoon traffic.

Its rallies and prayer vigils aim to encourage Christians to stand together in a show of support “for the sanctity of life” across the nation, United 40 Days for Life said in a media statement.

“The objective is to come together to pray because with God we believe that all things are possible, as people of faith. Whenever people stand and pray outside of these abortion facilities, there are times when lives are saved. People do change their minds and do not go through with abortion,” said 40 Days for Life CEO David Bereit.

The group’s 40-day bus tour started in Washington, D.C. on September 28 and so far has visited 37 states. Pasadena is the group’s 92nd visit on their national tour. The California phase started in Redding on October 23.

“We know that not every life is saved and we know not every mother is spared from a life of regrets, but we are doing everything we can,” said Bereit.

Before the bus arrived, Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley President and CEO Sheri Bonner, President & CEO issued a statement which said the demonstration was designed “to intimidate the many patients who seek basic health care services from Planned Parenthood, including lifesaving cancer screenings, testing for HIV, treatment for STIs, family planning and birth control.”

“This is part of a concerted and politically motivated campaign ultimately designed to shut the doors of Planned Parenthood and ban abortion completely,” Bonner said.

Health services provided by Planned Parenthood are needed in the region, according to Bonner.

“At the end of the day, it’s not Planned Parenthood who suffers most from spectacles like this; it’s the women and men of our community who rely on Planned Parenthood for essential reproductive health care services. Approximately 1 in 5 women have relied on a Planned Parenthood health center for care in their lifetime — many of whom live right here in the San Gabriel Valley,” said Bonner.

In statements, both 40 Days for Life’s Bereit and Planned Parenthood’s Bonner referred to polls of American public opinion.

“Poll after poll reveals that an overwhelming majority of Americans feel our nation is on the wrong track and when pressed, many respondents cite growing disillusionment with politics and government, along with frustration over increasing attacks against faith, family, religious freedom, and human life. It’s time for this to change,” said Bereit.

“We know what the American people want. Time and time again, polls show broad, deep support for Planned Parenthood and the health care we provide,” said Bonner.