Rally against RHAPP in Yonkers

The cold temperatures and unrelenting winds could not chill the spirits of the over 250 people who gathered for the prayer rally on Thursday, April 3, at 4 p.m. at Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) offices.

Multi-faith and multi-culture groups gathered to draw attention to the egregious bill that former Gov. Spitzer had been pushing. It's called RHAPP - Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act - and Andrea Stewart-Cousins introduced it in the Senate recently.

The new Governor, David Patterson, is Spitzer's man and he is on board, speaking to the pro-abortion lobby on the day Spitzer first spoke of his "problem". On the day of the rally in Yonkers, word came that Andrea Stewart-Cousins has recommended that it come out of Committee to the floor of the Senate for a vote. There are several versions of the bill that are being considered. No version is a good version since the bill is so dangerously harmful to women in its attempt to raise abortion in New York to a "fundamental right", in effect protecting it from regulation and restriction, removing it from the criminal code, and creating an environment that would force Catholic hospitals and other institutions that conscientiously object to abortion, to perform them. This bill will make women less safe, abortion less rare, put minors at great risk, and make New York State the biggest taxpayer-funded piggy bank for abortion coffers. This coming at the same time that the "not-for-profit" Planned Parenthood 2006-7 statistics report a $1.018 billion (that billion with a "B") income. Their profit line shows $114.8 million (Yes, yes they are a "non-profit", so technically it's called surplus. But it is their profit.)

Stewart-Cousins office is in the Hudson Valley Bank building on East Grassy Sprain Rd.

Advocates of Life and New Yorkers for Parental Rights sponsored the event that welcomed an inspiring list of speakers and attendees including: Rabbi Yehuda Levin, founder of Jews for Morality; Reverend Clenard Childress of Black Genocide; Judith Anderson representing New Yorkers for Parental Rights; Carol Crossed of Democrats for Life of New York; Leslie Diaz of New Yorkers for Parental Rights and wife of Sen. Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) who has been leading the charge in the NYS Senate against this bill; Suzanne Toppings, President of Women's Health Collaborative; Hector Ferrar, New Creations Drama; Fordham University Respect for Life; Reverend Valentin Rivera, President, Westchester County Hispanic Clergy Organization; Fr. Michael Morrow, St. Eugene's Roman Catholic Church in Yonkers; Bishop Hector Bonano, Executive Coordinator, CONLICO; ; and the Rev. Samaris Gross, New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.

Here are four of the speakers, starting with Rabbi Yehuda Levin who had a few colorful comments about NY politicians, while quoting scripture about the prohibition on licentious behavior and abortion/babykilling.

Carol Crossed of Democrats for Life of New York made the point that "47% of Democrats can't be wrong" in their opposition to abortion. The Rev. Clenard Childress of Black Genocide looks on.

And Judith Anderson, representing New Yorkers for Parental Rights, hit all the points on why RHAPP usurps the rights of parents -

 

Fr. Michael Morrow of St. Eugene's Roman Catholic Church in Yonkers

It was excellent to see a fine turnout by Fordham University students

After opening prayers and comments the group lined Tuckahoe Road before reconvening for several more speakers.

Richard Bruno from Rockland County ...

Uber rescuer, now Sister Maria Regina of the Sisters of Life ...

It was a great multi-faith, multi-cultural prayer witness and show of support for Advocates of Life and New Yorkers for Parental Rights. NYFPR president Jessica Shanahan (daughter of Carol Crossed) could not join us, but reminds us of their website NYFPR.org and abortionbill.org for the latest on RHAPP. The Women's Health Collaborative's website womenshealthcollatorative.org is also a great resource with links that all women will find helpful.

For even more pictures hit the link -   

 

Comments

[tom faranda]

This Rally was not reported on by the local Gannett newspaper.

[Theresa]

wow...looks great!
ps send me the picture of just the hand and the sign..I want to use it..

thanks

[LifeNet]

Theresa, we will send it to you.

[Floyd]

Great work Tom.

[Joy Dechiario]

Another great job. We need to be visible in the communities. It is a great way to keep the cause in the minds of all.
Thank you. Joy

[Colleen Barry]

Great Photos. I was there and event was excellent with great thumbs up response from passengers in cars going by and other drivers hunking and waving. From 4-6 on a week day that was a great response and there were many that called that couldn't make it but wanted to come.LIFE.

[Alice Lemos]

I wish I had been there! What a great rally! Where was Stewart Cousins hiding? This is a vile and dangerous bill. Spitzer is gone and this bill must go also! This bill puts women's lives in danger.

[Joanne L. Capone]

Thank you to all who attended the rally to support human life and oppose the draconian bill which would allow the wanton killing of NY unborn children at all stages of gestation and on demand including the utilization of unqualified health care personnel and perhaps the forced use of Catholic facilities to offer abortion on demand.

Joanne L. Capone
Vice President
NYS Democrats for Life

Executive Director
Capone De-Simone Institute for Peace and Social Justice

38 Harrogate Square
Williamsville, NY 14221
[email protected]
1-716-634-4357

[Eileen Peterson]

Alleluia. What a powerful witness to Life with LOVE. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your unselfish witness. Thank you for not being afraid to "GO TO THE STREETS AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF LIFE". Please pray for our Catholic politicians that they come to know the most basic protection for any of their constituents is their RIGHT TO LIFE and the most vulnerable among us who only want to LIVE are the helpless unborn. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, and reach out to our politicians with so much love and keep reaching out until the slaughter of the innocent and that innocent blood shed is no longer apart of our American Law.

[Rich Byman]

What a wonderful rally. Congratulations to all who followed Eileen Peterson's advice: "GO TO THE STREETS AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF LIFE".

Also amazing is the absence of coverage by the Journal-News. However, had they repoted on it, they would have been negative & biased.

[Anne Brasino]

God blessed America & HE blesses those who organized and those who participated in this rally, as well as those who could not be there in person but were there in prayer & spirit. The women and babies at risk, thank you for your efforts to protect the sanctity of their lives..for the outreach and assistance provided to keep them from making a devastating decision they would regret for life. Thank God for you who represent the light in the darkness - for being the intercessor between the Law making bodies and the victims.

How any legislator can introduce and/or support any bill that provides legal destruction of life and calls it health care that protects woman's rights; excludes the protection of any unborn child & puts the mother's life at risk, needs an epiphany; a change of heart; a heart to give courage & support; to always do the right thing.

What lessons are being taught by legislators when they determine by law it is OK to kill your own baby; that the life of the baby is worthless. If a baby's life is considered worthless, why would the mother believe a legislator consider her life worthy?

Life is given by God, and the RIGHT TO LIFE, is provided in our BILL OF RIGHTS. There is no Liberty and Persute of Happiness if Life is snuffed out. The Legislators and the anti-life groups know it they just won't admit it. Thank God they were not our forefathers.

Folks, pray for the legislators; for their conversion.

Now, where next Tony?