Billboard is latest target in string of vandalism against pro-lifers in Indiana

Vandalism against pro-life ads in South Bend, Indiana, seems to be ramping up. Right to Life Michiana reports that one of its billboards, located on Mishawaka Avenue and Logan Street in South Bend, was spray painted this week. The billboard was intended to draw attention to the injustice of abortion near the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized elective abortion in all 50 states.

The billboard as originally posted reads, “Alive. Human. Unprotected.” It includes a web address for further information about Roe v. Wade. According to Pro-Life Michiana, the billboard “was vandalized with two different tags; one was anti-police acronym ‘ACAB’ and the other was anti-life message ‘Kill 200.’”

This is the third time in five months that outdoor advertising by Pro-Life Michiana has been vandalized. In September 2019, four advertisements on benches with information about abortion pill reversal and resources for mothers experiencing unplanned pregnancies were vandalized. Again, in December, benches advertising options for mothers were vandalized. The advertising company filed police reports for the incidents, but so far no progress has been made in finding the vandals.

READ: Pro-life ads vandalized a second time in South Bend, Indiana

Jackie Appleman, the executive director of Right to Life Michiana, said in a statement, “This is concerning. The vandalism is escalating from simply hiding helpful resources to promoting violence. Unfortunately, this isn’t surprising because the abortion movement is intolerant to other views and promotes violence.”

Pro-Life Michiana outreach manager Melanie Garcia said the organization will not be deterred in seeking future advertising opportunities. She said, “Nothing the abortion movement does is going to stop us. Nothing’s going to stop us from being out there and educating the public on the value of life and violence of abortion.” Garcia previously noted that local abortion groups have not condemned the vandalism.

Recent years have seen increased tensions between pro-life and abortion organizations in South Bend. Former South Bend mayor and current Democratic presidential primary candidate Pete Buttigieg allowed the Whole Woman’s Health abortion facility to continue operating in South Bend despite the fact that it remains unlicensed, and also voiced public opposition to a proposed pro-life pregnancy center opening near the abortion facility.

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