WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Anti-Abortionists Give Funeral For Fetus

Anti-Abortionists Give Funeral For Fetus

By Wendy Suares
wsuares@wlbt.net

An unusual event marks the sixth day of abortion protests in Jackson. The group Operation Save America drew crowds downtown, where they had on display what they say is an aborted child.

It began like any memorial service. But inside the casket was what protestors say is an aborted fetus they named Rebecca. The event attracted more than a hundred to Smith Park, where many parents allowed their young children to see the unborn child. "This was murder and they need to see that this was a life. It was completely formed. It has 5 fingers and 5 toes," says Lisa Campana. 

National Director of Priests For Life Father Frank Pavone led the ceremony, that he says is a crucial part in the Pro-Life movement. "It's important to see the baby," he says. "So many people dismiss abortion in abstract terms."

But Pro-Choice demonstrators are quick to dismiss the event. Jamilah Hoffman: "It exposes the Hypocrisy of Operation Save America to have a fake funeral for a fake fetus when there are real people dying in Iraq," says Jamilah Hoffman, who is protesting this week with the World Can't Wait-Drive Out Bush Regime. 

Father Pavone says the fetus was anonymously donated to a pro-life activist in Washington DC about a year ago. Still some counter protestors doubt its authenticity. "Because who would bring something that disgusting here for people to look at," says Jack Orleans. "I don't think that's something they'd really do."

But the emotions were very real for a woman many consider an abortion icon. Norma McCorvey is best known as "Jane Roe" in the 1973 case Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. She has since become a Pro-Life activist. "She has completely rejected the idea that abortion should be legal. If Norma can change her mind, so can everyone else," says Father Pavone.

McCorvey joined in protests at the state's only abortion clinic Thursday morning, before heading to the memorial. Her only comment to us, off camera, was "This clinic is going down. Thank you Jesus."

The eight day abortion protest in Jackson wraps up on Saturday.