FRONT ROYAL, Virginia — On Saturday, September 17, more than 300 pro-abortion militants attacked a much smaller group of pro-life demonstrators, who had gathered to pray peacefully in front of a hospital in Paris where abortions are committed.  During the attack, elderly people were thrown to the ground, despite attempts on the part of French riot police to protect them. A man in his fifties was shoved against the window of a café which shattered. Yet, the pro-lifers continued to pray. Jill Stanek and Pro-Life Planet report on the story here.

In response to the violent assault on peaceful pro-life witnesses, Fr. Peter West, Vice President for Missions for Human Life International, said, "If people advocate violence to solve the problem of an unwanted pregnancy, can we be surprised that they resort to violence in order to silence anyone who disagrees with their views?

"A man from France who witnessed this violence told me 'These events gives us a glimpse of a dark moment for our country, more than ever we must pray and pray again, because prayer is stronger than violence.'

"Since the French media have apparently ignored this story, Human Life International is calling for French President Nicholas Sarkozy to unequivocally condemn these attacks, and to ensure that peaceful demonstrators will be protected against such senseless violence in the future.

"Please pray for pro-life Christians in France and throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith and their defense of life. Pray also for the misguided souls who are responsible for these attacks and the violence committed every day against pre-born children."

About HLI: Human Life International: Pro-Life Missionaries to the World. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world’s largest international pro-life organization and has affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org

###