Anti-Abortion Campaign Camps Out For 40 Days

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Anti-abortion activists have been camped out near a Tulsa abortion clinic 24 hours a day for the last three weeks. The campaign continues through the end of October.

It's called 40 Days for Life, an anti-abortion campaign camped outside a Tulsa abortion clinic. There have been people sitting here 24 hours a day, for about three weeks. With the campaign half over, more than 200 supporters came out to sing and pray.

"The pro-abortion movement is so loud in the country, but you can see also that the pro life movement is extremely loud. And we just need to be louder," said protestor Sarah Sousa.

Protestors say they're not confrontational, just hopeful.

"Moms who are expecting babies, who feel so lost and hopeless and like nobody cares. But there are people who care. Who want to help, whether it's to keep the baby or adopt the baby. Just give the baby a chance," Sousa said.

Sue Ames is counselor at Reproductive Services. She says most patients are in their 20s, and everyone has carefully thought out the decision beforehand.

"Most people say they're not ready. Or that they can't afford another child. A lot of patients are single mothers already," Sue Ames said.

"They want to do a good job. They realize that parenting is a life-time proposition; it's not something to be taken lightly."

Her husband also works at the clinic.

"We are just as pro-life as anyone," said Roger Ames. "We just more concerned about the women who come in here relative to any other concerns."

Protestors say the baby can't be taken out of the equation, and they hope by raising awareness, women will make a stand against abortion.

Both sides said that the 40 Days for Life Campaign is not disruptive.

The counselors say they understand the fundamental difference of opinion, but they appreciate the respect the protestors are showing for their patients.

A new Oklahoma abortion law is set to go into effect when the protest ends November 1. That law requires abortion doctors to post a host of personal information about their patients on a public website.

That law is currently being challenged in Oklahoma County District Court.