You’ve heard the saying you can’t fight fire with fire.
In other words, violence isn’t overcome with more violence.
Well this is what Operation Rescue firmly believes, arguing that nonviolence is the key to the future of the pro-life movement.
Operation Rescue, one of America’s leading pro-life organizations, has been working to stop the unjust violence of abortion since its founding in 1986.
Based in Wichita, Kansas, it’s had an impact on the entire country.
The cornerstone of Operation Rescue’s ministry is nonviolent action. The organization “explicitly denounces violence in any form as a means of ending abortion.”
While most, if not all, pro-life organizations advocate for peaceful methods of ending the abortion movement, Operation Rescue is the most prominent ministry holding this view and is nationally recognized for its commitment to peaceful activism.
Nevertheless, abortion advocates have repeatedly tried to accuse Operation Rescue and its president, Troy Newman, of inciting violence against abortion centers across the nation.
When late-term abortionist George Tiller was murdered by extremist Scott Roeder in 2009, abortion advocates quickly tried to blame Operation Rescue and other pro-life organizations for the act.
Operation Rescue, however, was among the first to denounce Roeder’s actions, saying:
“We deplore the criminal actions with which Mr. Roeder is accused. The pro-life ethic is to value all human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Operation Rescue has diligently and successfully worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see to it that abortionists around the nation are brought to justice. Without due process, there can be no justice. In spite of these horrific events, we remain dedicated to working through all peaceful and legal means available to bring an end to the killing of innocent children through abortion.”
It would have been easy for pro-life organizations to celebrate the death of someone who had murdered so many babies, but Operation Rescue led the way in condemning Roeder’s act of violence.
The organization strives to uphold the integrity of the pro-life ethic, valuing all life both in the womb and out of it.
Meanwhile, their adversaries in the pro-choice community display contempt for human life across the board.
Operation Rescue has been repeatedly threatened by abortion activists. President Newman wrote:
“We have received literally hundreds of death threats… Our office has been vandalized three times… the FBI was in our office and picked up a stack of threatening letters that we received. We denounce violence in the strongest terms. The bloodshed must stop both inside and outside of the abortion clinics.”
Just as Operation Rescue’s commitment to the value of life extends to all humans, so the abortion industry’s devaluation of human life leads them to commit acts of violence against those of all ages and backgrounds.
In the spirit of peaceful change however, Operation Rescue is also trying to lead the way in showing forgiveness and grace.
Newman has expressed the organization’s desire to help women who have had abortions and other members of the abortion camp to move forward—even those who have threatened Operation Rescue and its employees.
“I have always believed that…we in the pro-life movement can forgive and embrace women who have had abortions, as well as those who actually participated in the killing of innocent children by abortion,” said Newman.
Newman and Operation Rescue’s commitment to nonviolent activism has led to surprising and unorthodox victories for the pro-life movement. The organization’s most notable victory involved buying—and closing down—an abortion clinic in Wichita.
Operation Rescue had the incredible opportunity to “convert that building from a place of death to a place where life is protected.” The organization erected a memorial to the unborn, offering women and families the chance to mourn their babies and heal from their loss.
The ministry hopes to continue this kind of work around the country, peacefully protesting against abortion clinics and doctors and creating change through love and mercy.
To learn more about the peaceful activism of Operation Rescue or to donate to their ministry, visit the official Operation Rescue website. To get updates about the current work of Operation Rescue, click here.
Pray for the ministry’s continued efforts, and praise God for the impact they’ve already had on America!