Anti-abortion demonstrators’ graphic display offends some in Niles

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Ada and Lucy Scheidler, daughters of Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, held up a poster of a newborn baby during a traveling demonstration that came to Niles on July 16. | Tracy Gruen~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: July 21, 2011 3:44AM

As drivers and pedestrians passed through the area of Golf Road and Milwaukee Avenue in Niles the morning of July 16 they were met with large posters displaying graphic photographs intended to deliver an anti-abortion message.

As part of the controversial Pro-Life Action League’s Summer 2011 Face the Truth Tour, volunteers lined up outside Golf Mill Shopping Center, near Toys“R”Us to display photographs of aborted fetuses alongside photos of healthy newborns for the purpose of sending an anti-abortion message.

Whle participants in the organized protest reported a positive public response, some shoppers heading to nearby stores said they were offended by the demonstration.

“It’s been going well,” said Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League Director. “We really haven’t had any problems.”

Scheidler described a positive response to the group’s message from passersby July 16.

“We’ve had a lot of thumbs-ups and waves,” Scheidler said, adding that generally when people are against the demonstration they will pull their cars up and talk to protesters. Sometimes, though, things get a little more heated and upset people yell at them.

During the tour’s stop in Arlington Heights this summer a group of teenage girls tore up a baby doll and threw the parts at demonstrators.

Scheidler’s young daughters, Ada and Lucy, during the Niles demonstration were holding up a giant photograph of a healthy baby, sending the message for people to choose life. Other bloody images of aborted fetuses were very graphic and disturbing to some.

“I’m not too happy about the kids seeing those things,” said Tom Sherry, of Chicago, who was walking into Toys“R”Us with his young son.

Sherry, who reported being Pro-choice, indicated he felt the protest was inappropriate.

“I think there’s a time and place for everything,” he said.

Arzu Sozuduz, of Des Plaines, while walking into Toys“R”Us during the demonstration, said she is Pro-life, but also found the demonstration offensive.

“I’m so happy my 4-year-old isn’t with me,” Sozuduz said. “That’s definitely not the way to do it. I’m disgusted.”

Scheidler contended that children are “naturally Pro-life,” and “naturally love babies.” He said exposing children to the images is a concern organizers hear the most.

“They kind of use that as a bit of an excuse,” he said.

Irene Doyle Sandler, a volunteer at the demonstration, said she decided to participate in the tour when she realized her own 21-year-old son, who grew up in a Catholic household, hadn’t been aware of what abortion involved and was shocked when he saw a photograph like those displayed in Niles.

“People are not to blame if they don’t know the truth,” said Doyle Sandler, who noted that she used to think the images were too graphic, but now feels people need to see them to understand the group’s message.