DEFEND LIFE BEGIN WITH PICKERINGTON, OHIO.

 

 

Several vehicles drove by today honking their horns in support of several Pickerington, Ohio pro-life residents opposed to the grand opening of Pickerington Medical Center of Dr. Mervyn Samuel.  Residents and surrounding area supporters staged peaceful protest against having the Medical Center who performs abortions daily at 670 Hill Road.  Rumors of a new medical center in the area stirred up residents and community leaders immediately.  However, now several months and several hundred supporters have come and gone and there is still no word of what will come of Pickerington Medical Center rather Dr. Mervyn Samuel will decide to stay or go.

 

The grand opening has caused the masses to stand in support or honk in support opposing having the new clinic in the area. Pickerington and surrounding area residents have been standing on the sidewalk in front of the clinic in silent prayer in hopes to show that they do not want the Medical Center in their area. Residents living behind the medical center stated that, “we do not feel comfortable living so close to the clinic knowing that they perform abortions there everyday. We are not supporters of abortions, and do not want yet another clinic like this in our community, and neighborhood.”

 

Although this is a new Medical Center to the Pickerington area, Dr. Mervyn Samuel currently operates a center in the Columbus area. According to Dr. Mervyn Samuel “Patients in Pickerington and Canal Winchester want us to be there, they don't have to drive all the way to Columbus.”  Recent information shows an all-time low in abortions throughout the country since 2009. However, in 2012 abortions in the Columbus area rose to on average 102 abortions every week.  

 

In 2009 the number of terminated births dropped from 232 to 227, which is a 2 percent decrease. It is no wonder why Pro-life groups and supporters like ColumbusBound4Life participate in peaceful and prayerful protest. Pro-life supporter and Right to Life program leader Vickie stated, “many residents have come by in support of us, and residents passing by often stop and bring us coffee. We have seen a tremendous support from the community already and we are finding out how much the community is against having another clinic that aborts babies every day.” Vickie was happy to hear the information that there was a decrease in abortions throughout the nation and stated that, “this is what we want in Columbus!”

 Since the beginning of the recession and new laws passing to prevent abortions such as the Heartbeat Bill passing in Ohio which, “requires the abortionist to check to see if the unborn baby the pregnant woman is carrying has a heartbeat. If the child has been found to have a heartbeat, it requires the abortionist to let the mother know this. If the baby is found to have a detectable heartbeat, that child is protected from being killed by an elective abortion.”  Although pro-life supports are in great support of the bill, pro-choice supports worry that, “the bill fails to include any exception for rape or incest victims or for the mental health of the mother.” These concerns stipulate that unsafe abortions can become an issue moving forward.

 

Early before the passing of the Heartbeat Bill, The Columbus Dispatch reported that, Backed by Ohio Right to Life and other anti-abortion advocates, the bill stalled last spring over concern that it also would divert funding from hospitals, which was not the intent of supporters. The legislation would create a priority system for awarding federal family-planning funds, putting Planned Parenthood at the bottom of the list and probably cutting off about $1.7 million it uses for birth control and preventive care.

 

The money does not fund abortions, but supporters argue that tax dollars should not go to any organization that performs abortions.

 

Meanwhile, abortion foes might be nearing a compromise on the so-called “heartbeat bill,” which would outlaw abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected. That’s usually about five to six weeks into pregnancy, when many women don’t yet realize they are pregnant.”

 Pro-life supporters protesting against medical centers such as the Pickerington Medical Center of Dr. Mervyn Samuel, are trying to build support to choose life, however, no one has spoken about abortions in cases of rape and incest. Will Ohio decide to look over the Heartbeat Bill? No reports, or dates are known to be set at this time, to include this stipulation in the Heartbeat bill, several fear not having this stipulation can put several women’s lives at risk. However, pro-life supporters believe that in prayer the answers will be found and women even in these cases can choose life for their child, and by choosing adoption instead. This is why pro-life supports stand in silent prayer in front of clinics throughout the nation and now in front of the Pickerington Medical Center.