Monday, October 25, 2004

Abortion protesters target Milford Hospital
By MICHAEL P. MAYKO mmayko@ctpost.com

MILFORD — The Rev. Philip "Flip" Benham looked at his two dozen anti-abortion disciples demonstrating outside Milford Hospital early Saturday morning and said a silent prayer.

"You know it's amazing how much of an effect simple folk like these people are helping change our nation's view on abortion," said Benham, the national director of Operation Save America. "This battle for saving the lives of babies is being won in the streets."

Just a day after demonstrating outside Bunnell High School in Stratford, the group took their message to Milford Hospital where Marilyn Carroll, a city resident, said abortions are being conducted.

Group members carried signs vividly depicting images of aborted fetuses. One contained the words "What kind of city would allow this."

"Milford Hospital is known for a good prenatal and neonatal program," Carroll said. "But on the same floor they are also killing babies. It seems hypocritical."

Like Fridays's demonstration in Stratfrod, on Saturday there were no incidents. Several cars passed by honking their horns, some drivers gave them the "thumbs-up" sign; a few shouted obscenities.

We're going to be demonstrating at Bridgeport Hospital next," she said.

Benham, who earlier this year spent six months walking across America to bring attention to the war on abortion, believes it is groups like this that are responsible for the national decrease in abortions.

"The number of abortions have dropped tremendously nationwide -- almost 40 percent," he said. "The number of freestanding abortion mills, which were over 2,000 in 1991, are down to 726 today. That's an incredible drop."

Carroll's group has been demonstrating outside the Summit Women's Medical Centers, where abortions are performedc for more than a decade. She maintains the group has saved 1, 350 children from abortion by offering alternatives to pregnant women planning to enter the clinic.

They offer help with adoption services. They also provide baby clothes, formula and diapers to mothers who decide to keep their babies.