Truth is Banned From the Streets of Granite City

See article by Jayne Matthews, News-Democrat, following Angela Michael's article.

Truth is Banned From the Streets of Granite City
City officials pass ordinance 13-1 banning graphic signs from public view
Galatians 4:16 “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
By Angela Michael

WWJD…Yes, Granite City , Jesus would show graphic signs! When words fail, God speaks to us in living parables (pictures).

Truth has stumbled into the streets because Granite City refuses to recognize the blight on its city, the eyesore, so the truth has come to the streets through God's remnant.

The truth of what is happening in Granite City is being banned. Truth-tellers are threatened with arrest. Granite City houses and protects a notorious abortion mill referred to as the Hopeless abortion mill where over 400,000 babies have been slaughtered and numerous women butchered and victimized in the past thirty-two years through one little word, “choice.” There seems to be a silent covenant between this city and the Hope(less) abortion mill, “You don't bother me - we won't bother you.”

No parental consent is needed and they specialize in late term abortions; Illinois is the only state in the Midwest where there are no restrictions on child killing. Once known for its booming steel mill industry, families came from all over the nation to work. Granite City is now known for its baby-dumping mill. Families are still coming from all over…to kill.

Proclaimers praying outside City Hall

An incident at the annual Santa parade this past November inspired the city fathers to ban the messengers rather than deal with the message. An injunction was denied by a federal judge this past week on this proposed ordinance. A reporter informed us they would be voting on the ordinance this evening. We were turned down when we requested to be placed on the agenda in order to address the city council before the vote. A small remnant accompanied by our attorney prayed before we went inside City Hall.

Inside the courtroom

We noticed a larger police presence than normal. Reporters did some interviews with us. Mayor Ed Hagnauer called the meeting to order, then introduced his personal priest Fr. Larry Brunett to lead in prayer. Most of the council and officials were Catholic. There was a spirit of religiosity. They played up to the spectators and the cameramen. The general feeling was city officials and inhabitants of this town are co-existing with evil, and that's not a problem.

The mayor began by stating he was hungry for change and Granite City was very “pro-active”. A homeless couple was called to the podium. It seems the mayor and city inspector evicted them from their dwelling around Thanksgiving with their three children all under the age of 16, because their home contained black-mold. The woman pleaded with the mayor, “You promised to help us find housing. Now my family is split up; we've lost everything, our belongings. We didn't have a Christmas, even our keepsakes have been lost because you threw us onto the streets.” 

The mayor looked over to the city attorney then told this distraught woman to phone him next week and he'd see what he could do.

There was some discussion on street repairs. I began reading my Bible when I heard one of the aldermen announce, “We will now vote on the sign ordinance.” I looked up and they were taking a vote. The reporters and cameraman turned and focused on us to catch our reaction to the vote. I smiled, continuing to read Matthew 10:17- 25 “ Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved...” All of a sudden, I couldn't hear any discussion and a feeling of weight being lifted off my shoulders came over me. The last time I felt that was years ago on the sidewalk in front of Hope Clinic when I fell to my knees and began repenting and confessing to the Lord and asking Him into my heart.

Angela speaking to reporter

I had been dealing with the persecution our daughter Mia experienced and the injustice meted out to us, so this new feeling was euphoric. God was in that courtroom and He was letting me know, “You're not alone.” He was right there beside me helping me to carry my cross. He protected me by closing my ears. I looked up when someone tapped me on the shoulders and said, “It's all over. They passed the ordinance 13 to 1.” The reporter closest to me asked, “Any comments?”

“Yes, I thank God for that one alderman who voted against the ban. What I don't understand is the hold that this devil has on this city. If those signs are so offensive and ugly, then why are these religious men allowing it to happen in their city? Why are they so afraid of this abortion mill?” The reporter then spoke with our attorney and we were ushered out to the waiting media and small crowd in the hallway. We handed out the brochure “Would Jesus Carry Such Graphic Pictures?”

No More Children Dead

We gathered on the cold sidewalk for a closing prayer, giving thanks and praise to the King of Glory. After one final T.V. interview we drove 2 blocks east of the city hall and stopped to pray outside the abortion mill where midnight late-term abortions were underway. We were told 41 mothers were inside dismembering their children. In the cold wind and darkness we prayed asking God to bring this altar of sacrifice down and, “No more dead children, Lord.” We prayed for His grace as we persevere in the battle for life. The late evening news did a fair piece. They began by showing video of the attack on our daughter Mia, the very same assault that the Mayor and police kept denying ever happened. The reporter asked, “When are you going to stop?” I answered, “We will never stop; we will always speak the truth.”  

He is still on the throne!

Psalm 78:9 “The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle;”   What is so sad is that Granite City is equipped to fight the battle, it has all the weaponry it needs to fight this battle and win but they have to show up! They can bring Goliath down!

Granite City sign ordinance passes; protesters vow a fight

BY JAYNE MATTHEWS

News-Democrat

GRANITE CITY - Abortion opponents will go to court in an effort to get rid of Granite City 's new law against displaying large signs alongside parade routes, their attorney said Tuesday.

"We'll get an injunction against it and have it declared unconstitutional," said Jason Craddock, lawyer for the Small Victories organization and its leaders, Daniel and Angela Michael of Highland.

Craddock said he will file papers in federal court in East St. Louis within the next few days.

Only one alderman, Tim Elliott, voted against the law that limits to 8.5 by 11 inches the size of signs within 25 feet of a designated parade route.

"I thank God for that one alderman," Angela Michael said after the law passed with no discussion.

The sign law was proposed in the wake of scuffles on Nov. 19 between anti-abortion demonstrators and spectators at the city's annual Santa Claus parade.

Some parade watchers objected to large signs with graphic pictures of aborted and dismembered fetuses that were displayed near children.

Small Victories frequently holds demonstrations outside Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City . The clinic is the only abortion provider in Southern Illinois .

The Michaels were unsuccessful last week in persuading a federal judge to bar Granite City from passing the sign law. Their lawsuit against the city, which claims Granite City Police routinely fail to protect them from abuse, remains pending in federal court.

The new law does not specifically mention abortion demonstrations, and applies to anyone who holds a sign along a parade route. It does not limit the size of staked yard signs.

Beside Christmas, Labor Day and baseball season, parades are held in the fall during Granite City High School's homecoming festivities and in the spring to usher in the Park District's children's baseball league season.

Contact Jayne Matthews at jmatthews@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 25.