By REY FLORES
Americans across the country on June 7 took to the streets to help bring the truth about the dangers of contraception to the rest of the nation. The American Life League’s “The Pill Kills” campaign had an unprecedented number of sponsors — over 60 — among whom were well-known pro-life leaders like ChurchMilitant TV’s Michael Voris, and pro-life blogger Jill Stanek.
Many of the sponsoring organizations are already part of American Life League’s 120+ Associates who are at the frontlines of the pro-life battle, fighting 365 days a year against the Culture of Death.
I spent the “Pill Kills” weekend in Texas with ALL Associates Pro-Life Waco as we brought our life-affirming message to one of the busiest intersections in Waco. I was also honored to have been the invited speaker at Pro-Life Waco’s monthly second Sunday pro-life gathering.
I must say that Pro-Life Waco’s John Pisciotta is one of the most committed, selfless, and passionate pro-life warriors out there. After having taught economics at Baylor University for 32 years, Pisciotta now dedicates all of his time in retirement to bringing Planned Parenthood down.
When he attended a pro-life rally in 1995, Pisciotta knew that he could no longer sit along the sidelines. Planned Parenthood had just opened up a full-service abortion facility earlier that year that brought surgical abortion to Waco.
Collaborating with a fellow pro-life coordinator, he worked in the Austin, Texas, area. Pisciotta and Barbara Myers started out with a small newsletter that originally went out to only 25 people. Today, Pro-Life Waco has a mailing list of over 600 people in Waco.
Things became more challenging when Planned Parenthood decided to open up more freestanding abortion mills in the nearby towns of Marlin and Mexia in 2007. This made abortion and contraception distribution more available to women in the area, including two facilities in Waco.
Thanks to the persistent work of Pisciotta and the volunteers at Pro-Life Waco, the two satellite facilities closed down, eventually leading to yet one more closure in Waco, leaving only one Planned Parenthood location in town.
Today, there are no abortions performed in Waco. The only Planned Parenthood left standing provides the usual services, except for RU 486 and surgical abortion.
Aside from their usual presence at the remaining Planned Parenthood a couple of times a week, Pisciotta and the PLW crew also organize their annual 40 Days for Life vigils, place pro-life billboards around the city, and do monthly Life Chains and second Sunday gatherings to keep the community active and engaged.
Once a year, Pro-Life Waco also makes a huge impact at the annual Heart of Texas fair, where for ten days they distribute pro-life materials, talk to attendees, make new friends, and stand for the truth at one of the area’s most popular yearly attractions.
It’s kind of hard to miss Pro-Life Waco’s presence in the town that also claims to be the place where the Dr. Pepper soft drink was invented.
Pisciotta was blessed to have a small truck donated to Pro-Life Waco which acts as a moving billboard and also acts as a regular fixture outside of the Planned Parenthood Waco location. The truck is affectionately named “Carolyn” after longtime pro-life prayer warrior and activist Carolyn Knowles, who turns 90 years old this year.
I asked John to share his thoughts with other pro-life Americans: “Legislative victories are great. Still, the pro-life movement absolutely requires energetic commitments to the Gospel of Life in local communities. I pray this will be all local communities in collaboration and mutual encouragement.”
I am thankful for people like John Pisciotta, Barbara Myers, and Carolyn Knowles — just three regular people who have taken extraordinary steps simply by saying “No More” to the Culture of Death.
Pro-Life Waco was also the driving force behind the recent #CookieCott that organized a boycott of Girl Scout cookies because of their increasing association with Planned Parenthood and homosexual agendas.
It’s through the little things that great things are accomplished. Every Hail Mary we pray on our rosaries may seem inconsequential at the moment, but the fact that Planned Parenthood has almost been eliminated entirely from Waco, Texas, proves that each Hail Mary was really a volley of divine intervention on those places built to profit from the destruction of human beings.
“The Pill Kills” was a smashing success thanks to people like John Pisciotta and so many others across the United States, including Kristina Garza at Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, Pro-Life Wisconsin, Pharmacists for Life, and many, many more.
Our June 7 event commemorated the lamentable Griswold v. Connecticut decision that made contraception the law of the land back in 1965.
Please stay connected to “The Pill Kills” activities as we continue to fight against the Culture of Death at www.ThePillKills.com and at www.ALL.org.
Lastly, I ask that you prayerfully consider making either a one-time generous contribution to Pro-Life Waco or become a regular contributor and supporter of their terrific work.
Please visit Pro-Life Waco online at www.ProLifeWaco.com, call 254-644-0407, email John at prolifewaco@gmail.com, or send your contribution to Pro-Life Waco at 4200 Grim Ave., Waco, TX 76710-5149. Thank you.
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(Rey Flores is a Catholic writer and speaker. Email Rey at reyfloresusa@gmail.com.)
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