You Have To Be Their Voice. You Have To Tell Their Story.

My comments will anger some people I know.  But in my own defence, I can only say that an important point MUST be made. If not now, at this moment, then when?

Today’s The Telegram published a front page story entitled A Voice To Those Who No Longer Have One, dealing with yesterday’s vigil at the local Holiday Inn to remember murdered and missing women. If you are not familiar with this story, please read it if you can. It is reproduced in full below.

Is there anyone reading who would not agree that EVERY senseless act of violence against a fellow human being must be condemned? Then why do we not see our own local people, and society around us in general, hosting remembrance services like these for the thousands of unborn children of NL whose lives have been snuffed out in the same horrific ways as those women remembered last night?

Women killed with axes, screwdrivers, guns and hammers. Shot and stabbed multiple times. Stuffed in pillowcases. Killed by those who were supposed to love them.

Does this same horrific description of death not apply to the unborn human beings suctioned to their deaths at the local Morgentaler abortuary or poisoned by abortion pills or saline injections, or cut to pieces in D & E abortions?

Why is it right for the grieving family and friends to say things like,

There is no way to sugarcoat murder. We have to start telling it like it is, calling it what it is, speaking about it, and for people to listen (to) it.

but not right for me to say the same thing about these little babies likewise murdered before they even spoke a word? Just because they had no face, no voice and elicited few, if any emotions, over the course of their short lives. They are certainly grieved over by a host of other human beings who value life at all stages. More importantly, their deaths are mourned by their Creator more so than by any other being.

I ask again, “Why shouldn’t I be able to say these things also?” Even some pro-lifers will accuse me of “fetal tunnel vision (FTV)” but I think the argument splits hairs and is simply too cerebral, too disconnected from the everyday horror of abortion in our society. I’ve asked these kinds of questions before, in the face of mass tragedies. My questions are still as valid today.

Perhaps some who share intimately the grief of these murdered and missing women will accuse me of somehow detracting from the awfulness of the violent crime but I can assure you that in no way are my comments meant to minimize their tragic losses. Instead I make a statement on behalf of other murdered victims who are likewise worthy of mention, worthy of a vigil of remembrance, because they too are equally priceless human lives cut short by horrific acts of violence. My statement attempts to lift them out of their secret darkness and their undignified burial grounds, the garbage bins, incinerators and dumps of our local neighbourhoods.  

Until we recognize and respect the sacred worth of these human beings as well, I will continue to make my statements at every available opportunity.

We have to start treating people with dignity and respect and kindness, and we have to model that behaviour. ... We have to teach our young people about healthy relationships. They have to know very early on what abuse looks like.

We have to be their voice. You have to be their voice. You have to tell their story. You have to tell anyone who will listen. You will have to tell it often, and you will have to keep repeating it over and over to another person. And every person that you tell, ask them to tell someone else. If we don’t get the word out…

"But I'm not convinced that the Unborn are human beings!" Really, that's so disconnected. But whatever!  Go here.

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A Voice To Those Who No Longer Have One

Andrew Robinson

Published on February 04, 2014

Harrowing vigil remembers murdered, missing women

WARNING: This story contains disturbing content

At a vigil for murdered and missing women and girls at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s Monday night, names were read from a card, the card was placed on a table and a candle was taken by the person reading it.

 — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

The pattern was obvious as the names of 68 women were read in front of a large crowd who gathered Monday night at the Holiday Inn in St. John’s.

Graphic details concerning those who were murdered (some were missing, but presumed dead) left little to the imagination.

Killed in front of their children. Killed while pregnant. Women killed with axes, screwdrivers, guns and hammers. Shot and stabbed multiple times. Stuffed in pillowcases. Killed by those who were supposed to love them.

The horrifying details were made even harder to stomach at times when stories were shared by those who knew the victims, either as family members or friends.

Many were audibly emotional, speaking with quivering voices as they shared the story of a loved one’s tragic demise.

The painful emotions linked to the vigil held to remember women and girls either murdered or missing in Newfoundland and Labrador were central to the reason why it had to take place, according to Connie Pike, executive director of the Coalition Against Violence — Avalon East.

“We knew it would be difficult, but you know what?

“There is no way to sugarcoat murder. We have to start telling it like it is, calling it what it is, speaking about it, and for people to listen (to) it.”

Most of the names listed in the program for Monday’s event involved dates spanning the last two decades. Leslie MacLeod of Marguerite's Place noted organizers were aware of 61 names a week ago (some were listed as “unknown,” often tied to murder-suicides), but the list grew to 68 since news of the event spread through media reports.

The earliest date linked to a murder involved Mary Hearn, killed in June of 1815 in St. John’s. She was violently assaulted and beaten to death by her husband.

Veronica Lewis, killed last fall at the age of 57 after a car hit her that was allegedly driven by her boyfriend, was the most recent victim.

Pike, who is also a former Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer, said the province’s justice system cannot be expected to fix the ongoing issue of violence against women, as the vast majority of incidents go unreported.

“There were women in this city last night who were beaten. There are women tonight who will be beaten, and tomorrow night. Sometimes the children see, sometimes they don’t, but they’ll always know. We have to start treating people with dignity and respect and kindness, and we have to model that behaviour. ... We have to teach our young people about healthy relationships. They have to know very early on what abuse looks like.”

The fact Monday’s event functioned as a means to link so many tragic events in the province’s history together proved to be an important step in honouring the memories of those who could not be present at the vigil, in Pike’s view. While it is beneficial for people like herself to share the stories of those who were killed, Pike said those stories become much more impactful when shared by family members and friends.

“These women and girls no longer have voices. We have to be their voice. You have to be their voice. You have to tell their story. You have to tell anyone who will listen. You will have to tell it often, and you will have to keep repeating it over and over to another person. And every person that you tell, ask them to tell someone else. If we don’t get the word out — if we don’t stop this mayhem against women and girls — this list will grow and grow and grow.”