CULLMAN – A pro-life rally gathered Saturday morning in the parking lot of the Cullman County Courthouse. The rally, organized by local woman Katie Thompson, was part of a national movement against abortion and abortion providers, particularly Planned Parenthood.
The rally began with a Bible reading and prayer from pastor Andrew Siegenthaler of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church. Thompson and co-worker Sue Turner then took turns speaking to the group about Planned Parenthood, advocating for everyone gathered to contact their senators or representatives and request them to defund the organization.
A reading from the Book of Daniel and another prayer were given, followed by Thompson and Turner passing out fliers and pamphlets, informing the group of ways to spread the pro-life message.
Thompson spoke at length about First Source for Women pregnancy center in Hanceville, where she works. The center provides pregnancy tests and a limited number of ultrasounds free of charge, as well as childbirth and parenting classes (which allow mothers to earn "mommy bucks" to spend on supplies that the center provides), mentor programs for fathers, referrals to OB/GYNs or community resources, adoption support and post-abortion counseling. Both women mentioned that the center would be unveiling a new mobile unit later this year that will provide services throughout Cullman County.
When asked if she thinks requiring high schools to provide more comprehensive sex education would reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, Turner says she doesn’t believe it would. "Sex education, for the most part, is providing contraceptive methods that only reduce the risk of getting pregnant and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases," she said. "They do nothing to protect the emotional well-being of the people involved."
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