Anti-abortion campaign has Hamilton mother fuming

A citywide blitz of graphic anti-abortion pamphlets has one Hamilton mother fuming even though she doesnt believe in abortion.

A representative from the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR) visited Liz Cabrals home on the West Mountain on Wednesday. The CCBR is a group based in Toronto and Calgary that is campaigning against abortion in Hamilton with graphic pamphlets at peoples homes and banners on highways.

• READ MORE: Graphic anti-abortion banner on Linc angers Hamiltonians
• READ MORE: Sherwood students face off with anti-abortion protesters

A truck carrying graphic signs has also been driving around Toronto and nearby cities, including Hamilton.

Cabral got a call from her neighbour Wednesday afternoon, telling her she had stuffed a door-hanger with a photo of a fetus into Cabrals mailbox so her 14-year-old daughter wouldnt see it.

A child shouldnt have to see pictures like that, Cabral told CBC Hamilton. If I want to discuss that with my daughter I will when its time.

Cabral says that she thinks many of the groups methods like demonstrating outside Hamilton schools are just wrong.

And I dont believe in abortion, she said. But I dont think that has anything to do with it.

I know that a gun kills people, but you dont have to fire a bullet at me for me to know that.

Stephanie Gray, co-founder and executive director of the group, said the images which she describes as graphic and disturbing are aimed to outrage people.

We have found pictures to be effective in changing minds and saving lives, we know of women who have cancelled abortions based on our pictures, she told CBC Hamilton.

The group has planned an 18-year campaign that began two years ago in Canada. Its Hamilton leg has started about a week ago, according to Gray.

This isnt ending any time soon, she said. Our philosophy is as long as children are being killed, the evidence will be brought to people's attention.

The group plans to stage further demonstrations on public property outside Hamilton schools. She would not say which schools.

Sherwood Secondary students arrived at school Tuesday to find demonstrators from the CCBR holding graphic signs of fetuses in front of the school. Students reacted to the protest and videotaped their response and posted it to the web:

We protested their protest, the video description reads.

There's an elementary school just behind this crowd and these people are coming in with their abortion signs, a student said in the video.

Hamilton police are aware the group is in the city and say they have been liaising with the Mountain police superintendent, Police spokesperson Const. Debbie McGreal-Dinning told CBC Hamilton in an earlier interview.

When it comes to demonstrations we remain neutral, our role is to protect the public, including those participating in the protest," she said.

Cabral says she hopes the group reconsiders the way theyre trying to get their message across and doesnt come to her home again.

Theres a place for that, and its not at my door.