The Jefferson Street protester on life, freedoms

By Ron Maxson

As the guy responsible for the demonstrations infringing on others’ rights in front of Planned Parenthood, I find this dialogue is most encouraging. As a guy who invested two years in combat, fighting for the principles enunciated in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in our Constitution, I find the freedom to express even very controversial opinions very precious.

As a guy with four adopted children in my family, I feel the responsibility to speak out for the unseen little ones with no voice. It is a grave obligation toward the most important of our rights, the right to life, even if other lesser rights are infringed.

When in the course of human affairs a government oppresses one category of humans in favor of another, it is the responsibility of everyone to work to rectify the injustice. After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision imposed national sanction for unjust oppression of slaves, the people who knew black men are fully human used every way short of violence to express their controverted opinion: books, signs and demonstrations decried the outrage of enslaving fellow humans. But the injustice went unremedied, and history tells the story.

What is more precious than the right of every innocent human being to life, from the moment of conception to the natural end of life in death? If there is doubt about when life begins or ends, it seems reasonable, even obligatory, to err on the side of protecting that life. The Roe v. Wade decision admitted that the justices couldn’t be sure when life begins but then went on to create the option to kill life in the womb through all nine months. Even fully formed children, with only their heads held out of sight in the womb by the doctor, were unprotected: “Choice” to kill a human that we can see but still can’t hear. I believe they were dead wrong. Innocent life is too precious to remain indifferent about protecting, preserving and nurturing. So, how best to express our conviction to the indifferent, ignorant and misinformed? How to peacefully protest the killing?

Hopefully, the protection of children in the womb will not take the drastic course repeal of slavery took. Dialogue such as that generated by my signs and the good people willing to stand peacefully, praying for those mothers who ponder the awful “choice” will be a much more acceptable way to bring about the necessary change in our country — even if our demonstrations infringe on others’ rights.

(Maxson lives in Napa.)

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