A 15-year-old pro-life student was sucker-punched during a violent altercation Saturday outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Roanoke, Virginia.
The unprovoked attack was captured on film by a Liberty University student. The teenager was part of a Students for Life of America group that was engaged in sidewalk counseling on public property across from the Planned Parenthood clinic.
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“It’s outrageous,” Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins said. “This act of violence against a group of peaceful pro-life students who were outside a Planned Parenthood facility offering love and support to pregnant women serves as a sad reflection on the state of debate today.”
Hawkins said a woman believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s accosted the student group early Saturday outside the clinic.
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Pro-lifers traditionally gather in the area on Saturdays because that is the day the clinic performs abortions. The young people were holding signs that read, “All people are made in the image of God.”
“During the initial confrontation, the woman came over and grabbed a sign from one of the students,” she said.
She also threatened to beat up the young people and vowed to “f*** them up.”
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A Liberty University student started filming the woman as she returned to the group, tried to grab another sign and then sucker-punched the 15-year-old girl.
“It’s horrific that a minor expressing love for pregnant women was targeted for violence,” SFLA spokesperson Kristi Hamrick said.
The victim, whom we are not going to name, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Roanoke Police were called to the scene, but authorities have not said if any charges have been filed against the assailant.
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The attacker’s name has not been released, and authorities did not return calls seeking comment.
Planned Parenthood did not return calls seeking comment on the incident, either.
Todd Starnes is host of Fox News & Commentary. His latest book is “The Deplorables’ Guide to Making America Great Again.” This piece originally appeared on ToddStarnes.com and is used with his permission.
(photo credit, article images: Planned Parenthood, CC BY 2.0, by Fibonacci Blue)
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