The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office locked out a group of prominent pro-life leaders who went there to demand information about what has happened to the bodies of the babies Kermit Gosnell killed in abortions and infanticides.
As LifeNews has reported, the ME’s office has refused information about whether the babies have been buried or cremated and will not released their bodies to pro-life activist Father Frank Pavone, who wants to give them a proper burial.
Pavone, Bryan Kemper of Priests for Life, and Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life of America went to the office today to see more information but were locked out. Hawkins provided a first-hand account of what happened to LifeNews:
The prayer vigil coalition of Alliance Defending Freedom, Christian Defense Coalition, Stand True, Priests for Life and Students for Life went into the Medical Examiner’s Office beforehand to tell them we were doing a prayer vigil and then would be bringing five people to deliver a legal letter – no cameras, no protest signs in the building. They told us only grieving family and friends could come in. We said we were, as the law says that anyone can come in and claim an unclaimed body.
We then went and held the prayer vigil and returned with Fr. Frank Pavone from Priests for Life, Rev. Pat Mahoney from Christian Defense Coalition, Bryan Kemper from Stand True Ministries, and Catherine Foster from Alliance Defending Freedom. As we were walking to the door, they hurried and locked it so we couldn’t get in!
They didn’t answer any of our knocks and said that we weren’t allowed in even though it’s a public building and we just wanted to drop off our letter (which asks where the babies are, if there is a plan for their burial, and how can we request to bury them).
Police came and took my personal information, then went in and talked to the people in the medical examiner’s office who refused to come out or let us come in. We asked the police to deliver our letter but they said they wouldn’t accept it. David Quain, Forensic Services Director, said it was over his head and plans have already been made for the babies but he wouldn’t tell us what they were.
We are issuing a national all call for pro-lifers to come here to stand for the dignity of Gosnell’s victims. It will be called a “Cry for Dignity” and take place on August 25 and 26 in Philly.
In the meantime, we urge you to make your voice heard by contacting the Medical Examiner’s Office at 215-685-7445 and asking for the release of these babies for burial.
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
The pro-life leaders in attendance:
The Medical Examiners Office is refusing to see us or look at our legal letter referring to the babies murdered by #gosnell
— Bryan Kemper (@BryanKemper) July 19, 2013
@BryanKemper @frfrankpavone @frfrankpavone @KristanHawkins were just denied access 2 med examiner by police @StevenErtelt @LifeSite
— Bryan Kemper (@BryanKemper) July 19, 2013
We were denied entrance to the medical examiners office and had police called on us as we asked for the babies… https://t.co/QxyRLUARmF
— Stand True (@StandTrue) July 19, 2013
Talking to police infront of med examiner’s office…while being locked out @lifenews @students4lifehq https://t.co/w6e6P15Otz
— Kristan Hawkins (@KristanHawkins) July 19, 2013
Waiting at the Philly Medical Examiners office where we will pray and then enter and demand they… https://t.co/Gptj31b9MA
— Bryan Kemper (@BryanKemper) July 19, 2013
@ Philly Med Examiners Office to pray and demand the release of babies #gosnell murdered pic.twitter.com/Myx3w9FnDe
— Priestsforlife (@Priestsforlife) July 19, 2013
