Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 26, 1993 TAG: 9308260011
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TANYA SCHEVITZ WILLS SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO LENGTH: Medium
Instead of sitting quietly at her desk, the shy 11th-grader challenged her English teacher's portrayal of God. After a debate, she went to the principal; ultimately, the teacher relented and also apologized.
Now, the blond 17-year-old has spurred other teens to stand up against what they believe is wrong.
Garaway and Hank Voss, also 17, have formed Stand Up For Life, a teen anti-abortion group that has picketed family-planning clinics in San Jose and Sunnyvale for four Mondays.
They expected about 15 teens to show up. Instead, more than 50 turned out.
"I've been sitting at home, and I realized I shouldn't just complain, I should go out and do something," said 12-year-old Laura Morris at this Monday's demonstration.
Terry Lind, director of community service for Planned Parenthood of Santa Clara and San Benito counties, said she thought the demonstration was a good way for the students to learn more about the democratic process.
"We certainly support every group's right to make their opinions known . . . as long as they stay on public property and don't harass our patients," Lind said.
Other advocates of abortion rights question the aims of the group and say youth involvement in opposing abortion is not new. Angela Bocage, a spokeswoman for Bay Area Coalition for Our Reproductive Rights, said, "This is not a new tactic. It is the same people under different names. These people are like Hitler youth."
Children have been in the front lines of anti-abortion activities for years. Dozens were arrested during anti-abortion efforts in Kansas, Louisiana and Wisconsin in 1991 and 1992.
Sixteen protesters under 18 - including one abortion-rights activist - were arrested during Operation Rescue's recent 10-day campaign in San Jose, Calif. The youths ran through police lines, blocked clinic entrances and violated city ordinances designed to protect clinic workers and patients.
Garaway said some members of Stand Up For Life took part in Operation Rescue's siege. She and her 15-year-old sister, Hope, were arrested twice. But Garaway insists she is committed to keeping this new group peaceful and will not pursue civil disobedience.
"We are just practicing our right to freedom of speech. I think it is very important not to do anything illegal."
Stand Up For Life kicked off a weeklong vigil Monday. More than 15 people, ranging in age from 5 to 17, stood on streets, a block from Sunnyvale's Planned Parenthood clinic, quietly singing and holding signs decrying abortion as murder.
After school starts, the teens will continue to picket abortion clinics every other Saturday and they plan to expand their efforts into other areas.
The group is developing a newsletter and wants to perform dramas in high schools about issues that face teens, such as the benefits from sexual abstinence and how to gain self-esteem.
Sherry Garvey, assistant superintendent of the Santa Clara Unified School District, said each district was autonomous and would have to determine whether to let the group make a presentation.
Girls who have decided to keep their babies will find a friend in the group, Garaway said. Stand Up For Life wants to begin fund raising to provide money for teen parents.
"Right now, our financial resources aren't that deep," said Voss. During the group's first demonstration, a man driving by was so excited by their activities that he jumped out of his car and gave them $15 - all the money he had in his wallet.
The youth group will work with Crisis Pregnancy Centers, started by Garaway's father, and institute an "Adopt a Girl" program to provide homes, clothing and baby sitting for young mothers. They say they will even invite them to stay in their homes if necessary.
by CNB