Independent pro-life resource center joins growing list of pro-life, faith-based targets since Dobbs draft was leaked last month
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — A Dearborn Heights pregnancy center was vandalized June 20 in an apparent attack by pro-abortion rights activists.
Police responded to reports that the Lennon Pregnancy Center, an independent pro-life pregnancy resource facility at 24275 Ann Arbor Trail, was defaced in the early morning hours.
According to a Facebook post from the center, multiple windows and doors along the front of the building were smashed, and the building was spray-painted with graffiti.
Gary Hillebrand, president of the center, told Catholic News Agency the graffiti painted on the building read, “If abortion isn’t safe, neither are you.”
In the month and a half since a draft opinion was released indicating the U.S. Supreme Court may be poised to overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming days, pro-life resource centers and churches have been the target of increased vandalism and threats. In many of the attacks, vandals have left similar messages to the one spray-painted at the Dearborn Heights center.
The graffiti has since been painted over by police, and the smashed windows boarded up.
In its post, the Lennon Pregnancy Center said a printing business that shares the building was also vandalized.
According to the Detroit Free Press, employees at the center believe that the attack was carried out by the radical abortion-rights group, Jane's Revenge, in light of messages left at the scene and pictures of the damage posted online."
“We are saddened and discouraged by this act of violence, but we will continue to provide free assistance to the women and men that come to us in need of basic help for their children,” the post read. “We will continue to offer free parenting classes, free pregnancy testing, and free ultrasounds. We will continue to help our community that comes to us in need of diapers, clothing, and baby items such as car seats, pack n plays, strollers, bottles, blankets, pacifiers and in the middle of a formula shortage, free formula.”
According to Hillebrand, damage to the center will cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to repair, and the center has ordered additional security cameras to help protect staff and clients.
The Lennon Pregnancy Center said it provided aid to 97 individuals in the past month, which included 232 boxes of material goods, and 280 packages of diapers, among other services.
Pro-life and faith leaders have called upon the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the increased attacks, which have included places of worship. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, from May 2020 to October 2021, there were at least 100 incidents of arson, vandalism and other destruction at Catholic sites across the United States.
On June 12, three pro-abortion protesters disrupted Mass at St. Veronica Parish in Eastpointe. One of the protesters, who was nearly naked, stood on a pew and chanted pro-abortion slogans before being escorted out by ushers.
The Archdiocese of Detroit said for the past five weeks it has been alerting pastors and parishes to be aware of security transgressions that have been taking place across the country.
"We are sad to see protestors disrupt a liturgical celebration and disrespect those who were gathered in prayer," archdiocesan spokesman Ned McGrath said. "All religious communities should be free to worship without fear. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, we are committed to accompanying women and families facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies and advocating for laws that protect the lives of unborn babies and mothers."
This article has been updated to include new information.
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