By John Ryan
Oftentimes when dealing with social justice issues we are all about boycotting companies who profit from such injustices or castigating individuals who cooperate with it. Those are the kind of stories that go “viral.”
But how often do you get a chance to reward a company or individual who does the right thing? Encounter a story about individuals who see an injustice and immediately do the right thing? Put their jobs on the line rather than be associated with it? And a company which instead of firing them, actually stands by them? Does the right thing?
This is one such story. A “restores your faith in humanity” type story.
It began [last month] when Defenders of the Unborn in St. Louis learned of a hastily planned abortion celebration for Hillary Clinton—arranged by local pro-abortion politician Missouri State Rep. Stacey Neuman and featuring none other than Cecile Richards, president of Planned Barrenhood.
The celebration was hosted by Planned Barrenhood abortionist Coleen McNicholas and her sidekick, anesthesiologist Julianne Donnelly. It occurred Sunday morning March 13 at a home in Ladue, an upscale St. Louis area community. Since Hillary’s supporters decided to bring abortion to the neighborhood, Defenders decided to bring “the rest of the story,” picketing with graphic signs of what Coleen does to human beings.
We arrived in time to greet most of the abortionists’ guests. I stood with 13 others across the narrow drive directly in front of the home. We all held signs. I balanced two, five-foot tall graphic signs of what abortionists do to human beings. The party goers had to walk past us. Most averted their eyes and were escorted up a short sidewalk by abortionist McNicholas who wore BLOOD RED heels. Several gathered on the front porch.
Across the street stood two 20 something year old valets who were there to park cars. They did not avert their eyes. I could see one of them was most particularly disturbed, so I pointed to the sign and said, “This is what they’re celebrating.” His face contorted as he said: “Sick.” We later learned his name is Devon (the one on the phone in the picture below).
Devon and his coworker (Matt) had a brief conversation. Then I could hear Devon on the phone: “This is an abortion celebration. I’m not willing to be a part of that. I don’t care if I lose my job. This is sick.” When he got off the phone he told Matt, “I’m going to give them the keys to the four we already parked and we’re outta here.” He walked up to the porch and handed the keys to the abortionists. They looked befuddled. I heard bits of the brief conversation including a comment about “killing” and “a sick celebration.”
It brought to mind a speech by abortion survivor Gianna Jessen in New Zealand when she challenged the men in the audience to step up: “Men, you are made for greatness!” It occurs at the 11:50 mark of this video.
This is what greatness looks like.
It took these two young men about two minutes to do the right thing. It is what all of us should have done on January 23, 1973. Imagine if abortionists had to build their own mills, do their own plumbing, deliver their own mail, build their own vacuum suction machines. Just a week before at Coleen’s mill I challenged an elevator repairman and a few days later a heating and cooling contractor not to do business there as they were being paid with blood money. The former quoted his substantial salary and the other just smiled and kept working. And yet these young men knew what to do.
Devon and Matt lost a day’s wages and tips and for all they knew their jobs for doing the right thing. How often do we get a chance to witness and honor such greatness?
I think of Chet Gallagher who years ago put his police career on the line and joined a pro-life rescue in full uniform.
Devon and Matt are in some pretty select company.
The morning after the event I spoke with Chris, VP of Clayton Valet, who admitted that firing these young men was “a consideration,” but after they explained why they quit he agreed with them. He also confirmed the company was not told this was an abortion celebration. I asked how much the company was out for not fulfilling the contract and he said $375, but not to worry about it. Asked if there were any legal implications for not honoring the contract and he said, “I haven’t heard anything yet but it’s still early.” He gave me the names of the valets and appreciated it when I told him we were taking up a collection.
Somehow these young men were prepared to do the right thing.
And when that opportunity presented itself, they did. They didn’t have to form a committee. Call their lawyers. Check their bank account. They, like Chet, did the right thing. And if you remember back when you were in your 20s, there wasn’t a whole lot of extra cash laying around.
We also know most companies would have fired these guys on the spot. Just listen to the officers and chief justifying arresting and firing Chet.
So how to honor such greatness?
Defenders of the Unborn has set up an account where donations for Devon & Matt and/or Clayton Valet can be sent. Defenders will then forward all donations to the designated person. All gifts are tax deductible.
If paying by check, please mark in the memo as to whom you want to receive your gift. If paying by credit card, Defenders has a Square Account and just needs all the information from the card, including the security code sent by snail mail, e-mail, or phone.
What else can you do? Well, the right thing of course! And perhaps you can pass this story on. Who knows, maybe a good guy(s) story might go viral, one person at a time.
DEFENDER OF THE UNBORN
PO BOX 892
ST. CHARLES, MO 63302
E-mail: defenseless@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 314-346-9052
Web: stl-defenders.org