FIC Blog

[Sam Bailey-Loomis is President and founder of Branford High School Students for Life & Students for Life of Branford ~ PW]

Being an abortion abolitionist is no easy task. I can confidently say that abolitionists from all walks of life can agree. However, when people ask me why I do what I do, my only response is: “If we don’t, who will?”. Then they typically ask if it is all worth it. In my head, my answer is multifaceted, however, the one word that sums it all up is ‘yes’ of course.

I am the president and founder of Branford High School Students for Life. Our group just had our one year anniversary, and I cannot express how proud I am of all the courageous abolitionists in my group & what we have achieved. We all have suffered through great discrimination, bullying, and oppression from students at BHS, from administration, and people in the community.

For those of you who hadn’t heard about the latest news that included our group, or for those of you who haven’t been following it all, our group just had a magnificent victory in the life movement. Originally, our group had proposed 3 main events to our high school principal, Lee Panagoulias, which included “clip-boarding”, handing out literature, and featuring a display which included gestational images and life sized fetal models during the school day. All three of these events were rejected on the term of these events being “too controversial”.

This is not the first time we have had discrimination issues with our high school. This event was the final thread. So, our group contacted and worked alongside Matthew Sharp from ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom), to ensure that our first amendment rights of speech and expression were protected.

After much relaying from our resources and that of the Branford Public School system, their people had concluded that we DO have the right to clipboard, hand out literature, and have a display in school, and the high school administration would not limit us from doing any of these things.

Not only will our group remain constitutionally protected from this point on, but we will also make a huge impact on the student body at BHS. Our sexual education program at the high school is, in part, sponsored by Planned Parenthood. Students are taught about contraceptives, and even referenced to Planned Parenthood (even if students don’t want mom and dad to know they are visiting Planned “Parenthood”). However, not once are we told what will happen if contraceptives fail, or if students do not save themselves for marriage.

BHSSFL is the voice for what happens after contraceptives fail. We will now be able to provide information, resources, and empower students in the high school with the things they need to be informed about human life and the alternatives to abortion, which many teenagers indeed choose to commit.

I would like to encourage those who are students themselves (in public schools, private schools, and even homeschool) to engage in the pro-life movement, and even start your own pro-life group or club. It is crucial for us as abortion abolitionists to provide information and set an example for life among our youth. You could literally save someone’s life. Also, reach out to your community and your local parishes. The pro-life community is massive, and full of love and support.

My love goes out to everyone in my worldwide pro-life family. Press on, fellow abortion abolitionists.