Christ mas comes to the Santa Parade

Christ mas comes to the Santa Parade

In Granite City, Illinois.

The headline read , "Silent protest greets the Santa Parade."

Small Victories along parade route

The annual Santa Parade was getting underway. Proclaimers began arriving to stand along the parade route with prolife signs and Scripture representing the children who wouldn't be attending this holiday event because this city supports the local American Family Extermination camp otherwise known as Hope(less) abortion mill. Momentum had built up since the Labor Day "Drugs, Democrats & Dismemberment welcome to Granite City" parade, where Baby Malachi wowed the democratic politicians, city officials, and union members. Granitonians were suffering aftershocks of the truth regarding the serial killer in their fine city. Police were called to the abortion mill earlier in the day. We were warned that they were waiting for us. Psalm 37:32 "The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives."

Ryan Goski & Trish Wallis

Two abortion mill employees, Trish Wallis and Ryan Goski, followed us to the parade wanting to see the Christians thrown to the lions. They told us how much Granite City hated us and wanted a piece of us. We replied, “That's par for the course when you stand with Christ.”

“Is it gonna get violent?”

"Probably, it's to be expected Ryan. We've been hit, cursed, and spit on. Such is the life of a believer."

"Can we watch?"

"Sure, you can help hold a banner."

"No thanks, we'll just watch." They spread out a blanket on the ground and did just that.

A reporter interviewed us. (Read "Silent protest greets Santa Parade"~ BND 11-21-04 below) "Since this is celebrating the Christ child, we're celebrating children." ~Angela Michael

Proclaimers along the parade route Proclaimers along Santa parade

We held pretty baby pictures and signs which read "JESUS," "America, Jesus died for you," "Defend the unborn," and "Children are a gift from God" Some proclaimers passed out tracts to the parade-goers.

City Clerk Judy Whittaker aka Mrs. Claus

As the parade participants marched in front of us, you could feel the hate. We heard comments such as, "They shouldn't be here," and "We hate you." One lady gave us the Jesus # one finger. Some waved. Some said, "We like those signs better" or "God bless you." Some just smiled. Others like Judy Whittaker, the city clerk who tore up our parade application back in October, tried to hide her face. She was dressed as Mrs. Claus.

We were blessed with two young mothers that were at the parade who acknowledged us for being there and for helping to save their babies from Hope abortion mill. As saints stood along the parade route praying and asking God to touch their hearts, most in the parade were hardening their hearts. "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach..." Philippians 3:19. It didn't matter what kind of signs we held, it was Who we represented, JESUS. If Santa Claus himself stood with us, Granite City would hate him. "All those who hate me, love death." Proverbs 8:36. Holy Family Catholic Church showed us the most displeasure. As they passed us, they sang a little louder and looked straight ahead. Jeremiah 5:27-28 "They have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek."

Granite City Warrior Cheerleaders finished their cheer and walked by us, and proclaimers began cheering, “J-E-S-U-S..Jesus, He's the only way! Turn to Him today. Yeah.” The most troublesome part of this whole parade, was the fact that here in America, Granite City, Illinois was celebrating Christmas, and we haven't even given thanks yet for our rich heritage or history - Thanksgiving Day. Poor Squanto must be turning in his grave! The Theft of Thanksgiving was alive and well in our nation.

Praying after parade with pregnant save

Below is the typical response to the graphic photos from abortion-bound mothers citing why they chose life instead of death for their babies.

Angela said, "So Tammy, what stopped you from killing your baby?" "Because it's in the Holy Bible, 'thou shall not kill,' and I knew it was a breathin' and kickin' every minute, so I said, 'Why would I take my baby's life?' Cause it didn't ask to be here. I had things I could of taken to prevent it and looking at the photos you all had of how the abortion clinic do your babies..." Angela commented, "And you had the money." Tammy said, "Yes, my mother-in-law was going to put it on her credit card, you all were standing out there with your signs and I went in. I signed the papers. I ran back out and I looked at that sign (Malachi) and I said, 'Take me home. Thank you Jesus.'" - Angela Michael talking to Tammy, 7 months pregnant save a few weeks ago

As the parade ended, we gathered for prayer and resolved to keep shining the light in a world full of darkness. John 1:4, "In Him was life and the life was the light of men. We prayed with a mother who was 7-months pregnant and waiting for the bus. She and her unborn son were saved from Hope(less) a few weeks ago and she shared her tearful testimony of how thankful she was to see us and the graphic signs that day. We helped her with some groceries and one of the proclaimers gave her a ride home.

One of the devil's greatest tools is complacency. The more we move the battle onto the streets, the more the Lord reveals to us, this is a war of good vs. evil. The battle will not be won in climate controlled buildings. The devil not only has Granite City by the tail, he has it by its throat. Power and money is the standard in this doomed town. There seems to be a covenant between Hope Clinic and the churches in Granite City and for most Granitonians, it's "You don't bother us and we won't bother you." "..and My people love it this way." Jeremiah 5:31. Satan is not worried about most churches, they're not a threat. He's not going after most crisis pregnancy centers or political prolife ministries. You don't read about Illinois Federation Right to Life or the National Right to Life being sued. Who's the devil coming after? He is coming after the gospel of Jesus Christ and all those who are living it out in the streets. That's why no one who truly represents the true gospel will be in the world, those who stand for Christ, unadulterated,however, will be crucified.

"Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets." Luke 6:22-23

Be encouraged~ Angela

Picture of paper with pictures - Read article below

www.bnd.com

Posted on Sun, Nov. 21, 2004 Belleville News Democrat

Silent protest greets Santa parade

Small Victories denied permit to participate in holiday parade

BY JENNIFER KAPIOLANI SAXTON

GRANITE CITY -- As folks watched the annual Santa Claus parade Saturday, anti-abortion demonstrators who were denied a chance to march stood on the corner of Niedringhaus and Madison avenues.

"I don't think this is the time or the place for them to display all of this," said Mary Barchesky of Granite City , who brought several of her grandchildren to the parade.

In October, the organization Small Victories was denied a city permit to participate in the parade, which usually has 70-80 floats.

Angela Michael of Highland , director of Small Victories, said that because the group was denied, members chose to hold up signs nearby depicting pictures of babies.

"Since this is celebrating the Christ child, we're celebrating children," Michael said.

No trouble was reported in connection with the presence of the protesters.

During the annual Labor Day parade in September, Small Victories members stood at the same corner with signs that included a picture of an aborted fetus. Many said at the time they were offended or disturbed by the pictures.

"They were the most disturbing signs I've seen in my life," said Granite City High School band director Wyatt Roberds. "Next year, I'm sure we won't march in the Labor Day parade. I don't know about this parade, but I have to protect my kids."

Roberds said he had reservations about marching in the parade Saturday because of the pictures at the last parade.

"My 4-year-old adopted son was marching next to me in the parade that day and pointed to the signs and asked me what they were," Roberds said. "How do you explain that to a 4-year-old?"

Mary Lynch of Granite City, who attended the parade with her family, said with the number of kids at the parade, it was not the proper time or place to interject such a politically charged issue such as abortion.

"I think there is a time and place, but not out here at the Christmas parade," Lynch said. "There's too many little kids running around and they are asking questions."

Granite City is home to the Hope Clinic, the metro-east's only abortion clinic.