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AUGUSTA

March 4, 2010

Anti-abortion signs defaced

Pro-choice message written on them

By Craig Crosby ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Police are searching for those responsible for defacing signs created for an anti-abortion campaign outside Family Planning Association of Maine.

click image to enlarge

SIGNED OVER: Anti-abortion activists Maurice Theriault and Margaret Yates walk in front of signs they said were defaced Wednesday while picketing at Augusta Family Planning Association of Maine, Gabriel Drive, Augusta.

Staff photo by Andy Molloy

Augusta police Sgt. Christopher Massey said several signs were sprayed with red paint and marked with the words, "pro choice."

The incident remains under investigation. "We don't have any suspects at this time," Massey said.

The signs were created for a local 40 Days for Life campaign that organizes prayer vigils outside abortion facilities.

The daily vigil, which runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the 40 days of Lent, is being held across the street from Family Planning on Gabriel Drive.

Signs used during the campaign have been stored on private property just off Gabriel Drive during the overnight hours, said Scott Michaud, who is taking part in the campaign.

When Michaud arrived to set up the signs around 7 a.m., Wednesday, he said he found they had been marked up.

"All the signs were standing up and had 'pro-choice' written on them," he said.

A box containing a camera and other material used during vigil were not distrubed, Michaud said.

Michaud said the only sign that wasn't damaged was one showing a picture of a baby in the womb. "They didn't spray it for some reason," Michaud said. "I don't know why."

Michaud said the signs were visible from Gabriel Drive, not the much-more heavily traveled Civic Center Drive.

"Somebody had to know our signs were there," Michaud said.

The group will continue to gather each day, Michaud said.

"This is not intimidating," he said. "I feel very bad for people like this when this is their only option to destroy stuff. We will not go away."

Craig Crosby -- 623-3811, ext. 433

ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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