If you were asked about what abortion is, how would you answer? Pro-lifers around the country would likely answer in unison, “Abortion is murder.” However, an abortion facility in Cleveland recently decided to launch a billboard campaign that gave their alternate version of the truth.

“Abortion is sacred.” “Abortion is a blessing.” “Abortion is necessary.” “Abortion is a family value.” “Abortion is gender equality.” These are just a few of the messages that went up on 16 different billboards around the city.

The “Abortion Is” campaign, run by Preterm, predominantly targets black neighborhoods in Cleveland, with 79 percent of the residents in such neighborhoods being African American.

Absolutely outraged by the murder of an infant being painted as a “blessing” and “good medicine,” pro-lifers and pro-life organizations, such as Coalition For Life Cleveland, are fighting back. They have launched their own campaign: “What Abortion Really Is.”

These pro-life billboards went up around Cleveland at the beginning of February, boasting messages such as, “Abortion is exploitation,” “Abortion is genocide,” and “Abortion is injustice anywhere.” Along with the launch of the billboards, the movement created a website where people can go to learn more about the pro-life movement and the truth behind abortion.

However, this movement was not launched easily. The pro-lifers behind it fought with advertising companies for several weeks in order to simply have their messages shown. Lamar Advertising, the same company that allowed Preterm to launch its “Abortion Is” campaign, was not as welcoming of a pro-life public relations campaign.

Hal Kilshaw, Vice President of Governmental Relations at Lamar Advertising, banned the following declarations when the “What Abortion Really Is” campaign attempted to use them:

• Abortion is systemic racism.
• Abortion is injustice anywhere.
• Abortion is exploitation.
• Abortion is genocide.
• Abortion is violence.

Eventually, the pro-lifers won out, and many of the messages written above are now being displayed around the city.

WhatAbortionReallyIs.com is not just an informational site, but one dedicated to providing actual help to women considering abortions or who are in need of help. With sections dedicated to women seeking pregnancy care, post-abortion care, or health care (from an actual health care facility), the site provides easily accessible solutions and care for women who need answers and assistance.

Photo credit: pixelsuite via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0