Prayer, mostly peaceful protest at Casper abortion clinic

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - It’s a story that’s been making national headlines. An abortion clinic opened in Casper in late April, causing dismay and pushback from some religious organizations in the area. Primarily those against abortion.

Though this may sound like the start of a joke, it’s not. What do you get when you combine a Jew, a Catholic, and a Protestant? Well... You get an inter-faith prayer vigil.

A common stance is what brings these Judeo-Christian believers together. A stance against abortion; and the clinic that provides these procedures... Wellspring Health Access. Ross Schriftman, a transplant from Philadelphia, has been in Casper for a couple of years. And was surprised when he heard an abortion clinic would open here. “My last day in Philadelphia was as a sidewalk counselor outside Planned Parenthood in Philadelphia. And when I got on the train to go back to my house, to wait for the moving company, I thought, ‘Well, I won’t be doing this in Casper, Wyoming!’”

For the faithful gathered, their weapons of choice are signs, scriptures, and prayers.

“Just coming to pray,” Reverend Raymond Paul Rodriguez says, “for the intercession of Our Dearest lord, to protect the unborn. And all people involved. Even those who run the institution here.”

Rodriguez is fully aware of the arson that took place here 11 months ago, delaying Wellspring’s opening. He says he, nor anyone at this vigil, condone criminal actions. “Everybody is a child of God. So we want everyone to be safe. We want this to end, but we don’t wish any harm on anyone.”

And like some other protests... Unfortunately... They’re not always peaceful. As Schriftman recalls, “We’ve actually had some of our people physically attacked. As well as verbally attacked. And it’s a shame because we’re joyful. We want to see everybody succeed... In life!”

We have reached out to Wellspring multiple times for comment. So far, they have not been able to respond on the issue.

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