By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

Prayerful protests in response to recent undercover videos revealing trafficking of fetal tissue by Planned Parenthood employees drew about 400 people of all generations, faith traditions and nationalities to facilities in Shrewsbury and Hamilton Square Aug. 22.

The protests were but two of an estimated 200 events expected to be held at Planned Parenthood locations across the country across the country by ProtestPP, an ecumenical coalition of pro-life groups. The protests are co-sponsored by Created Equal, the Pro-Life Action League, 40 Days for Life and Citizens for a Pro-life Society.

That the undercover videos have struck a nerve was clear in Shrewsbury and Hamilton Square. Both Planned Parenthood offices are located on busy thoroughfares and observers noted that the number of motorists honking their car horns and waving thumbs up widely overwhelmed the number of those who vocalized their discontent with demonstrators.

Mercy Sister Donna D'Alia, religious education director for St. Rose Parish, Belmar, commented on that obvious disparity as she walked with the throngs at Shrewsbury. “Truth be told, the people passing by in cars are primarily supporting (us),” she said adding that she'd heard and seen very few negative remonstrances.

In Shrewsbury, those supporting life came from a wide range of parishes in Monmouth and Ocean counties and beyond including: St. Catherine, Middletown; St. Rose of Lima, Freehold; St. Leo the Great, Lincroft; Our Lady of Perpetual Help–St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands; St. Barnabas, Bayville; St. Joseph, Toms River; St. Justin the Martyr, Toms River, and St. Anthony Claret, Lakewood.

Early on in the two hour event, the foot traffic on the sidewalk became so congested that half of those assembled opted to shift from the heavily trafficked Newman Springs Road to the street across from the back parking lot to ease the situation.

Among those people uplifted by the concern that there were “too many people out front” were Barbara Russian and Eileen Mechler.

Russian, from St. Catherine Parish, Middletown, and Eileen Mechler, St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville, were both thrilled when they arrived to see so many people assembled. “When I pulled up and saw so many people, I thought well, 'people's eyes are starting to open up,'” Russian said. “Hopefully (Planned Parenthood) will soon be defunded.”

“It shows the word got out,” said Mechler, who added that she hopes word about this situation will continue to spread in the community at large, most especially in the churches where clergy need to address it “every week. … It's got to get down to the people in the pews.”

Laura Stovall of St. Justin the Martyr Parish and a member of the Ocean County chapter of New Jersey Right to Life, came with her mother, Constance.

Echoing Mechler, she took a brief break from reciting the Rosary to say why she had come: “Selling baby parts is a serious problem.”

Stovall said it's such a serious problem that she won't be happy until the federal government investigates the practice noting that Stem Express, the company involved in the enterprise, is a for-profit company.

Diana Bischoff of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, said selling body parts is in contradiction to “all that we know about life, which begins at conception. The idea that people can take a life is in itself abhorent.”

“It breaks my heart that anyone things it is alright to take a life for any reason.”

Like so many others at the Shrewsbury event, Bischoff was heartened by the turnout for the protest.

“It's pretty good considering the limited space on the (sidewalk),” she said.

Head counts in Shrewsbury and Hamilton Square ranged between 150 and 200.

In Shrewsbury, an exact crowd count was hard to get because of the two distinct areas and the fact that people came and went.

In Hamilton Square, where pro-life advocates gathered on the sidewalks and grassy areas in the public right-of-way outside the Planned Parenthood facility, Bob Pawson, director of Pro-Life Educators of America said, “dueling counts taken throughout the event ranged between 180 to 200.”

Pawson, who organized the event, said a high point came as the rally ended.

“We cleared the streets and gathered in one spot for closing prayers and gathered in one spot for closing prayers and group pictures,” he said.

“At that point there were about 160 people present and there was quite a bit of enthusiasm. It was great to see so many people. It was quite a mix from seniors, to newborn babies, millennials and teens. It was great,” Pawson said.

“We estimate that about 2,000 cars had passed by with hundreds of cars beeping positively for us and giving us thumbs up.”

Pawson, a teacher in the Trenton public school system for 35 of his 39 years in education, said the crowd was ecumenical in nature with Catholics and Protestants like himself praying for the same cause – the de-funding of Planned Parenthood.

The Hamilton Square rally had the enthusiastic support of Father Michael McClane, pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish located directly across the street and many of his parishioners came over to join in after the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

In Shrewsbury, the prayers focused on the Rosary with participants praying the decades of the Glorious Mysteries, singing Marian hymns and reciting Marian prayers on this the feast of the Queenship of the Virgin Mary.

Over to the side, representatives from several area Protestant churches sat on the ground and quietly prayed as the Rosary unfolded. They included faithful from New Monmouth Baptist Church; Calvary Chapel of Old Bridge, Jesus Fellowship Calvary Chapel, Leonardo and the First Presbyterian Church of Manasquan.

Pastor Bruce Koczman of Calvary Chapel and his wife, Karen, were among those praying.

“We found out about this through e-mail,” Karen said. “We believe God creates all life and we pray to stop the killing. We stand for life,”

Anne Dodds, a member of Manasquan Presbyterian Church, said it was “important for us to be here,” and Ilysa Keeley, who attends Jesus Fellowship Calvary Chapel, said she was “just here to support” the prayer to end the practice of selling baby parts.

“It is so much better than mourning at home,” Keeley said.

As the protest drew to a peaceful and uplifting conclusion, a group of more than 12 members of the St. Anthony Claret Parish respect life committee lingered in the back location across the street from the Planned Parenthood parking lot. United, they continued to pray the Rosary.

Dulce Bravo, a member of the group, said they had come because they wanted to “join in the protest against Planned Parenthood to show the truth.”

“We're so happy to be here and to see the different ages” represented, she said. “There are a lot of young people here.”

Bravo said it was “great to see that so many people care for our babies.”