Eric J. Scheidler, Communications Director for the Pro-Life Action League, spoke to the Lewis University community Nov. 2 and described the impact that his organization has made by sharing their message, the challenges it faced and his concern about the lengths that have been taken to suppress its voice. The lecture on “Pro-Life Demonstration and First Amendment Rights” was part of Lewis University’s Arts & Ideas Program, providing cultural and educational programming for students and the community. Throughout his presentation, Scheidler discussed techniques of sharing the pro-life message, provided pro-choice arguments, addressed questions of law and explained the conflicts that pro-life activists are experiencing with Planned Parenthood.

Scheidler, who has been fighting for life for several decades, offered his methodology when discussing sensitive topics like abortion. He said he tries to listen and pay attention, take time to think and pray, always be respectful, seek common ground, make it personal, give the benefit of the doubt and never take offense, pick battles and keep it simple, admit when lacking information and always leave the door open. Scheidler expressed his opinion that the laws are inconsistent in regards to life issues. He pointed out a contradiction in which the laws recognize that when a pregnant woman is harmed, so is her unborn child. However, as long as the woman herself is harming the unborn child, it is legal.

His criticism of the legal system continued as he discussed three court cases that are personal to him: FAPP vs. Aurora civil rights case, NOW vs. Scheidler RICO case and Scheidler vs. Tromley libel case.

He elaborated on the 2007 Fox Valley Families Against Planned Parenthood, Pro-Life Action League, Inc. and Eric Scheidler vs. the City of Aurora, Illinois, case filed in the Illinois Northern Federal District Court. The case called upon First Amendment rights and focused on the pro-life demonstrations held outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Aurora. Scheidler asserted that the center wanted to expand their parking lot because they feel that the pro-lifers are a danger. According to Scheidler, the pro-lifers and sidewalk counselors exercise their first amendment rights to freedom of speech by standing on public property, often times holding signs, trying to give women alternatives prior to getting the abortion. Scheidler stated, “Peaceful, legal exercise of freedom of speech is not dependent on the attitude or response of those who hear or see the message.”

As the court cases continues, so does Scheidler’s resolve to fight for life. He encouraged the audience to do their part in the “battle for life” in whatever form they can.

A Catholic university sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis offers nearly 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, accelerated degree completion options for working adults, various aviation programs and 22 graduate programs in nine fields. The 10th largest private, not-for-profit university in Illinois is being honored for the sixth consecutive year by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.