Weeks 2 & 3 - Two thumbs up, 1 finger, and the police

Once again, I felt I had more positive responses while driving down the road than negative...

Though I did have one diver on the freeway, after darting erratically into my lane from somewhere to the left, give me "the finger" with his right arm fully extended behind the passenger seat, flailing up and down. Then switching arms, he shot his left arm as far out the window as he could displaying the same finger with the same flapping flailing zeal. I believe he was communicating that he didn't like seeing legally killed children on large banners driving down the road. I agree with him actually. I don't like it either. I might be just as upset about the whole thing too. Anyhow, people can certainly be scary.

I had two more single fingered reactions. A simple thumb up from a woman as she past me by and another from a police officer. I was a bit concerned about the police officer... he passed me up on the freeway, but then slowed down in a manner clearly scoping me out. As traffic came to a stand still ahead he actually stopped in the middle of the road, waiting for me to pass. I thought, "oh great". Though I recognize the potential for confrontations with police, I don't desire them. Once I passed him... he then caught up and gave me a thumbs up and a smile as He passed. Well that was a relief and, once again, encouraging.

Well... I did have my first confrontation with police.

I found this great overpass for the cause. It is right above a section of the freeway that slows down really, really, really slow for about an hour each day. It has no sidewalk on the side I parked, so I can get right up next to the fence with my trailer (see pictures above). It has no "no parking" signs, no red curbs, plenty of room for cars to pass... it seemed PERFECT for the purpose of raising awareness that we are legally killing children in the united states.

So, the third day I parked there, two sheriffs came to visit. They explained that I was on "quasi state" property and that though the street was public it was also owned by the Lanterman Development Center. They explained that if I didn't have business with Lanterman then they could have me removed. Ignorant of the property lines of this seemingly public street, I high tailed it out of there and let them know I would look into it.

Well, I looked into it... and they were wrong. Oops! The Lanterman Development Center stops at the overpass. So, I contacted Lanterman Development Center and the person I spoke with informed me that I was correct about the property lines and that they had made a mistake. But, she went on to tell me that she would call the sheriff if I parked there again because I would be "impeding traffic". Impeding traffic? How's that?

Actually I decided I'd transcribe a direct quote for you from our conversation:
"Actually we contacted Walnut sheriff and Caltrans. The issue is, Your right that that is not our property until it gets to the end, but you can't park there because, um, for our codes, if you look at the city codes and our police codes, you're impeding traffic. (pause... I didn't say anything because I was so surprised she was saying this given how wide the street is)... when you were parked right there. So if you were to park right there, basically, what they'll do, there just gonna' call walnut sheriff and have you escorted off because it would be blocking traffic and would be an unsafe condition and it would be interfering with client services. So that's basically the enforcement they would have..."

I can't imagine this is a legitimate problem. The overpass is very wide with plenty of room for buses to pass.

I contacted the sheriff and the person who answered the phone didn't know what I was talking about but as general advice she said some things including this: "if it is not private property, and a public street like you say, then I don't see why you couldn't park there. However, if the sheriffs already told you not to park there then I wouldn't park there. It is your discretion sir, you've already been told twice. So use your own discretion in the situation, I don't know what else to tell you."

All that said, I haven't gone back since, but I likely will go back. This is a great location and their reasons for my potential removal are quite sketchy.

So... don't be surprised if I write my next blog from a Birmingham jail.

I don't believe I have been given a legitimate legal reason why I can't park on this public street yet, so this could get interesting. If I can get a cameraman, I think I'll head back this week. Going by myself and without video/audio recording devices seems risky given police don't always follow the rules.

Week 1 - Many fists out the window

Well, I finally finished the first trailer. It has been over a year since I started this project and the trailer is finally roadworthy (Well... roadworthy under 55 miles per hour).

Note: The final cost of the trailer was probably about $600 with lots of time assembling/painting/problem solving. That is a guess at the combined cost of the trailer, banners, registration, hardware, wood, paint, flags, rope, sweat, tears... Not too bad.

I have much work do do still, with this trailer, and others... and with the website... and... and... but what I've done thus far is certainly a start.

So, my first week:
I primarily drove around during morning rush hour traffic each day this week. I was surprised at the positive response. Except for one, the "fist out of the window" responses were positive and cheering as people passed. That single fist out the window yelling some negative things at me compared to the many positive fists was encouraging. I've heard so many negative stories from others who've done things like this that I expected more negative responses.

I'm not saying everything was positive, but that the majority was. I had one negative e-mail, and a few people walk up to me at places I had stopped and voice their concerns... but again... of all the people that walked up to me, for example, the majority were positive. People approached me to tell me they were supportive. One person was glad I was getting the word out. Another person let me know they hoped I saved a life that day. People I didn't know were approaching me to express support for what I was doing.

The most dangerous thing that happen this week was when I guy in a truck swerved into my lane. He had been yelling in support as he drove by and when he passed he put his fist out the window expressing support, but not expressing much attention to the road, swerved into my lane. (Another guy swerved into my lane actually, but I don't think he even noticed me as he drove off talking on his cell phone)

I don't expect pulling this trailer will always be accompanied by an overall positive response, but this week certainly was. It is nice to have an encouraging beginning. I hope people are motivated to do something to help the children who are being legally killed and to help mothers who suffer consequences of a decision that should never be made so easy for them to regret.

Oh... And regarding Planned Parenthood: I just had to stop and snap a photo. I couldn't resist. Now that I have the picture, it reminds me of a time my wife was wearing a pin which read "WeKillChildren.org". A person asked her, "Do you work at a family planning clinic?" Wow, I couldn't believe someone would ask that question so naturally and seriously! The idea that the slogan "We Kill Children" might be acceptably worn upon the chest of staff at Planned Parenthood reveals how disconnected people in our culture are from these children in the womb. Very sad.

My HOPE

Striving to never have to pull a trailer around that says "We Kill Children" because we no longer kill children legally.

I hope I've succeeded in creating something which is relatively inexpensive, highly influential, and easily implemented on a daily basis. I'm even hoping others which believe children are being legally killed will pull a trailer too. If just one in 100 of those who believe killing children should be illegal were to invest the money and time in pulling a trailer, then the reality of what is going on within this society would be unavoidable to so many people. Once what is taking place in our society is exposed on a daily basis, it is hard for me to believe these children would be legally killed much longer.

I believe the more exposure our society has to what is taking place, the closer we'll move toward ending the LEGAL killing of children.

Putting Together the Trailer...

Attempting to keep cost as low as possible I bought the cheapest, smallest, lightest trailer I could find. My goal was the smallest initial cost and smallest ongoing costs. With this mini trailer, registration is cheap, no insurance is required, and there should be relatively low maintenance.

As lightweight as this is, I'm hoping it won't be much different than driving around with three friends in the car when I'm finally done.

Hope this works!

(Note: Trailer purchased and picture from http://www.harborfreight.com)