The pro-life memorial mounted by the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) that the Township of West Lincoln, Ontario, ordered removed consisted of crosses on bales of hay, each one representing 1000 aborted babies, to commemorate the 100,000 babies who lose their lives to abortion every year. The order to remove it was based on the zoning by-law stipulating the types of signs that are allowable.

The memorial had been constructed on the private property of Berend Vis in Smithville, the father of Ralph Vis, vice-chair ARPA, Niagara, who had organized the memorial. Mr. Vis was given until October 10 to comply, or face prosecution, but Chris Zwiep, a member of ARPA, told Halton Pro-Life that the display was due to be moved by that date and moved to Dunnville.

“We think someone complained because the local authority acts only if it receives a complaint,” Mr Zwiep said. ARPA asked the township how many complaints had been received, but the local authority declined to cooperate. Mr Zwiep said the order was ineffectual since the display was due to be moved, but had resulted in additional publicity for the memorial.

Berend Vis, owner of a local upholstery firm, donated use of a vacant piece of land close to a busy thoroughfare.

Chris Zwiep is part of the team at CTS that is distributing the movie Courageous in Canada.