A peaceful pro-lifer offering help to pregnant women outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia has been verbally assaulted by a state politician.
Representative Brian Sims live-streamed a video of his verbal tirade against the lone woman last week.
He referred to her as an “old, white lady”, branded her “extremely racist”, “disgusting” and “grotesque”, and repeatedly shouted “shame on you” while attacking Christianity as a whole.
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“You’re allowed to be out here”, he said, “but that doesn’t mean you have a moral right to be out here. Shame on you. What you’re doing here is disgusting. This is wrong, you have no business being out here.”
Sims implored anyone watching to donate to Planned Parenthood, saying the woman’s presence on the street was the sort of “attack” that could be expected under the current national administration.
“Shame on you, ma’am, for standing out here and thinking you know what’s right for other people’s bodies.”
He continued: “There is no faith that tells you that you are right and everybody else is wrong. There is no faith that tells you it’s your job to stand out here and shame people for something they have a right to do.”
‘Zero professionalism’
The video, which has been viewed over one million times, was criticised by pro-life group Live Action, who said Sims’ behaviour, rather than the woman’s, was “shameful”.
Political commentator Dave Rubin said: “Absolutely pathetic bullying by a tolerant progressive politician of an elderly woman exercising her right to free speech. What an absolute embarrassment this guy is.”
Other social media users were also critical, with one saying: “The great state of Pennsylvania should be utterly embarrassed by having this man be a representative. He may believe and advocate for what he wants but this is not the way to do it. Absolutely zero professionalism.”
Another pointed out that Sims is an attorney, adding: “Would think, or hope, that this type of behavior – verbally abusing and harassing a solitary older Christian woman praying silently – would be frowned upon by the PA Bar Association if a formal ethics complaint was filed…”