LIFESPAN Garage Sale in Livonia, back page LIFESPAN news Volume 48 Number 4 Presenting the Pro-Life Message in Southeastern Michigan Since 1970 May 2019 Happy Mother’s Day Life - the greatest gift a Mother can give “Unplanned” Movie Opens in 5th Place Despite R Rating and Media Blackout, Expands to more Theaters By Steven Ertelt espite a media blackout, a ‘R’ rating designed to discourage viewers and little coverage outside D conservative media circles, the new movie “Unplanned” opened in 5th place this past weekend and it will expand to even more theaters next weekend. The film doubled its projection for expected box office earnings – bringing in $6.1 million in its opening weekend despite a projection of $2-3 million. That came despite the fact that Twitter has done its best to censor the movie’s account, suspending it on Saturday and resetting it on Sunday. And major television networks, including Lifetime, Hallmark Channel and HGTV all rejected commercials promoting the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Fox News reportedly was the only major network to agree to run the ads. The film took in an estimated $6,110,000 or a cumulative per-screen average of $5,770 on only 1,059 locations across the country. The average would have put the movie in third until the day she saw an ultrasound guided abortion that place, according to Box Office Mojo. changed everything. Due to the storage showing, Pure Flix, the film’s The film made national news last year when its lead distributor, told LifeNews yesterday it will add an actress Ashley Bratcher revealed that it wasn’t until she additional 600 screens to those already showing the film. was on set and filming that she learned that when her That makes it so 1,700 screens will show the “Unplanned” mother was pregnant with her, she nearly aborted her. movie, which earned a rare A-plus rating from Controversy has subsequently dogged the film, first when CinemaScore. it earned an R rating from the MPAA, then when several “We are thrilled, gratified and humbled. We are so television and radio networks refused to air commercials pleased that the American people have responded with for the film and most recently on Saturday when Twitter such an enormous outpouring of support at the box suspended the film’s page only to reverse itself an hour office,” Pure Flix told LifeNews. later after fan outcry and media inquiries. Going into the “We are very happy for the success of this film,” said weekend, trailer views for the film had reached 250K. By Pure Flix CEO Michael Scott. “We hope that those on both Saturday morning, after an evening of strong word-of- sides of the debate will see Unplanned and begin to have mouth, trailer views climbed to 1.7 million. The film has a their own dialogue. This film can be that spark to bring 93% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. more hearts and minds to understanding the value of life. “I am blown away by the public response to To bring the story of Abby Johnson to audiences and have UNPLANNED as well as the box office numbers,” said them show up in such large numbers shows how the topic Bratcher. “Not only is it beyond my wildest dreams, but it of abortion is so important to our nation.” has surpassed the expectations of critics across the Partially financed by MyPillow executive Mike Lindell, country. Despite biased critic reviews written more like the film is the true story of Abby Johnson, a former rising op-eds, the audience has spoken. I just learned that star in the Planned Parenthood corporation. As one of the UNPLANNED received a coveted A+ CinemaScore. While youngest clinic directors in the nation, Johnson was that is truly an honor, the most rewarding thing about this involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled weekend’s opening is the flood of messages I’ve received countless women on their reproductive choices. Her from people experiencing healing and a change of heart.” passion surrounding a woman’s right to choose led her to UNPLANNED was written and directed by Cary become a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, fighting Solomon and Chuck Konzelman, the writers/co-producers to enact legislation for the cause she so deeply believed in, 2 LIFESPAN NEWS May 2019 Donations have been made - of God’s Not Dead and God’s Not Dead 2, also distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment. In Honor of her 19th Birthday: “We are thrilled, gratified and humbled,” noted Grace Viviano Solomon and Konzelman. “We are so pleased that the Given by: Fr. Brian Meldrum American people have responded with such an enormous outpouring of support at the box office. It humbles us, and In Honor of their 45th Wedding Anniversary: we look forward to seeing what happens in the weeks ahead.” George & Mary Cascos Commercials for UNPLANNED are running on Fox Given by: Tony & Chris Hansen News, The Christian Broadcast Network and conservative talk radio shows, including Glenn Beck’s, according to the report. Donations may be made in memory of loved ones who Catherine Glenn Foster, president of Americans United have died; a memorial card will be sent by LIFESPAN in for Life, told LifeNews that she was not surprised to hear your name to the family of the deceased. Donations may about the rejections. She pointed to shows that openly also be made to honor someone special, and near and dear promote abortion on television and the internet. The new to you, for a particular occasion, or just because… Send Hulu series “Shrill” drew outrage earlier this month when donations to your local LIFESPAN office. the main character bragged about feeling “really, really good” and “powerful” after having an abortion. You can live on after death by helping those whose lives “The entertainment industry no longer hides the fact that it lacks basic moral decency,” Foster said. “It’s now are threatened by abortion, euthanasia or infanticide. A overtly dedicated to indoctrinating its viewers with a bequest in your will to Right to Life - LIFESPAN will pro-abortion agenda, hiding from them the pain and be used to save the lives of many through our efforts. emotional toll involved with the destruction of human Have questions? Please contact Charles Kleinbrook at life.” 248-352-9569 or [email protected] Visit UnplannedFilm.com for more details. - LifeNews.com, April 1, 2019 Follow us on #miLIFESPAN Pro-Life Events 2019 Mother’s Day Candy Sale: Sunday, May 12th Garage Sale: May 16th - 17th- 18th Father’s Day Pen /Candy Sale: Sunday, June 16th Youth Bus Trip Registration: Sept. 1st - Oct. 31st National Day of Remembrance: Saturday, Sept. 14th Walk for Life: Sunday, Sept. 15th Life Chain: Sunday, Oct. 6th Pro-Life Luncheon: Saturday, October 19th LIFESPAN NEWS May 2019 3 Legislative Update President Trump Cuts Planned Parenthood Funding $44 Million, Sends Funds to Pregnancy Centers By Micaiah Bilger The change amounts to about a $44 million cut in taxpayer funding to resident Donald Trump’s Planned Parenthood annually. Contact Information administration whittled Meanwhile, the pro-life Obria P down Planned Parenthood’s Group will receive $1.7 million a President taxpayer funding by about $44 year in Title X grants to provide President Donald Trump million a year on Friday through comprehensive family planning The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Title X grants. Opinion Line: 202-456-1111, M-F, 9-5 services to low-income individuals Fax Number: 202-456-2461 Some of that grant money now in California. Its services include Web contact: www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ will go to a life-affirming medical pregnancy testing and counseling, Dear Mr. President: provider called the Obria Group prenatal care, HIV/AIDS testing, instead, Townhall reports. U.S. Senators ultrasounds, cancer testing, The grant announcement was well-woman care, pap smears, STD The Honorable (Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow) United States Senate released Friday on the U.S. testing and treatment, adoption Washington, D.C. 20510 Department of Health and Human referral and post-abortion support, 202-224-3121 Website/Email: www.peters.senate.gov/ Services (HHS) website. Among according to Townhall. Website/Email: www.stabenow.senate.gov/ those no longer receiving grants are “Many women want the Dear Senator (last name): Planned Parenthood affiliates in five opportunity to visit a professional, states: Hawaii, North Carolina, U.S. Representatives comprehensive health care facility– Ohio, Wisconsin, and Virginia, not an abortion clinic — for their The Honorable (first and last name) according to the abortion group’s House of Representatives health care needs; this grant will give Washington, D.C. 20515 website. them that choice,” Kathleen Eaton 202-224-3121 As Politico reports: Website/Email: www.house.gov/ Bravo, founder and CEO of the Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (last name): … seven Planned pro-life health care group, said in a Parenthood affiliates in statement. Governor eight states are still set to The money will go to seven clinic The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer receive funding through partners in four counties in P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909 2022 beginning on Monday. 517-373-3400 California, according to the report. Opinion Line: 517-335-7858 Oregon and Washington Three of the affiliates do not provide Website: www.michigan.gov/whitmer states’ health departments Email: [email protected] contraception, and two others will Dear Governor Whitmer: will also continue to serve provide contraception but not use as the sole grantees in those the grant money for that service, the Michigan State Senator states. Those states and report states.