Review of 12th & Delaware (2010) by Steven B — 21 Aug 2010

4/5 Stars- A street corner in St. Pierce, FL houses an abortion clinic.....and a anti-abortion pregnancy crisis center directly across the street. The clinic has been there for years. The pro-life activists who run the crisis center used to protest outside the clinic for years, and moved into a vacant chiropractic office within 24 hours of it closing, creating one of the most unique battlegrounds in America.

The first part of the film focuses on Anne, who runs the pro-life crisis center. She blatantly disguises her facility as an abortion clinic, in the hopes of luring unsuspecting women inside who believe that they are there to terminate their pregnancy. She bombards them with graphic information on the danger of abortions, showing them photos and videos. She requires them to have an ultrasound. Who does she consult when she writes and compiles this information? A doctor? A medical expert? No. Her priest, who regularly stands in protest with her and her fellow pro-life activists.

She buys pregnant women McDonald's for lunch and hands a boyfriend an ultrasound with the words "HI DADDY!" typed on it. One girl tells her that her husband abuses her. Anne's response? "Maybe the baby will change him!".

The real abortion clinic is ran by a private man named Arnold and his wife, who shelters doctors with sheets and tries to protect them as much as possible. His clinic is about giving women the choice of abortion, and provides a service. A legal service.

Whatever your view on this subject is, the point of this documentary (directed and produced by the same women who made "Jesus Camp") is to show the polar opposites and agendas on one street corner. I didn't sympathize with either facility. Who I felt for the most were the many women, some obscured, some shown and mentioned by name, who are unfortunate pawns in a game of life.

The final scene of the film shows a woman standing in front of the clinic, towel over her face, as the pro-life activists scream at her to step away and keep her baby. She is on welfare and already has SIX children. A white woman approaches her and promises her as much money and clothing for her family as she needs. The woman eventually takes the towel off and walks with them into the pro-life center, where we hear them praying with her. Other than the payment for the would-be abortion, she never received a thing from them to help her family.