By Mark Weyermuller -
A prescreening of the movie "Unplanned" was featured last Wednesday at Park Ridge's Pickwick Theatre. The film – to be released to the public in late March – is based on the 2011 book by former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson. The movie re-enacts how Johnson resigned from her position after watching an abortion via ultrasound to become a pro-life activist.
Pictured above: One member of the "Unplanned" cast – Robia Scott – joined screening organizers Pickwick Theatre owner Dino Vlahkis, Carmel Communications' Lisa Wheeler and Aid for Women board member Mary Hallan FioRito in answering questions after the film's showing. Several hundred in Illinois' pro-life leadership and after abortion care ministries attended the event.
In the news this week is the film has been rated “R” possibly due to some graphic scenes depicting abortion. Some feel this is political to limit young people from seeing it. Many other Hollywood films only have a PG-13 rating. Mike Lindell from My Pillow sponsored part of the film and also has a surprise cameo in it. He is mentioned in this Washington Times story about the film.
One of the screening hosts, Aid for Woman, is a group that helps thousands of women each year in the Chicago Metropolitan area that find themselves with unexpected and difficult pregnancies. Each expectant mother assisted by Aid for Women is provided the emotional, practical, and spiritual support she needs to choose life for her unborn baby. All services are free of charge. More information at their website:helpaidforwomen.org.
Last weekend there was the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Aid for Women’s ‘s new Flossmoor pregnancy care center. Guests included Pastor Ceasar I. LeFlore and Congressman Dan Lipinski. The star of the weekend event was Sophia-Anna, whose mother lived at the maternity home while she was pregnant, and whose life was saved by the ultrasound her mom saw at one of the Aid for Women pregnancy centers.
Robia Scott also attended the screening at the Pickwick. Scott plays Cheryl, Robia’s boss at Planned Parenthood. The irony is that Scott is pro-life activist too, now working on preaching Christianity and counseling. She stayed after the event and took photos – including one with a large group from Students for Life.
Robia Scott with Students for Life
Here is a link to the movie trailer that comes out March 29, 2019 to 800 screens worldwide. https://youtu.be/gBLWpKbC3ww
Mark Weyermuller, Robia Scott and David Avignone of Illinois Citizens for Ethics
Mark Weyermuller owns a small business, is a real estate professional and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist and regular contributor to Illinois Review. Mark can be heard weekly on the radio in a "man in the street segment" at 5:31pm as a regular guest on the Stephanie Trussell Show heard Saturday afternoons 3-6pm on 50,000 watt WLS 890-AM.