The premeditated murder of James Pouillon of Owosso, Mich., a disabled pro-life activist, father of two and grandfather, affectionately known by locals as the peaceful "sign guy, " is being mourned by the nation's pro-life community.

Pouillon was gunned down across the street from the Owosso High School while holding a photograph of a baby with the words "LIFE."

County officials have accused 33-year-old Harlan Drake of shooting Pouillon several times because he was "offended by the manner of Mr. Pouillon's message."

Leading pro-life advocates are questioning the lack of a concerned response from key abortion advocates, especially from the office of the president, which were quick to condemn the murder of late-term abortionist Dr. George Tiller and call for drastic protective measures for abortion centers.

Many in the media never missed an opportunity to use this example to condemn the entire pro-life movement as if it consisted entirely of hate-filled people. The shooting comes at a time when pro-life groups have been receiving high numbers of death threats in the wake of the shooting of Dr. Tiller and the strong pro-life opposition to the government-run health care bills pending in Congress that open the door for massive abortion funding.

Father Frank Pavone, the head of Priests for Life, had this to say about the lack of a pro-abortion reaction: "I call on the leaders of the so called 'pro-choice' movement to condemn this killing and to consider all of the (3,500) people who lose their lives to abortion every single day."

James Pouillon abhorred violence, in any form, especially the murder of 55 million innocent babies through legalized abortion. The violence against him makes the total of victims 55 million and one man who chose to peacefully witness against a "culture of death."

Arlene Sawicki

South Barrington