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Elderly Pro-Life Woman's Amazing Christian Response to Attacker Who Broke Her Leg: 'I’m Forgiving Her'

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A 31-year-old woman from Louisville has been charged with second-degree assault after she allegedly shoved an elderly pro-life activist to the ground outside Kentucky’s only abortion clinic.

But the victim, 82-year-old pro-life activist Donna Durning, told the Louisville Courier Journal she has forgiven her alleged attacker, Janaya Alyce Gregory, and is asking others to pray for her.

“I believe that the lady who caused this injury needs prayers,” Durning said, “and I’m forgiving her and I would hope that people would also pray for her.”

Gregory, for her part, pleaded not guilty last week to the incident, which took place April 12 outside the EMW Women’s Surgical Center, according to court documents.

As a result of the assault, Durning sustained a broken femur. She required surgery and rehabilitation in order to recover from the incident. Durning said she is confident “God is watching over me.”

FAITHWIRE: Walsh Responds to ‘Bully’ Rep. Brian Sims In Bold Speech at Philly Pro-life Rally

Durning recounted the assault, telling the Courier-Journal the woman “grabbed me by both of my shoulders and she simply, really, pitched me across the sidewalk.” The pro-life activist said she landed on her left side, on her left arm and her head.

Surveillance footage of the encounter, which was captured by cameras belonging to the next-door crisis pregnancy center, BSideU, depicted a woman rushing to the back of the car Gregory entered after shoving Durning. The woman took down the burgundy car’s license plate number, which ultimately led police to Gregory.

Durning, who has volunteered as a pro-life “sidewalk counselor” five days a week for nearly 25 years, is now recuperating at one of her sister’s homes and is able to walk with the assistance of a walker.

“This is a very, very serious offense,” she said. “We can’t just let this fly by.”

What else?

Not long after this incident, Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims (D) broadcast himself last week as he harassed another pro-life woman praying outside a Planned Parenthood clinic.

Sims mocked and belittled the woman, often shoving his mobile phone in her face. He continued for a little more than eight minutes, frequently repeating, “Shame on you.”

His harassment of the woman quickly went viral, sparking the ire of many pro-life activists on social media. Sims’ actions against the woman even prompted conservative columnist Matt Walsh to organize a pro-life rally outside the Pennsylvania abortion clinic.

The rally was endorsed by Live Action founder Lila Rose as well as former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson, the subject of Pure Flix’s latest movie, “Unplanned.” Both women attended the event.

Click Here for the LATEST UPDATE on the Rally Which Took Place Friday, May 10.

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About The Author

Tré Goins-Phillips Headshot
Tré
Goins-Phillips

Tré Goins-Phillips serves as a host and content creator for CBN News. He hosts the weekly “Faith vs. Culture” show and co-hosts “Quick Start,” a news podcast released every weekday morning. Born and raised in Virginia, Tré now lives along the Blue Ridge Mountains, where he has built his career, often traveling to meet and interview fascinating cultural influencers and entertainers. After working with brands like TheBlaze and Independent Journal Review, Tré began his career at CBN News in 2018 and has a particular passion for bridging the chasm between the secular world and the church