By Liz Shaw - Flint Journal

September 11, 2009

OWOSSO, Michigan -- An anti-abortion activist gunned down Friday morning in front of Owosso High School has been identified as James Lawrence Pouillon, 63, of Owosso.

Pouillon was a longtime abortion protester, known for his highly vocal and visible public demonstrations around the community and even outside the state.

Longtime friend and fellow activist Judy Climer, president of Flint Right to Life, described Pouillon as "just a nice, elderly gentleman who was disabled, used an oxygen tank and wore leg braces."

Climer said Pouillon had a regular weekly schedule of visits to abortion clinics in Flint and Saginaw, where he would park across the street and pray when abortions were allegedly being conducted.

"I knew him very well. He told me one time God put in his heart a passion for the little babies that have the right to be born and they were being denied that right," said Climer, who said Pouillon often stopped at her office for coffee breaks as he drove from one location to another to demonstrate.

"He even told me once he'd be willing to die for that belief. That's what I hear him saying right now."

Climer said Pouillon called her last week and told her he planned to be in Flint later today, parked across the street from the Feminine Health Care Center, 2032 S. Saginaw Street.

"He always comes. He would even go up to Saginaw at 7:30 a.m. and pray, then come here to Flint at noon," said Climer. "This was a passion he's had for 20 years, to just pray that abortion would come to an end and that women would see the truth that abortion is murder."

Curious onlookers were gathered in front of Owosso High School this morning where police were still investigating the shooting.

Brie Mowen of Owosso, who described herself as a friend, said Pouillon could often be seen around town carrying his signs, using a walker and portable oxygen tank.

He was known as the sign man," said Mowen. "He was passionate about the abortion issue...He was a troubled soul but he had a good heart."

Mowen said whether she agreed with Pouillon or not, it was his right to voice his beliefs.

Elizabeth Maine of Owosso said people would sometimes get upset with Pouillon and his graphic signs and would sometimes spit and scream at him.

"One man threw a piece of fruit at him and hit him in the head," said Maine.

Lori Lamerand, president and Chief Executive Officer of Planned Parenthood East Central Michigan, also expressed shock and sadness at the news.

"We want to be very clear that we have no idea if this was related to his views, but Planned Parenthood would never condone any sort of violence against anyone, regardless of their views," said Lamerand.

A suspect was taken into custody within an hour of the shooting. Lamerand said her office has not been contacted by police at this time and no link has been made to the organization.

"Certainly we do eveyrthing we can to ensure the safety and security of our clients, and if called upon, we would obviously cooperate with any investigation with the police," said Lamerand. "I am aware he's been a protestor at our offices in the past but I have had no personal contact with this man and did not know him personally."

Pouillon was arrested in 1994 for disorderly conduct, in a case where he allegedly harassed parents as they took their children to day care at First Congregational Church in Owosso.

In a 2003 Flint Journal report of the case, Pouillon said that he targeted the church because it had hosted a 25th anniversary celebration for the local Planned Parenthood office.

At the time, Pouillon said he urged parents escorting children, "Don't take your kids to that church. They kill babies in there. They support abortion."

The 1994 police report indicated Pouillon was screaming at pre-school children and their mothers but Pouillon said he and a church member were shouting only because they stood hundreds of feet apart.

The state Supreme Court ordered the state Court of Appeals to rule on the case, which overturned Pouillon's conviction in 2003.

In another case, the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a ruling that ordered the city of Owosso to reimburse Pouillon for legal costs from another 1994 incident in which Pouillon was cleared of charges of resisting a police officer. In that incident, Pouillon was jailed after failing to heed a police demand that he stop demonstrating on an outdoor landing near City Hall.

Flint Area Black Americans for Life president Brenda Battle-Jordan said she didn't know Pouillon personally but was heartbroken to hear of his slaying.

"It's unfortunate. This is the United States and we should all have the opportunity to express ourselves with the First Amendment," said Battle-Jordan. "I'm not for all that in-your-face graphic material, especially in front of schools and I haven't seen if that's what he was doing. But sometimes that's what gets the reaction to get the message out loud and clear.

"No matter what, an attack against anyone standing up for the First Amendment is always wrong. We have a right to say what we feel."