The Friends of Life Protests

The escalating conflict between pro-life and pro-choice activists in Derry, culminating in violence.

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The First Demonstration

The Dolls and the Blood A Shocking Protest Ed Deepneau and Dan Dalton lead a group of pro-life activists in a demonstration at WomanCare. They throw dolls filled with fake blood at the building, shattering windows and terrifying the staff. The police arrest six people, including Ed. The incident makes the local news. The Wanted Poster Ralph sees a poster in the window of Secondhand Rose, Secondhand Clothes that depicts Susan Day as a wanted murderer. The poster is paid for by the Maine LifeWatch Committee. It is a sign of the growing hostility toward the feminist activist. A Community Divided The demonstration deepens the rift in Derry. Pro-choice advocates organize counter-protests. The city becomes a powder keg, with both sides becoming more entrenched. Ralph is caught in the middle, trying to understand the passions driving his neighbors.

The March and the Melee

Violence Erupts A Confrontation A pro-choice march from the Civic Center to WomanCare is blocked by the Friends of Life. The two groups clash, and a brawl breaks out. Hamilton Davenport, owner of Back Pages, is photographed with his fist raised, while Dan Dalton wears a sign around his head like a halo. Over thirty people are arrested. The Escalation The violence shocks the community. Ralph sees the photograph in the Derry News and is dismayed by the hatred on both sides. He realizes that the conflict is no longer about abortion but about winning at any cost. The stage is set for something worse. Ed's Radicalization Ed Deepneau becomes more extreme, breaking away from the Friends of Life to form his own splinter group. He is fired from Hawking Laboratories and begins planning his final act. The protests have given him a platform, and he intends to use it.

The Aftermath of the Explosion

The Reckoning The Crash Ed Deepneau's plane crashes into the Civic Center parking lot, killing him and causing panic. Seventy-one people die in the stampede, but the building itself is spared. The deathbag that hung over the Civic Center is gone. The threat is over. The Community Reacts The town is in shock. The Friends of Life disavow Ed's actions. Dan Dalton is interviewed, visibly shaken. The pro-choice advocates mourn their dead but also feel vindicated. The debate over abortion continues, but the violence has been contained. A New Normal In the months that follow, the protests fade. WomanCare remains open. The zoning issue is dropped. Derry slowly returns to normal, but the scars remain. Ralph and Lois know that the real battle was fought on a different level, but the Short-Time world has its own wounds to heal.

September 10, 1993

Late September 1993

October 8, 1993, and the following days