WATCH: Graphic anti-abortion flyers causing a stir

KELOWNA — The anti-abortion group — the Kelowna Right to Life Society — has cranked up its campaign by distributing flyers with disturbing images.

The group calls them postcards — depicting bloody aborted fetuses — images the group says are intended to raise awareness about what’s happening at Kelowna General.

“We think graphic images are effective. We live in a visual society. Many groups use graphic images to make their point, says Kelowna Right to Life executive director,  Marlon Bartram. “We have MADD Canada and the RCMP going into classrooms and showing disturbing graphic images of people that have been killed or badly mutilated from drunk driving accidents. We have photographs on cigarette packs that are very disturbing graphics, so our campaign is really no different.”

The Right to Life distributed 1000 flyers to houses surrounding Kelowna General and at least one of those residents says they didn’t appreciate it.

“it’s inappropriate literature to be handing out,” says Diane who did not want to be identified.

“It’s an assault on my personal space. It’s an assault on my vision. It’s my assault on my emotions. It’s an assault on my morality, regardless of what my views are.”

She told the group if she gets another Right to Life flyer she’s going to call the authorities.

“I said, ‘if you come on to my property again I’ll charge you with trespassing.’”

But Bartram says they’re not breaking the law.

“The delivery of flyers, mail, postcards, newspapers is not considered trespassing in Canada.”

Clive Gilbert is an active member of the pro-choice movement in Kelowna.

He says the flyers could have easily fallen into the wrong hands.

“My wife and I have eight grandchildren, including four girls, and they would be horrified to be the first ones to pick up the mail. They don’t need to see that.”

The Right to Life society says it’s sensitive to that but says saving lives is more important.

“We’re always concerned that especially small children see these images and are perhaps disturbed by them. People who have an abortion in their past and will perhaps be disturbed by them. But we feel it’s more disturbing that children are being killed by abortion. That takes priority. Saving a life takes priority than perhaps hurting someone else’s feelings,” says Bartram.

Despite the criticism, the Right to Life Society remains defiant and plans to stage a similar flyer campaign in a few months.