Abortion pictures lead to arrest

BUFORD, Ga., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A truck driver is facing disorderly conduct charges after displaying banners featuring images of aborted fetuses at a crowded mall in Georgia.

Robert Roethlisberger was arrested Friday after someone called police to report the three banners were affixed to his truck at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday.

Roethlisberger was released Monday on $1,200 bail.

Police cited a provision of the misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge that pertains to "the display of obscene and vulgar images visible to persons under age 14."

The incident has drawn reactions from both sides of the abortion issue.

"If these images are so awful that we don't want to see them, perhaps we shouldn't tolerate the act of abortion," said Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion group that employs Roethlisberger.

However, abortion rights advocates said the graphic displays are likely to backfire against their creators.

"These kinds of antics do nothing to educate young people about ways to prevent an unintended pregnancy. These disturbing images do nothing but enrage people," said Leola Reis, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Georgia.