Pro-Lifers Across the Country Remember Millions of Unborn Victims of Roe v. Wade

By Liz Townsend and Marjorie Higgins

As America goes to war overseas to defeat terrorists who have murdered thousands of people, pro-lifers across the country reminded their neighbors on the 29th anniversary of Roe v. Wade that millions of innocents have been killed by abortion since 1973 - - and that they will continue to battle against that evil until unborn babies are safe in their mothers' wombs.

"Abortion and euthanasia are always wrong," Auxiliary Bishop Michael Cote told pro-lifers in Augusta, Maine, January 19. " Society becomes coarsened over time when these evils are first tolerated and then condoned, with the consequences being a widespread loss of respect for human life. But when life is respected, all of society benefits."

The right-to-lifers gathered for the annual Hands around the Capitol, where the crowd of almost 500 completely circled the capitol building in a public witness against abortion. Participants also put their "Arms around Moms" by bringing contributions for women in crisis pregnancies.

In nearby Vermont, pro-lifers came to the state capital of Montpelier to attend a march on January 19 and a Lobby Day on January 22. They celebrated last year's passage in the state House of a parental notification bill, the first piece of pro- life legislation to come to a floor vote in the Vermont legislature in 29 years. The right-to-lifers stressed the need for the Senate to pass the bill.

Pro-life legislators received "certificates of appreciation" at a reception in Charleston, West Virginia, January 22. West Virginians for Life honored pro-life champion state Sen. Leonard Anderson, sponsor of the Women's Right to Know bill that was introduced that day, and Delegate Bobbie Warner, whose legislation to establish a pro-life license plate recently won approval in the House.

At their March for Life in St. Paul January 22, nearly 5,000 Minnesota pro-lifers pledged to help those in crisis pregnancies by enacting a Woman's Right to Know law and a bill to eliminate tax funding of abortion. Pro-abortion Gov. Jesse Ventura has twice vetoed the Woman's Right to Know law, but right-to-lifers are determined to keep working until women have the right to learn the truth when contemplating abortion. Former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, running for the Senate against pro-abortion stalwart Paul Wellstone, delivered an impassioned, well-received speech.

Speakers in Little Rock, Arkansas, January 20 urged the large crowd to keep fighting for the sanctity of life. Gov. Mike Huckabee said, speaking for himself and other politicians who attended the rally. "I plan on being back next year and every year until America is pro-life." Thousands of pro-lifers braved chilly weather to attend the march and rally.

Nebraskans also faced freezing temperatures at their Walk for Life in Lincoln January 19. Close to 3,000 pro-lifers didn't let the weather deter them from walking from the capitol building to the University of Nebraska Student Union. "I see you out there, praying and hoping my speech is very short," Gov. Mike Johanns joked to the crowd. "You make such a firm, positive statement about life, and I appreciate it."

Pro-lifers at the annual "Hour of Reflection" in the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre, South Dakota, January 22 heard a rousing call to arms from Catholic Bishop Robert Carlson. Carlson encouraged right-to-lifers to help women facing crisis pregnancies, politicians to defend life, and preachers to boldly speak out against abortion - - for all of us to be "disciples of life."

Thousands of right-to-lifers in Georgia met at the capitol in Atlanta January 22 for the annual Together for Life rally. "This is very public ground and it's in the heart of our state, and it's showing the world and the state and the legislature that we mourn the deaths of the unborn babies," Georgia Right to Life President Caryl Swift told the Associated Press.

In neighboring South Carolina, hundreds of pro-lifers attended the Stand Up for Life 2002 rally in Columbia January 12. Lisa Van Riper, president of the South Carolina Citizens for Life, began the rally by quoting from the Declaration of Independence, encouraging pro-lifers to "call upon our government to return this trust . . . return the inalienable right to life!"

The keynote speaker was NRLC President Wanda Franz, Ph.D., who urged participants to work on two specific legislative goals: bills to ban human cloning and to protect unborn victims of violence.

About 300 North Carolina right-to-lifers marched in the state capital of Raleigh January 12. "We have one focus: To speak for those who cannot speak for themselves: the unborn, the handicapped, and the elderly," North Carolina Right to Life Communications Director Loretta Thompson told the crowd. "We've lost an entire generation of people to the Holocaust of abortion. Let it be our prayer that we don't have to come back next year, that God will win our victory for us."

For the first time in 10 years, a Rally for Life was held at the state capitol in Helena, Montana. About 300 pro-lifers attended the rally January 19 and heard from U.S. Rep. Dennis Rehberg and Catholic Bishop Robert Morlino. Also present were representatives from crisis pregnancy centers and candidates and elected officials.

Pro-lifers in Madison, Wisconsin, honored "Heroes for Life" at a rally January 19. The focus was on those who show true humanity by providing foster care, adopting children, or helping the disabled.

The 29th annual March for Life in Honolulu, Hawaii, January 22 featured a rally with speeches, music, and hula dancing along with a march around the capitol building. About 1,000 right-to- lifers showed their support for life during the march by waving signs to commuters on their way home, receiving joy, cheers, and encouraging smiles. Participants felt blessed by a beautiful rainbow that appeared over the state house courtyard during the rally.

Other state capitols where rallies were held included Springfield, Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Bismarck, North Dakota; Olympia, Washington; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Phoenix, Arizona; Trenton, New Jersey, and Topeka, Kansas. In Denver, Colorado, the 800 participants at the March for Life January 19 watched as 102 balloons representing the number of babies saved from a Planned Parenthood clinic were released.

About 1,500 Oregon pro-lifers attended a march and rally in the state capital of Salem January 20. Smaller rallies were also held around the state in Roseburg, Grant's Pass, Medford, Eugene, Coos Bay, and Gold Beach.

To the south, pro-lifers spent a busy day in Sacramento, California, January 22 with a prayer breakfast, Mass, Rally for Life, and citizen lobby workshops, where participants learned about important pro-life issues and information.

The keynote speaker of the March for Life in Boise, Idaho, January 19 organized the "Know Your Facts Pro-Life Billboard Campaign" that brought the truth about fetal development and abortion to residents of Boise in 2001. Linda Stevens told the crowd that everyone needs to know the facts about the life issues.

Education was also a highlight of a rally in Tallahassee, Florida, January 22. Display tables held informational materials along with baby rattles to deliver to legislators. About 225 people attended throughout the afternoon, despite cold and rainy weather.

Floridians also marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade with events such as a Commemoration of Life Rally in Citrus County, a prayer vigil in Indian River County, and a rally in Inverness.

Many communities have memorials to the unborn - - places where people can pray for the souls of the murdered innocents and for an end to the holocaust. In Anchorage, Alaska, about 100 pro- lifers gathered at the Monument to the Unborn, where Sen. Loren Leman, who is running for lieutenant governor, addressed the crowd.

Pro-lifers in Keene, New Hampshire, held a memorial service at the Tomb of the Unknown in St. Joseph Cemetery January 20. An honor guard laid a wreath at the tomb and pro-lifers prayed for abortion's victims.

In Montgomery, Alabama, about 150 right-to-lifers prayed at an ecumenical memorial service January 20 at the burial site of aborted babies that had been found in a dumpster. Services were also held in the state in Birmingham, Mobile, Marion County, and Andalusia.

Boston, Massachusetts, was the site of the 30th annual Interfaith Assembly for Life on January 20.

Another prayer service was held in Jefferson City, Missouri, January 22. Pro-lifers also distributed long-stem silk roses to state legislators and the statewide elected officeholders.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, pro-lifers attended a candlelight vigil and Mass January 20 and an Interfaith Rally and Life Chain in Reno January 26.

Virginians prayed at a Prayer Service for Life in Richmond January 20.
The service included praise and worship music, scripture readings, and inspiring sermons. "The ecumenical prayer service celebrated the dignity and sanctity of human life," said Geline B. Williams, NRLC chairwoman and board delegate from Virginia, "and the subsequent importance of dedicated pro-life effort to overcome the unacceptable and denigrating assault that abortion, euthanasia, and human cloning are on human life."

New Yorkers attended marches in Syracuse, Plattsburgh, and Cortland. In nearby Pennsylvania, pro-lifers held rallies in West Chester and Philadelphia, and hundreds attended the Pro- Life Prayer Breakfast and the March and Motorcade for Life in Erie.

Chapters in Tennessee held many different events to commemorate the Roe anniversary. Pro-lifers constructed Cemeteries of the Innocents in the counties of Dyer, Humphreys, Madison, McNairy, and Wayne/Hardin. Nashville pro-lifers met with pro-life legislators at the state capitol for a strategy meeting, staffed educational tables at local churches, and held a Life Chain. Other events were held in Putnam, Shelby, Knox, and Coffee Counties. In neighboring Kentucky, pro-lifers attended rallies in Louisville January 22 and in their state capital of Frankfort January 30. Speakers addressed the horror of abortion, euthanasia, and other issues threatening the sanctity of human life.

Many Kentuckians also joined the huge March for Life in Washington, D.C., along with pro-lifers from states such as Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan. Pro-lifers from several states, including Indiana and Ohio, held Congressional Breakfasts in Washington on the morning of January 22 to meet with their representatives.

In addition to their presence in Washington, Michigan pro-lifers also attended more than 30 events in their hometowns. Thousands in towns from Bad Axe to Wyandotte participated in prayer vigils, memorials services, concerts, candlelight walks, marches, motorcades, and rallies between January 13 and January 27.

"As President George W. Bush works to develop a culture of life in the United States, we are doing all we can to bring attention to the humanity of the unborn in Michigan," said Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing, echoing the sentiments of pro-life leaders in all states. "We will peacefully continue to provide women and families with life-affirming options when faced with an unplanned pregnancy."