Hopeful Pro-Lifers Commemorate 30th Anniversary of Roe with Sadness and Determination

By Liz Townsend

With great sadness for the millions of unborn babies killed in the 30 years since Roe v. Wade, pro-lifers in big cities and small towns marched together in January with the hope for an end to the abortion holocaust.

"We are here today to remember the 40 million plus unborn children who have lost their lives to abortion," Loretta Thompson, communications director of North Carolina Right to Life, said in Raleigh January 18, "and to remind ourselves that we are not finished in this work." About 1,500 North Carolina pro-lifers came together in their state capital for a Rally and March for Life. Pro-life cartoonist Chuck Asay spoke at a Prayer Breakfast before the rally.

One of the largest turnouts ever greeted organizers of a rally at the capitol rotunda in Helena, Montana, January 20. Over 500 pro-lifers heard from Gov. Judy Martz, Secretary of State Bob Brown, and Rep. Danny Rehberg.

The Nebraska Walk for Life attracted about 4,500 pro-lifers to the streets of Lincoln January 25. They met at the state capitol and walked eight blocks to the Nebraska Student Union, where author Wesley Smith spoke about bioethics issues. The large number of young people in attendance was obvious to all.

"They are being raised to believe that abortion is just plain wrong, and they are going to make a difference," Gov. Mike Johanns said to the crowd. "There's a next generation of leaders behind us, and I pray that they will be pro-life leaders, because abortion must stop."

Speaking about growing up in the shadow of Roe, Brown University student Keeley Schell addressed about 200 pro-lifers gathered at the State House Lawn in Providence, Rhode Island, January 19. Rhode Islanders also sent many buses to the national March for Life.

Arizona pro-lifers in the Phoenix area, including many young people, attended two rallies. On January 19, about 1,500 enthusiastic right to life supporters participated in a rally in Mesa, with music from a local rap singer and band. They were also able to learn more about life issues from educational booths.

Reaching out to youth was also a focus of the first pro-life rally at Arizona State University in Tempe. The rally featured moving speeches from people directly affected by abortion or its alternatives: three post-abortive women and one post-abortive man, a woman who placed her child for adoption, and an adoptive mother. "We wanted to draw attention to abortion and how it has affected women, families, communities, and our country," said Risha Zertuche, Arizona Right to Life education director.

The devastation felt by many after abortion was apparent at a rally in Tallahassee, Florida, January 25. Eight women, part of the Silent No More campaign, shared their deep sorrow with pro-lifers gathered on the front steps of the old capitol building.

Women determined to be Silent No More also spoke in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, January 25. Pro-lifers in the state also gathered in New Orleans and other towns during January, and the Louisiana Right to Life Federation encouraged pro-lifers to wear and display white ribbons.

The state rally in Salem, Oregon, January 19 also featured a Silent No More gathering. About 1,000 pro-lifers met at the state capitol. Oregonians also came together in Grants Pass, Eugene, Douglas County, Klamath Falls, and Medford.

Wyoming right to lifers gathered in Cheyenne January 18 to march through the state capital for life. About 350 people attended.

Pro-lifers in California participated in a full day of events in Sacramento January 22. Beginning with a Prayer Breakfast, right to lifers later attended workshops on issues such as lobbying, youth involvement, and cloning. At noon, almost 1,000 Californians gathered for a rally on the capitol steps. Young people also attended a Teens for Life rally.

The mournful melody of a bagpipe echoed after a moment of silence at Colorado's March for Life in Denver January 18. With the theme "Day of Mourning, Day of Hope," almost 1,000 pro-lifers prayed for the lost children while vowing to bring an end to abortion in America. Keynote speaker Jill Stanek spoke about her crusade to protect babies born alive after abortion attempts.

Stanek also spoke at South Carolina's Stand Up for Life rally in Columbia January 11. More than 1,000 pro-lifers also heard a message from newly elected Gov. Mark Sanford after they walked from the University of South Carolina campus to the state capitol steps.

Thousands of Georgians rallied Together for Life January 22 at the capitol in Atlanta. Participants felt a renewed energy and optimism. "We have a pro-life governor, pro-life state Senate, and George Bush in the White House," said Nancy Stith, Georgia Right to Life executive director. "We're seeing a lot of hope."

Many new faces could be seen at a rally in Honolulu, Hawaii, January 22. Young people joined pro-life veterans at the statue of Queen Lili'uokalani at the state capitol building and marched through downtown streets. Over 500 participants bore witness for life.

In contrast to the beautiful weather in Hawaii, an Arctic cold spell gripped most of the mainland U.S. during Roe anniversary week. Single-digit temperatures in Augusta, Maine, didn't prevent about 350 pro-lifers from joining their Hands around the Capitol January 18. A replica of the Liberty bell was rung in remembrance of aborted babies.

In Boise, Idaho, about 800 hardy souls attended the chilly March for Life January 18. Brandi Swindell, national director of Generation Life, spoke to the many young people in the crowd about a commitment to ending abortion and fostering a "cultural reformation" in the hearts of Americans.

Through blowing snow, pro-lifers in Topeka, Kansas, rallied at the capitol building January 22. Pink and blue balloons representing the 635 unborn babies aborted in 2001 in Kansas during the third trimester were released at the rally. Kansans for Life announced proposed legislation to tighten regulations governing abortion clinics.

Although the thermometer recorded near-zero temperatures, pro-lifers in St. Paul, Minnesota, January 22 were warmed by positive signs of change toward respect for life. "This is a new day in Minnesota," said Scott Fischbach, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life executive director.

"Minnesota now has a pro-life governor and pro-life majorities in the state House and Senate. The voters have spoken--they have given us a pro-life mandate, and it is now time to enact protective legislation for unborn children and their mothers." Nearly 7,000 Minnesotans rallied at the state capitol.

About 300 people faced bitter cold in Trenton, New Jersey, January 22 to show their support for life. Legislators and representatives from various pro-life and pro-family groups spoke to the crowd.

A wind chill of at least 10 degrees below zero greeted determined pro-lifers in Montpelier, Vermont, January 18. After a short rally on the steps of the capitol, they moved inside for speeches. Dr. Mildred Jefferson, former NRLC president, addressed the participants. Vermont pro-lifers also mailed a copy of NRL News to each of their 180 legislators.

Jefferson City, Missouri, was the site of a Memorial for the Innocents January 22. Pro-lifers heard scriptures, prayers, and songs, and then brought red silk roses to legislators.

Many others from Missouri could also be seen at the national March for Life in Washington, D.C. The massive turnout at the march was made possible by the dedication of pro-lifers who traveled from near and far to show their support for life. A caravan of buses from states including Illinois, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia took to the highways to attend the march.

In addition to traveling to Washington, New Yorkers also gathered in cities such as Plattsburgh, Syracuse, and Cortland.

Ohio and Kentucky traditionally hold Congressional Breakfasts on the morning of the national march. Pro-lifers are able to meet and speak to their legislators and then march together. Both breakfasts were very successful this year.

Unique anniversary commemorations included a Tolling of the Bells in Huntington, Indiana, January 22. Sixteen churches rang their bells for five minutes at noon, while residents paused for a silent prayer for the unborn.

In Alaska, pro-lifers gathered January 18 at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery for a panachida, a memorial service for the departed. The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Wesley Izer, SDB, led the 70 participants in prayer at a tombstone for the unborn.

In Iowa, pro-lifers were invited to join together for the Prayer for Life January 22. Over 100 participants gathered at the state capitol while many more listened to a live radio broadcast by station KWKY. Pro-life legislators and others shared personal feelings on abortion and Roe and also prayed for an end to abortion.

Prayer was the focus of Massachusetts' 30th annual Interfaith Assembly for Life, held in Boston January 19. More than 750 people from many faiths attended. Speakers insisted that citizens must continue to speak out for what they know is right. "Some of us have marched, some of us have written letters to the editor, some of us have made calls to our legislators," said Marie Sturgis, executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life. "We know the battle isn't over. It won't be over until we overturn Roe v. Wade."

A founding mother of South Dakota Right to Life provided the keynote speech at the annual Hour of Reflection in the state capitol rotunda in Pierre January 22. Kitty Werthmann drew parallels between the abortion holocaust and Hitler's persecution of the Jews, the disabled, and others.

In neighboring North Dakota, 300 pro-lifers gathered in Bismark January 19. They also delivered red roses and "precious feet" pins to their legislators.

A luminaria memorial service was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, January 25. Pro-lifers placed 1,000 luminaria bags each featuring five names at Mount Calvary Cemetery. After a memorial service, participants laid one dozen roses at a grave marker remembering the babies killed by abortion and infanticide.

Pro-lifers in Spokane, Yakima, and Walla Walla, Washington, also placed special luminarias on front porches of homes, asking families to spend time praying on the evening of January 22. Washington right to life supporters also rallied in the state capital of Olympia January 16 and created "Cemetery of the Innocents" memorials outside of Bellingham and Lynden.

More than 100 special events took place around the state of Michigan from January 12 to 23, including memorial services, candlelight vigils, church services, rose ceremonies, marches, rallies, and bus trips to the national March.

Mississippians also held many different pro-life events, including prayer services, Masses, and a candlelight vigil at the state capitol in Jackson January 25.

In Tennessee, chapter affiliates held several memorials. About 500 pro-lifers rallied in the state capital of Nashville January 19. Other events were held in Dyersburg, Chattanooga, Maryville, Cleveland, Dickson, Cookeville, and Fayetteville.

Wisconsin pro-lifers gathered in towns around the state throughout January. From memorial bell ringing in Eau Claire, a silent candlelight vigil walk in Door, a prayer service in Fond du Lac, a cemetery memorial service in Portage, and a march in Appleton, to rallies in Marathon, Sauk, Sheboygan, and Marquette, right to lifers found a way to show their belief in the sanctity of life.

More than 5,000 Arkansas pro-lifers joined their governor in a march down Capitol Avenue to the state capitol building in Little Rock January 19. Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke for all the thousands of American pro-lifers who showed their support for life: "The goal of the movement is that one day not one single life will be taken from a mother's womb."