Start Planning for January 22nd Now

By Holly Smith
Field Coordinator

It's hard to believe that on top of celebrating our electoral victories, we'll celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in short order. Soon thereafter, pro-lifers observe another annual event, as depressing as Christmas is uplifting: the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Certainly, with the overwhelming success of pro-life candidates on November 2, particularly President George W. Bush's re-election and the seven new pro-life senators elected, the pro-life movement is as optimistic as it has ever been since Roe legalized abortion on demand.

But January 22, 2005 will shortly come, and we need to remind Americans that abortion on demand is still legal. Pro-lifers will gather in their communities, in their churches, in their state capitals, and in Washington, D.C., to solemnly commemorate the anniversary that reminds America that over 44 million unborn children have been legally killed and their mothers wounded by abortion. And until the carnage is stopped, nearly 3,600 babies will die every day.

We don't know how long it will continue, but in the meantime, we must be vigilant in witnessing to the sanctity of life.

January 22 is the fitting day to plan an event that educates your community and memorializes the tragedy of abortion. Some of the most popular January 22 chapter activities include prayer vigils or breakfasts, signature ads in the local newspaper, "cemeteries of the innocents," and participation in statewide or national marches that promote the protection of human life.

At vigils and prayer breakfasts, programs include mixtures of music, educational, and inspirational talks; and prayer. Speeches by activists, college students, pastors, and doctors are all common features of these events. The crowd is usually updated on the current status of pro-life legislation and educated about issues such as abortion's impact on women and how a pro-life doctor approaches the abortion issue.

Signature ads - - ads that are comprised of the names of pro-lifers in your community - - are very effective in many ways, as a consciousness-raising and educational tool, for chapter promotion, and even fundraising for your lifesaving work. Showing the names of hundreds or thousands of pro-life citizens in the community also shows the magnitude of pro-life support. NRLC has a variety of ads available for chapter use, free of charge.

"Cemeteries of the Innocents," or cross or flag displays, are popular and tasteful ways to make known abortion's magnitude. White crosses or pink and blue flags symbolizing the number of babies aborted each day in the United States, approximately 3,600, are displayed in a field or churchyard that is visible from a busy street. A display this large generates a lot of attention and conversation, so be sure to have a well-chosen and thoughtful sign that states what the display represents, challenges people to re-think the issue, and even advertises a phone number for abortion alternatives and post-abortion healing.

Of course, many National Right to Life state affiliates plan statewide rallies or marches, and tens of thousands of pro-lifers travel to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life. Arranging buses or caravans to transport people to these events is a very worthwhile chapter project, especially since it is so encouraging for pro-lifers to be surrounded by thousands of like-minded people.

Many young people also attend rallies and marches, which is very gratifying to see for those who have been in the movement for many years. This culture is headed in the right direction. The involvement of youth in the Movement is made abundantly clear at rallies and marches.

Finally, the abortion issue is brought sharply into focus by the media on January 22, so definitely alert local media to whatever event your group plans. This is an important way to spread your message beyond those that attend your event.

Local Christian and conservative news-talk radio stations may also like to interview your chapter's chair, a guest speaker, or someone else from your group with a unique perspective to offer. In the days and weeks leading up to January 22, encourage them to run free public-service announcements advertising the event with a number to call for more information.

We've all just come through a very busy election season and are heading into a very busy holiday season. In the midst of this busyness, unborn babies' lives are ended every day by abortion.

So, in order to develop a realistic timeline to complete everything in a sensible and professional way, it is important to start planning your January 22 commemoration event as soon as possible. Hopefully, your efforts will ensure that more children in your community will live to celebrate the holidays next year and in all the years to come.

For more information on these or any other chapter activities, please contact Holly Smith at chapters@nrlc.org or 202-626-8809.