THE PRO-ABORTIONISTS ARE ORGANIZING…HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
By Wanda Franz, Ph.D.

In the days that followed Roberts' initial nomination, reproductive rights activists did what they have done each time a woman's right to choose is under threat -- they answered the call to action. Their support has been overwhelming. In less than seven days, more than 50,000 people signed on to Planned Parenthood's Roe Call, a petition that demands that Roberts reveal his views on a woman's right to choose during the Senate confirmation hearings slated for September 12. Since then, another 50,000 supporters have added their names to the petition. And the numbers continue to grow each day. [Emphasis added.]
     --from the Planned Parenthood web site ("The Roe call" – 9/12/2005)

Number of members in the Planned Parenthood Action Network: 782,384.
     --from the Planned Parenthood web site ("On the Record" – 5/16/2005)

NARAL Pro-Choice America surpassed its fundraised [sic] goals in the hours following Justice O'Connor's announce-ment. Pro-choice Americans from all over the country have made financial contributions, because they understand the importance of a mainstream nominee who recognizes the impact his or her decisions will have on the average American.

"Phones began to ring at the first announcement of a retirement, and they show no signs of slowing," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "Mainstream Americans are deeply concerned that President Bush will choose to further divide this nation by nominating a radical right wing conservative, who will roll back any number of our hard-won personal freedoms, including our right to choose."
In addition, NARAL Pro-Choice America's 30,000 Rapid Responders have been mobilized. [Emphasis added.]
     --NARAL press release, 7/2/2005

The above quotes give you an idea how our opponents have used the Supreme Court vacancies to fill their treasuries and motivate their supporters. Don't be fooled: they were not only preparing to battle the new judicial nominees, they were (and still are) preparing for the fight after Roe, whenever it is finally overturned. They are preparing "to soften up" public opinion and swing it toward their point of view for any upcoming legislative, judicial, or election battles. They intend to "out-organize" us at the grassroots level and vastly outspend us in media campaigns. We better take notice.

How can you help NRLC?

There are several ways.

n Pray for the mothers who face a difficult pregnancy so that they choose life for their unborn babies. Pray for the conversion of the abortionists and those who work, propagandize, and legislate for the "right" to kill unborn babies. Pray for the pro-life movement; especially the staff of NRLC, the state affiliates of NRLC, the supporters of NRLC, and those who have joined us through the state affiliates of NRLC.

n Join the NRLC affiliate in your state and recruit others for our cause. Remember that Planned Parenthood's "Action Network" registered 782,384 by May 2005. And NARAL had 30,000 "rapid responders" in a short time. We must respond with the same intensity. We must able to out-work them on the grassroots level.

n Make a tax-deductible donation to the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund (payable to NRL Educational Trust Fund, 512 10th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004). Remember that NARAL "surpassed its fundraised goals in the hours following Justice O'Connor's announcement." We must raise as much money as we can in order to compete with them in the public square.

The monies in the NRL Educational Trust Fund are used for the educational work of NRLC.

If you wish, you can make your tax-deductible donation "in memory" or "in honor" of loved ones or friends. Your and their names will be listed in NRLNews. (See page 26 for a form.)

n Make a charitable bequest of property or an estate to the NRL Educational Trust Fund. (For more information contact Don Parker at (202) 626-8813.)

n Contribute to NRLC (payable to NRLC, 512 10th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004.) These contribution support the extremely important legislative work and lobbying effort of NRLC; they are, therefore, not tax-deductible.

n Make automatic, monthly contributions to NRLC through the Life-Chex program. Once a month, your contribution is automatically forwarded to NRLC from your credit card or bank account. (See page 7 for an explanation and the necessary form.)

Regular monthly contributions provide for a stable financial base for NRLC's work; hence, they are especially effective. To ease your mind about such an arrangement, let me note that the program is subject to appropriate legal safeguards.

n Donate substantive items for NRLC's Auctions for Life program which NRLC runs online. Items donated to the NRL Educational Trust Fund can give you a tax-deduction; those donated to NRLC (the legislative and lobbying effort) can not.

Currently, this program features the Autos for Life auction. Autos for Life accepts not only cars but also trucks, trailers, RVs, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, snowmobiles, etc. Such items bring a comparatively good return for the effort involved in selling them. To donate to Autos for Life email dojr@NRLC.org or call us at 202-626-8823. (See page 18.)

Let me also add this about making donations to us: NRLC is not only the most effective pro-life organization in the world, it is also one of the most frugal lobbying organizations in Washington, D.C. Your money is spent wisely, "penny-pinchingly," and effectively.

Dear pro-life friends, in this column I stressed the unglamorous work of a popular movement: recruiting committed members for the coming battles at the grassroots level and raising the necessary funds to sustain effective educational and lobbying campaigns. Organizing and educating and lobbying and recruiting is hard work. And making substantial financial contributions demands serious sacrifices of us. In the past we have always been able to show that we pro-lifers are more committed than our opponents. We may not be as rich as they are, but we have learned to sacrifice. They may have the mainstream media on their side, but we can beat them at the grassroots level if we put our mind and heart into it. Our time is now.