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For immediate release: For more information: Friday, June 4, 2004 Laura Echevarria (202) 626-8825, mediarelations@nrlc.org JUNE IS ABORTION AWARENESS MONTH IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
During the month of June, Black Americans for Life (BAL) and the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life are co-sponsoring a national program called Abortion Awareness Month in the Black Community.
“We have the highest abortion rate in the country. Black women should not be silent when it comes to this abomination,” stated Ms. Gardner.
African-American women make up only 13.7 percent of the U.S. population of women of child-bearing age, yet the abortion rate among Black women is three times higher than that of White women. This is no accident– over 70% of all abortion providers are in minority communities.
“After all that we, as Black Americans, have endured and achieved, by the end of this day nearly 1,200 Black babies will be killed by abortion,” stated Day Gardner, director of Black Americans for Life. “Yet through all our pain and suffering, it has always been our children who were our hope for a better future. Black Americans for Life is committed to saving the lives of Black babies through education and outreach.”
Fr. Jim Goode, Director of National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life, said, “It is time for the African-American Community to realize the great threat that abortion is to the future of all Black Americans. More than 13 million Black babies have been killed since abortion was legalized in 1973. We are happy to join hands with National Right to Life’s Black Americans for Life outreach to spread the good news that we are all God’s children and that we need to work together to protect life – all human life.”
BAL and NBCAL are encouraging individuals, affiliates, and churches of all denominations to use Abortion Awareness Month as an opportunity to organize or participate in special pro-life events that will raise awareness about the devastating effect that abortion is having on the African-American Community. A new 60-second Public Service Announcement is available from Black Americans for Life, 512 10th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20004, 202.378.8858, bal@nrlc.org. Fr. Goode may be contacted at: NBCAL, c/o St. Clare Friary, 440 W. 36th St., New York, NY,10018.
Black Americans for Life is an outreach of National Right to Life. National Right to Life is the nation’s largest pro-life group with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. |