This Sunday, people from across the United States will cap off Sanctity of Life week with a march, walk or special observance. They will mark  the day that the infamous Roe v. Wade decision was made over 30 yrs ago.

Late in October 1973, grassroots pro-life leaders became concerned that January 22, 1974, might come and go without properly memorializing the Supreme Court's infamous abortion decisions and without petitioning Congress for redress.

No established right-to-life organization desired or was prepared to undertake the planning, financial and operational responsibilities for a prolife March on the U.S. Capitol.  But, grassroots prolifers wanted to march.

Meeting in Washington around a dining room table, veteran prolife leaders from their state, county, and community organizations, resolved themselves into a temporary committee, selected a chairman, and began making plans and decisions. In 1974, the MARCH FOR LIFE was incorporated as a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization.

It is action-oriented. Knowing that no sound action can grow out of a vacuum of purpose, MARCH FOR LIFE formulated the Life Principles as a forthright, comprehensive statement of the position motivating the prolife movement. The Life Principles guide MARCH FOR LIFE work, and are shown on the back and inside-back cover of this Annual Report. Life Principles formed the basis for developing the language of the "Paramount HUMAN LIFE AMENDMENT," by which the Constitution shall protect the unalienable and paramount right to life of each human being in existence at fertilization.

The MARCH FOR LIFE is the collective effort of grassroots prolife Americans to assure that our laws protect the right to life of each human being. An important step is adoption of a Mandatory HUMAN LIFE AMENDMENT to the Constitution of the United States. Such an amendment would require that individuals and society provide protection for the right to life of each human being in existence at fertilization. It would require that State laws conform to the Constitution and provide the same protection. Thus, the Life Principles provide guidance and purpose for the task of the grassroots prolife volunteers in their efforts through an effective education and lobbying program.

Silent No More

Breaking the silence that surrounds the personal experience of abortion (Roe v. Wade) women nationwide will tell their stories at gatherings throughout the month of January as part of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, co- sponsored by NOEL and Priests for Life. The Campaign's national gathering is Monday, January 23rd, at the Supreme Court Building in Washington DC at 4pm.

"Ironically during these confirmation hearings everybody is discussing Roe v. Wade but nobody is concerned with abortion's impact on women," said Campaign co-founder and President of NOEL, Georgette Forney. "We know from personal experience that abortion created more problems than it solved and we're not going to standby and watch more of our sisters be hurt, we are silent no more!"

Actor, model, and author, Jennifer O'Neill, celebrity spokesperson for Silent No More Awareness joined the Campaign because she was forced to have an abortion and understands the pain it brings. Ms. O'Neill will speak at the Supreme Court along with Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who also regrets her abortion.

"Hearing these woman speak about the damage abortion did to their lives will make you realize that abortion is a life altering decision not just a 'simple choice' or 'right,'" says Janet Morana, Associate Director of Priests for Life and co-founder of the Campaign.

Jennifer O'Neill, celebrity spokesperson for Silent No More Awareness; Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Janet Morana, Associate Director of Priests for Life and co-founder of the Campaign; Georgette Forney, President of NOEL and co-founder of the Campaign; and dozens of other women

Silent No More Awareness is a Campaign whereby Christians make the public aware of the devastation abortion causes. The Campaign seeks to expose and heal the secrecy surrounding the emotional and physical pain of abortion. Since officially launching the Campaign in January 2003, 110 Gatherings have occurred in 4 countries and 44 states with approximately 1682 participants, & more than 5000 spectators. For more information, visit www. SilentNoMoreAwareness.org.

Thousands of pro-life feminists and supporters are expected to walk along San Francisco’s waterfront bringing a message of hope and life in the Second Annual Walk for Life West Coast on January 21, 2006.

Last year’s inaugural walk drew an unprecedented 7,500 walkers and organizers expect more this year, with walkers coming from as far away as Alaska, Washington State and even as far south and east as Texas and Florida, said fourth generation San Franciscan Dolores Meehan, Walk co-chair.

“Abortion is a reflection that we have not met the needs of women,” says Serrin M. Foster, president, Feminists for Life of America, one of three main speakers slated to address a rally before the 2 ½ mile trek along San Francisco’s scenic waterfront.

The Walk theme is “Women Deserve Better than Abortion,” the signature slogan of Feminists for Life.

The other speakers will be the Rev. Clenard Childress, North East regional director of Life Education and Resource Network and founder of BlackGenocide.org, and Star Parker, founder and president of the Los Angeles-based Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education.

“In every generation there is a people who rise above complacency and mediocrity and cry against injustices that deny access and privilege to its citizens,” said Childress, an African American Baptist pastor. “Such are those who will march in the streets of San Francisco for the well-being of our most precious citizens, whose rights have continually been denied and their lives destroyed.”