Remembering Roe...

When abortion was legalized 34 years ago, those responsible for the decision could not have predicted the magnitude of destruction that would occur over the following decades. With abortions being performed at a rate of one out of every four births, we, as a society, have much to regret. Generations of families have been lost due to abortion.

In January 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down two decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which would invalidate existing abortion laws and in one sweep strip all 50 states of any legal voice in the abortion debate. Citing testimony of a pregnant woman, (which in later years was proven false) and wishing to grant doctors leeway to perform abortions for any reason, the U.S. Supreme Court decisions were handed down.

Most speculate that the original intent of those Supreme Court justices has not been honored; the thought of abortion being used as a form of birth control is difficult for most to comprehend, and yet it happens today. Because of the broad health definition in Doe v. Bolton, abortion was made legal through all nine months of pregnancy for any “health” reason a woman and her abortionist agree upon. This abortion-on-demand, through all nine months of pregnancy and for any reason, is something with which the majority of Americans disagree. Unfortunately, the law of our land concerning this life or death issue does not reflect the consensus of our citizens.

Over the years, organizers from the prolife community have worked to educate the public about the facts surrounding these two highly significant Supreme Court cases and to remember the more than 46 million lives lost to abortion since that year.

This past January, crowds of nearly 200,000 gathered on the streets of our nation’s capitol. Armed with signs proclaiming the right to life for the unborn and the need for continued care for women and children, these crowds marched to the steps of the U. S. Supreme Court in memory of these deadly decisions.

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, “It is difficult to put into words the energy and determination these marchers possess. There is something very somber and yet very hopeful in the shared motivations of these individuals who make the journey to Washington, D.C., each year.”

This hopeful determination was also evident back home as more than 50 separate local events took place across Michigan in January to memorialize Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Grassroots organizers spent the month putting together rose ceremonies, memorials, marches and prayer vigils in every corner of Michigan.

In addition to these January events, local affiliates gather monthly throughout the year to discuss ways to educate the public on the sanctity of human life and to brainstorm new ways to reach out to women in need. For information about ways you can get involved locally, visit the Right to Life of Michigan web site at www.rtl.org.

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