Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) --
The pro-life 40 Days for Life event has sparked a
new groundswell of local grassroots activity in
cities and towns across the United States. The
campaign has grown to include international
locations and the kickoff of the next event this
Fall is slated to be the biggest
yet.David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life, shares the good news with LifeNews.com.
"With abortion advocates trying to exploit the current health care reform debate to mandate taxpayer funding of abortion we are incredibly encouraged to see record numbers of people in cities across America willing to take a stand," he said.
People young and old who participate in the next campaign "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and seek God's protection for innocent children in the womb -- and mothers -- at risk of abortion," he said.
The latest effort has grown to include 209 cities in 45 American states, five Canadian provinces and Denmark poised to launch simultaneous 40 Days for Life campaigns from September 23 - November 1.
Bursting onto the pro-life scene just two years ago, the campaign has mobilized more than 215,000 people in 240 cities across all 50 states during four coordinated pro-life educational efforts.
To date, Bereit estimates that it has saved 1,561 lives of unborn children based on the report from local pro-life advocates who have helped mothers considering abortion find better alternatives.
The community-based 40 Days for Life campaign involves people of faith in 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, round-the-clock peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, and grassroots educational outreach.
Bereit knows the effort has paid off when abortion advocates co-opted the name of the effort for their own campaign to push a government-run health care package that includes taxpayer-funding of abortions.
The so-called "40 Days for Health Reform" includes a small coalition of groups that have organized a series of events, including a conference call today featuring President Obama.
"Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but using the Biblical 40-days concept in an attempt to salvage floundering health care reform proposals that would mandate taxpayer funding of abortion and force Americans into health plans with mandatory abortion coverage -- we are anything but flattered," he said.
"I am confident that the prayers of millions of people, imploring God to inspire people to turn away from abortion, will be a much more powerful force in shaping the future," he says.
Related web sites:
40
Days for Life - http://www.40daysforlife.com
