40 Days for Life
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40 Days for Life is a pro-life campaign that was begun in 2004 by a local group in Bryan-College Station, Texas, led by David Bereit.[1] The campaign is active in the fall and spring of each year, though local campaigns may continue it year-round. The fall 2010 campaign launched in 238 locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Northern Ireland, and Denmark.[2]
A 40 Days for Life campaign consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting combined with vigils in shifts outside of an abortion clinic. With enough volunteers, this protest may be round-the-clock. The 40 days concept comes from a pattern repeated in the Bible, such as in Noah's Ark, Moses's 40 days on Mount Sinai, and Jesus's 40 days in the desert.
40 Days for Life campaigns are managed by local volunteers in each of the cities involved in the effort. A small national office coordinates communications and provides training and other resources for the local volunteers.
The organization says these campaigns have prevented 4,082 abortions since 2007.[3]
Contents |
History
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The initial campaign resulted in a rejuvenation of local pro-life activities in the Bryan-College Station area.[4] Over the next two and a half years, the campaign was replicated in six other cities.
2007 campaign
In early 2007, the leaders of those first campaigns got together and suggested a simultaneous nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign in as many cities as wished to participate.
The first national campaign ran from September 26 - November 4 with activities in more than 80 cities in more than 30 American states.[5]
2008 campaign
A second national campaign ran from February 6 - March 16, with events held in 59 cities during the Christian season of Lent,[6]
A short while after the end of the Spring 2008 Campaign, 40 Days for Life executive director David Bereit was at the White House lawn on April 16 as President George W. Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the White House at the start of his visit to the United States.[7]
A third nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign was scheduled from September 24 - November 2.
2009 campaign
The Spring 2009 campaign had numerous participating cities, including Brisbane Australia, cities in Canada, Northern Ireland, and the United States.
During the Fall 2009 campaign, Abby Johnson, the director of the Planned Parenthood facility in Bryan, Texas (where 40 days for Life had originated), became a pro-life activist. After holding a probe for an ultrasound guided abortion (Johnson was technically the facility manager and thus did not usually perform or assist in abortions) Johnson claims to have seen "the baby move away from the probe" [1]. Shortly after this experience, Johnson quit working for Planned Parenthood and joined the Coalition for Life, the local group that had been praying outside her former facility.[8]
2010 campaign
The Fall 2010 campaign ran from September 22 to October 31, 2010. It attracted attention when a Tennessee abortion provider was arrested for brandishing a handgun at three 40 Days for Life participants demonstrating outside a South Carolina abortion clinic.[9]
2011 campaign
The spring 2011 campaign ran from March 9 to April 17, 2011. 40 Days for Life, according to their definition of embryos and fetuses as babies, says that they are aware of "483 babies who have been saved from abortion" as a result of the campaign.[3]
External links
References
- ^ http://ncregister.com/site/article/3209/ Drake, Tim. "40 Days for Life: Pro-Life Group Launches National Campaign." National Catholic Reporter. Aug 4, 2007.
- ^ 40 Days for Life Launches in Record 238 Locations around the World
- ^ a b 40 Days for Life Campaign Ends, 483 Babies Saved From Abortion
- ^ http://40daysforlife.com/about.cfm?selected=history 40daysforlife.com. "40 Days for life." 2008.
- ^ ZENIT - U.S. Kicks Off 40 Days for Life
- ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS138148+21-Jan-2008+PRN20080121 Reuters.com. "Abortion Opponents in 59 Cities Prepare Focused 40-Day Campaign to Counter Impact" Jan 21, 2008.
- ^ http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?cat=8
- ^ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/planned-parenthood-clinic-director-joins-anti-abortion-group/story?id=8999720
- ^ Police: Abortion doctor pulls gun
