‘We are making a difference, each of us doing our part’
Niece of late civil rights
leader is keynote speaker
at pro-life prayer vigil
Dr. Alveda King of Atlanta, a pastoral associate of Priests for Life and spokeswoman for the national “Silent No More Awareness Campaign,” prays on March 10 in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Indianapolis as part of the spring “40 Days for Life” pro-life prayer vigil. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)
By Mary Ann Wyand
The late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired hundreds of thousands of people to march for the civil rights of African-Americans during the 1950s and 1960s.
He preached tirelessly about equal rights for black people, endured incarceration for the sake of his dream of dignity for every person, and was assassinated because of his belief that all people deserve respect regardless of the color of their skin.
His niece, Dr. Alveda King of Atlanta, continues his civil rights campaign for equality for all people, especially for defenseless unborn babies whose mothers are experiencing crisis pregnancies, as a pastoral associate of Priests for Life and spokeswoman for the national “Silent No More Awareness Campaign.”
She regrets her abortion years ago, and also ministers to women and men harmed by abortion.
King likes to reflect on and quote from her famous uncle’s speeches.
“The Negro cannot win,” Rev. Martin Luther King said about five decades ago, “if he is willing to sacrifice the future of his children for immediate personal comfort and safety.”
She enthusiastically champions his message, emphasizing in all her talks that “abortion is never just about the child or the mother. … How can the dream survive if we murder the children? … African-Americans, like many Americans, are pro-life and uphold procreative marriage.”
King was the keynote speaker for a spring “40 Days for Life” pro-life prayer vigil on March 10 in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic at 8590 N. Georgetown Road in Indianapolis.
Ironically, the pro-life rally was held on the date that the Planned Parenthood Federation of America had declared as “Thank Your Abortion Provider Day.”
Nine unborn babies have been saved in Indianapolis since the Lenten pro-life prayer vigil started on Ash Wednesday, which was Feb. 25, in front of the largest abortion facility in the state, according to Eric Slaughter, co-director of the archdiocesan “40 Days for Life” spring prayer campaign.
In her “Silent No More” speeches, King often criticizes President Barack Obama’s pro-abortion agenda.
“People across the country should let our new president know that we want babies in the womb protected and traditional marriage respected,” she noted in a press statement. “The accomplishment of an African-American holding the nation’s highest office will be of little value if the black community continues to be destroyed by the horrible plagues of society, such as abortion’s harmful effects on our women and children, teen pregnancy, AIDS/HIV, childhood obesity, incarceration of our youth, poverty, attacks on fatherhood [and] marriages, and the hosts of evil we face every day.
“The genocide must end,” she emphasized. “We are one human race, and it’s time to stand up for the truth. It’s time to stand up for life, liberty and family. … We need to let Barack Obama know that our children’s lives are more important than the money and political support of the abortion lobby, and that of all of the other special interest groups that destroy our quality of life. This nation was founded upon life, liberty and justice for all.”
King started her speech in front of the abortion clinic with several prayers.
“President Obama, in the name of Jesus, let the babies live,” she prayed. “Planned Parenthood, in the name of Jesus, let the babies live.”
As Christians, she said, “we have the authority to make that demand and make that claim. And we do believe that this clinic will close and babies will stop being murdered here.”
King also led a large group of women carrying “Silent No More” signs and other pro-life supporters of all ages in the “Prayer to End Abortion.”
The Tuesday afternoon prayer rally attracted about 100 people who also are participating in the “40 Days for Life” spring campaign during Lent.
“I remember meeting David Bereit [a ‘40 Days for Life’ co-founder from College Station, Texas], first by telephone,” she said, “and he was talking about a wonderful truth that if more people would join together and pray, and that if we would pray for 40 days, that we would see a change in the [pro-abortion] climate.
“I began to pray with David,” King said. “I joined some of the first campaigns. Father Frank Pavone [the founder and national director of Priests for Life] is very devoted and committed to standing with [Bereit] and many [pro-life] leaders across the country and many lay people. So when we make that commitment of 40 days of sacrifice and prayer, we should pray every day, all day. We know that, but specifically to pray for life. Certainly, together for 40 days, that makes a difference.”
Pro-life supporters have an obligation to “let our light shine” for others, King said. “Jesus said, ‘Let your light shine that people will see it and glorify God in heaven’ (Mt 5:16). … People who think they need to go in the clinic can see our light. Most of the time when women get abortions, …. it’s because [they] don’t see another way out. But it’s our responsibility as Christians who support life not to condemn, not to judge, not to point fingers, but to open our hands in love and say, ‘Let us help you so you don’t have to do this.’ ”
King asked the pro-life supporters to raise their hands if they have helped save the lives of unborn babies.
As dozens of people held up their hands, she said, “Each of us can give testimonies that God is moving on this Earth. … We are making a difference, each of us doing our part.”
(For more information about the “40 Days for Life” spring prayer campaign, log on to www.40daysforlife.com/Indianapolis.) †
