Speakers from all walks of life inspire crowd at Indiana March for Life
Former Planned Parenthood facility director‑turned pro-life advocate Abby Johnson speaks in the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on Jan. 22 during a rose ceremony recognizing the more than 60 million lives lost to abortion since it was legalized in 1973. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)
Compiled by Natalie Hoefer
During the inaugural Indiana March for Life on Jan. 22 in downtown Indianapolis, several speakers shared news, stories and inspiring words at a rally on the lawn of the Indiana Statehouse.
(Related story: Inaugural Indiana March for Life shows pro-life movement ‘is alive and well’)
Afterward, former Planned Parenthood director-turned-pro-life advocate Abby Johnson shared a bit of her story and news of her foundation, And Then There Were None, which seeks to help abortion workers leave their jobs and embrace Christ and the truth of the sanctity of life. Below are excerpts from the speakers.
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson: “There are seven key teachings of the Catholic Church. The very first key is that of always opting for the most vulnerable, for the poor, … those on the margins, those sometimes overlooked or maybe not treated as well as they should. … These are our brothers and sisters. Even in the womb, we believe they are part of the human family.”
Anna Allgaier, Great Lakes Regional Coordinator for Students for Life of America: “Young people understand this [pro-life movement] is not a women’s issue—it’s a human rights issue.”
Dan Bartemus, pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis: “We worship God. He gave us life. It is a blatant violation to destroy the life he creates in the womb. … [God’s] law is the law of life.”
Sue Swayze-Leibel, coordinator of the Susan B. Anthony List’s National Women’s Pro-Life Caucus and pro-life lobbyist: “Here in Indiana … we have a pro-life governor, Senate, House [of Representatives], attorney general. … We are one of the most pro-life states in the country. In 2011, we became the first state to defund Planned Parenthood. … We banned abortion based on race or gender in 2016 [now under federal review]. … If you can’t discriminate after someone is born, why should you be allowed to discriminate in the womb?”
From a letter written by Gov. Eric Holcomb: “I am committed to supporting the cause of protecting human life. … You will continue to receive my support.”
Robin Schilling of Silent No More: “We [members] have experienced the physical, emotional and spiritual consequences of abortion. It is not just a women’s issue but a men’s issue, a grandparents’ issue, a siblings’ issue. … Abortion is like a Band-Aid: when you rip it off, the scar is still there.”
Abby Johnson: “I would love to be able to turn back time and save the life of my two [aborted] babies. … I will always feel the emptiness of the two children I was never able to hold in my arms.
“[Planned Parenthood] knows that former workers are their greatest threat, because we know the things they don’t want others to know. … [And Then There Were None has] helped 419 abortion workers leave their jobs so far. Not just leave, … but get them in a relationship with Jesus Christ, because true healing can’t come apart from Jesus Christ. … The number of [abortion centers] closed because of former workers leaving through our ministry is 27. …
“But if [making abortion illegal] is where we stop, we’re not changing the culture of our country. Cultural change happens because of conversion, and that’s what you do. … It’s not enough to just sit here and be pro-life—you have to live pro-life! I encourage you all today to find your place in this movement so you are making the thought of abortion inconceivable. … Don’t be afraid to defend the Gospel of Life.” †
