Proclaim freedom for the Unborn
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
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The pro-life movement is all about freedom. That’s why Priests for Life,
with the leadership of our Pastoral Associate Dr. Alveda King, is launching
“Freedom Rides” for the unborn to galvanize pro-life activity across the
country.
During the Civil Rights movement, the “Freedom Rides” constituted a
distinctive moment of resolve and unity. The Supreme Court, in its 1960
decision
Boynton vs. Virginia, had outlawed segregation in bus
terminals and restaurants serving interstate travelers. So the following
spring, thirteen people – seven African-Americans and six whites – decided
to travel by bus from Washington DC to New Orleans to test the enforcement
of that Supreme Court decision.
Along the way, particularly in Alabama, they encountered opposition and
violence from those who did not want desegregation. But having been brutally
attacked, and some lying with wounds in hospital beds, the “Freedom Riders”
vowed that the journey would continue. That’s when others joined in, and the
initial Freedom Ride became 60 rides across Southern states in the summer of
1961, with some 450 riders participating. And by the fall of that same year,
the government issued orders for the enforcement of desegregation at the bus
terminals.
The Civil Rights movement and the Pro-Life movement have the same heart and
soul: a longing for equal justice for everyone, based on the inherent
dignity of every human life. That’s why, when Dr. Alveda King first walked
with me at the annual March for Life and I asked her, “Does this remind you
of the marches in the civil rights movement?” she declared, “Fr. Frank, this
is the civil rights movement!” Both movements are movements of freedom.
It is therefore time for Freedom Rides for the unborn. The pro-life movement
is more ready than ever to proclaim
freedom…
Freedom from the lies and the deceit that allow abortion to
continue…
Freedom from the fear of speaking up and taking action for the
unborn…
Freedom from the shame and guilt of past involvement in abortion,
so that those called to speak up and share their testimonies may do so as
people who are “Silent No More”…
Freedom from the political oppression that tramples on human rights
and denies equality before the law…
Freedom from violence and death itself.
People will be invited to participate in the Freedom Rides themselves. The
bus rides are a symbol of the journey we are on, of the fellowship we share
with each other, and of the fact that we are a movement. Major events in
cities along the bus routes will be held, in which all the different facets
of the pro-life
movement will be invited to participate.
At the same time, people not on the rides or along the route can participate
by being “Freedom Riders for the Unborn” and carrying out special projects
that will be coordinated among Freedom Riders nationwide.
In his first public sermon, Jesus summarized his message and mission by
saying he had come to “proclaim liberty to the captives…” As his disciples,
as his People of Life, let us do the same!
For more information visit www.ProLifeFreedomRides.com.
2009 Columns
