NATIONAL PRO-LIFE NEWS
National Right to Life Marks 30 Years at St. Louis Convention
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
June 22, 2003
St. Louis, MO (LifeNews.com) — One of the oldest and largest pro-life organziations in the country will mark 30 years of fighting to
protect the right to live at its national convention in St. Louis
over the Independence Day holiday.
At least 1,000 pro-life activists are expected to attend the
three-day National Right to Life event, scheduled for July 3-5 at
the Hyatt Regency at Union Station.
Scheduled speakers include entertainer and banquet keynote
speaker Ben Stein and commentator Michael Medved, both outspoken pro-life advocates. Appearances also are planned by St. Louis Archbishop Justin Rigali and Missouri Secretary of State Matt
Blunt, a Republican.
Holly Miller, the organziation’s national field coordinator said
the group also expects President Bush to greet convention goers
with a videotaped message.
The theme of the event, in keeping with the holiday, is "I am an
American." Although the convention also will address euthanasia
and health care, Miller acknowledged that the primary focus will
be on how to end abortions.
Missouri Right to Life President Pam Manning said the selection
of St. Louis as this year’s convention site is "an honor for the
many pro-life people who are here."
Dozens of workshops will be held on a variety of topics including
the impact of abortion on the black and Hispanic communities,
updates on chemical abortion methods, and the latest efforts to
stop groups seeking to legalize assisted suicide.
Paula Gianino, president of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis
Region, said her organization will not likely protest the event.
However, Bill Baird, an early leader in the pro-abortion movement
who annually protests the convention, is expected to attend.
Meanwhile, leaders of the local chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice
America say they are discussing what action to take, if any, to
show their opposition.
"We are in the process of deciding how much energy and resources
to devote to a direct action," said Carolyn Sullivan, executive
director for the Missouri affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
"We have not ruled out a protest of their presence."
For more NRLC Convention information, go to
https://www.nrlc.org/convention/index.html
