Texas Insider

Published: 02-25-09

Life-saving grassroots movement underway in Texas capital

AUSTIN, Texas—40 Days for Life Austin, a groundbreaking grassroots movement, launched its first full-time campaign in the heart of Texas on Wednesday. The Campaign Director Elizabeth McClung said this effort to defend life is greatly needed in the Texas capital.

40 Days for Life Austin is a powerful campaign of prayer, fasting, community outreach and a constant peaceful vigil to end abortion.

The initiative began in College Station, Texas in 2004. It has since spread to more than 130 American cities and several foreign countries.
 
“This campaign is uniting people across the country and world who desire to defend the dignity of human life,” McClung said. “It is more important than ever that we put our pro-life convictions into action to protect unborn babies and their mothers. So it is encouraging to see such an overwhelming response from people across Central Texas who want to stand up for life.”

The campaign takes place from Feb. 25 – Apr. 5. The visible public centerpiece is a peaceful, prayer vigil at an abortion facility. McClung said the Austin campaign has signed up more than 150 volunteers to participate.

“In several short years, this movement has gained strong momentum in various cities and is already having a life-saving impact,” McClung added. “This spring in Austin we are going to build on that work of saving lives, touching hearts and changing minds.”

McClung noted that since 40 Days for Life began more than 1,120 babies nationwide have been saved from abortion. The local campaign is supported by the Catholic Diocese of Austin and numerous churches in the area, in addition to State Sens. Dan Patrick, and State Reps. Phil King, Linda Harper-Brown and Tan Parker.

40 Days for Life Austin also announced that it will hold an official Kick-Off on Feb. 28 at 10:00 AM. The event is open to the public. Anyone wishing to attend can email the following address for more information: 40daysforlifeaustin@gmail.com.