Abortion Opponents Prepare Nationwide Campaign Following Victory in Aurora, IL

40 Days for Life campaign begins Sept. 26

AURORA, Ill., September 20, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) -

"On September 26, more than 80 cities in 33 states will follow the courageous example set by Aurora, Illinois, and join together for the largest and longest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in American history," said David Bereit, national director of the 40 Days for Life campaign.

The 40-day pro-life campaign in Aurora that thwarted the scheduled opening of a new Planned Parenthood abortion facility was inspired by 40 Days for Life. Local pro-life leaders have collaborated with the national 40 Days for Life campaign since the news broke about Planned Parenthood's attempts to open the abortion center under false pretenses.

Bereit will deliver the keynote address at tonight's pro- life rally in Aurora. The event will be held at Wheatland Community Park beginning at 5:30 PM. Bereit's address starts at approximately 7:00 p.m.

40 Days for Life is an intensive pro-life campaign that focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil at abortion facilities, and grassroots educational outreach. This fall's nationwide campaign builds on a track record of proven results in seven cities. More information can be found at: http://www.40daysforlife.com

Planned Parenthood's national president, Cecile Richards, sent a mass e-mail about the Aurora situation to abortion advocates around the country, stating that "more people are protesting this clinic than we've seen in a long time." She added, "To be honest, it's going to take all our efforts to open this clinic."

Said Bereit, "If it takes all of Planned Parenthood's national efforts to respond to 40 days of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism in one city, we can only imagine the impact it will have on the entire abortion industry when more than 80 cities join together for 40 Days for Life beginning next week. The events in Aurora have inspired unprecedented levels of pro-life activity all across the nation, forming a 'perfect storm' which we believe could mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America."