Rock for Life's Training and Activism Weekend
This year’s Training and Activism Weekend was a lot of hard work but definitely worth it.
On Saturday, the snow really killed us, in terms of the number of attendees. But I believe the snow and low temperatures were really a challenge to see how much we were willing to sacrifice for the babies and their mothers. It was stinking cold and wet outside, but it didn’t matter. Babies were being butchered inside Planned Parenthood and we needed to be there.
When we arrived at Planned Parenthood that morning they had put up chain link fence with barbed wire around the front of their property with a banner that read something to the effect of “we will stay open, no matter what.” What was interesting is that their ridiculousness led to a visual similar to Nazi death camps.
What’s really interesting about the Planned Parenthood in Washington is the fact that the sidewalk leading up to the entrance door is considered a public right-of-way. Many of us lined up alongside the sidewalk to pray. Some sang, some got on their hands and knees and some read scripture. It was very encouraging to be a part of this with so many.
From there we walked in silence to the U.S. Supreme Court. Saving Arrows provided 33 crosses, one for each year of decriminalized abortion. By the time we reached the Supreme Court to pray, the snow really started to fall. Many of us got on our hands and knees and called out to God to have mercy on our country and to end this senseless slaughter.
The snow, unfortunately, kept three of the bands from getting to our concert. The Mint, XLooking ForwardX & Red Letter Philosophy had to cancel. Foreknown, Torn from Red and Here Today were able to make it, so we still rocked the house -- in spite of the snow, the cold, and some bad info that was making the rounds. Some people thought we cancelled the show. Also Jeff Tragedy, who helped book the bands and run the show, had his myspace broken into. Whoever did this then e-mailed his whole list informing everyone the show was cancelled.
Three busloads arrived from Michigan to provide a huge show of support. That was definitely cool.
Sunday’s workshops were well attended and many really liked the set-up and the speakers. Huge thanks to all the speakers that came and shared with us.
The march was, well a march. We represented and the people listened. It was cold and wet, but again this was a challenge. At the Supreme Court we again got on our knees to ask God for mercy and to end the slaughter.
We tried out our “1/3 forever silenced” message and I was pleasantly surprised by its success. Strangers were asking us what it meant, which opened the door to sharing the truth about abortion and the devastating effect it has had on our generation. Look for us in the near future to have a full line of pro-life gear with this message on it.
Tell us what you thought of the weekend. Did you attend? What did you think? What would you like to see done next year? What can you do without? Did you wish you could have made it? Do you have a message for all those that attended? Let us know what you are thinking and we’ll post your comments here on the web site.
Overall it was a pleasure to see so many of my friends and to meet new ones. It’s an honor to work alongside so many young pro-lifers that have dedicated their lives to saving our generation from the death grip of abortion.
Mark these dates down in your calendar: Rock for Life’s Training and Activism Weekend (Jan. 20-24, 2006) and the March for Life (Jan. 23, 2006). Make your plans now to attend and start saving your money. It’s well worth it. We’ll be there until Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton are stricken from the books. Will you join us?
-Erik
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