Speakers, rally to highlight Monroe Walk for Life Saturday
Two nationally known speakers, a young pro-life advocate, and an opening and closing rally will highlight the 2023 Monroe Walk for Life Saturday in downtown Monroe.
"Changing Hearts – One Heart at a Time" is the theme for the event that will begin at noon and end at 4 p.m. at the St. Mary Catholic Central High School gym, 118 W. Elm Ave. The march, in its fifth year, will focus on empowering both adults and youth toward greater activism to protect the sanctity of life in the womb, William Terrasi, founder of the Ius Vitae Foundation and coordinator for the walk, said. Ius Vitae, which is Latin for “right to life,” is chief sponsor for the walk.
The opening rally will feature two short videos and an address by Monica Miller, a pro-life activist for over 30 years and founder and director of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society based in Ann Arbor. She is also an associate professor of Sacred Theology at Madonna University. Miller recently served 45 days in an Oakland County jail after she and three others were arrested for counseling women Feb. 24 at an abortion clinic in Southfield. The four, including a Franciscan priest, belong to the Red Rose Rescuers, a group that visits abortion clinics to hand out red roses and anti-abortion literature to women. The charges said the four encouraged women and their boyfriends to continue their pregnancies rather than abort.
Miller told the Michigan Catholic the counseling was an effort to "save unborn lives by speaking to women about alternatives to abortion," part of a national effort by the rescue group. Miller said the four entered the waiting room at the clinic to speak to women waiting to have abortions. They prayed and offered roses with cards attached offering information on pregnancy help. The four spoke to several women before law enforcement officers arrived and ordered them to leave.
Joe Boggs, a history teacher and adviser for a Monroe youth group, will host the rally and introduce the speakers. Rev. David Burgard, pastor of St. Mary and St. John Catholic churches, will give an opening prayer followed by remarks by Terrasi.
Following the opening, the assembly will walk with signs to Trinity Lutheran Church, 323 Scott St., for a welcome and remarks about the day’s theme by senior pastor Daniel Potts followed by an address by John Agubosim, a recent graduate of the University of Toledo who majored in computer engineering. Currently employed as a software developer at First Solar, he has been involved in the anti-abortion movement for over five years since high school and college. Even as a life-long Catholic, Agubosim thought he was a liberal and favored pro-choice thinking. But his view changed in recent years after discerning that what the pro-choice side espoused was not in line with his values. Agubosium joined the UT Students for Life group, became treasurer and then president in his final year.
From Trinity, participants will walk back to SMCC to hear Dr. Donna Harrison, an anti-abortion obstetrician and gynecologist, who will speak on “Life After Roe vs. Wade.” Recently retired as chief executive officer, she currently serves as director of research for the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, one of the largest non-sectarian, anti-abortion physician organizations in the world.
Following her address will be a video produced by the SMCC Respect Life Club and closing remarks from Terrasi.
Walkers will be allowed to carry signs they bring or those provided by organizers. Walkers also are encouraged to bring donations of baby clothing, formula, diapers, wipes and other infant items to distribute among several pregnancy resource centers in Monroe County. Walkers also will be able to visit presentation tables and receive free, pro-life merchandise and information materials from virtually every pro-life organization in the county. All mothers and grandmothers will receive a gift in honor of Mother’s Day. A silent auction with more than a dozen gift items and baskets is also planned. Winners will be announced shortly after 3 p.m. Those attending the opening rally can remain in the gym and wait for the ending rally if they prefer not to walk. Music will be provided by Celestial Blues.
Monetary donations for the walk can be made to Ius Vitae to be used for various anti-abortion initiatives in the county, or to a pregnancy resource center, maternity home or pro-life organization present.
General monetary donations for the walk can be made to Ius Vitae. Checks should be mailed to Ius Vitae, 3244 N. Custer Road, Monroe, MI 48162.
Further information is available by emailing iusvitae@aol.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Speakers, rally to highlight Monroe Walk for Life May 13
