We hope that you can join us for the annual LIFE WALK. The details are on the attachment. If you are not able to join us in person, you can still support Upper Downriver Right to Life in our ongoing work. You can pledge or mail your donation. If you would like to help us make phone calls (requesting pledges) to our members who do not have e-mail, please reply to this message. We especially need to work to re-elect pro-life President Trump and elect John James for senate in November.
Each human person is unique. Everyone has their own special qualities. Since the beginning of time, no two people are exactly the same. Not even identical twins! Each of us is created in the image and likeness of God (see Genesis 1:27)
There is a lot of interest in genealogy, because people want to know where they come from. Each of us has a mother and a father. It is biology. There is a need to know our biological parents, even if we are not fortunate enough to be raised by both of them. Children have a right to know and to be raised by their mother and their father. A forever marriage is the natural means for loving family formation. It is unfortunate for the child when that is not the case.
As a national people, we celebrate Mother’s Day. We recognize the value and importance of our own mother on that day. Everyone has a mother. Mothers are critically important to the continuation of humanity! So we celebrate mothers.
Just as important are fathers! So we celebrate Father’s Day. But in recent decades, many men have abdicated their role and the duties of fatherhood. And society is hurting because of it. Seventy percent of the children born in Detroit are born into families with no father, even though, obviously, someone “fathered” each child. How can we encourage these child-less fathers to accept their responsibility?
And what about the mothers who abort their children because they have been abandoned by the child’s father? There is a lot of hidden pain for the mothers and fathers of more than 60 million babies aborted in the United States in the last 46 years.
Seeking to reduce some of the pain, I am part of a group of people circulating a petition to ban dismemberment abortion. This is a type of late term abortion that literally tears a child limb from limb while in its mother’s womb. These children cry and no one hears. We seek to respond to their cries.
With 400,000 signatures, this citizen initiated legislation will go directly to the legislature in Michigan, where it was already passed last May. But the governor promised to veto it. So we are going directly to the people. With enough signatures, the governor cannot veto it.
But we need help. We have only until December to gather these signatures. Many churches have held drives already. Many registered voters signed the petition when we were at Street Fairs and Festivals during the summer. But we need more help. If you can help, please go to the website: MichiganValuesLife.org and request a petition. Sign it. Ask your family and friends to sign and mail it in. If you want to do even more, visit the Right to Life of Michigan Resource Center, 2010 Eureka in Wyandotte. The babies need our help. Mothers and fathers need our help.
If we don’t appreciate human life or respect and defend innocent life, what value is our own life? Every human life is valuable. Prove it! Do something! See MichiganValuesLife.org.
Sincerely, Deborah Bloomfield
(Also submitted to the News Herald)
It’s great that the local Republicans are sponsoring pro-life speakers. If you go, please let them know that you are from Upper Downriver Right to Life.
Southern Downriver Right to Life has invited us to join them at their 2019 Pastor’s Luncheon.
Please check out the RTL of Michigan (for people outside of Michigan, please refer to the RTL center in your state) site for election endorsements. Statistics from the Pew Research Center and the United States Census Bureau, are showing that the pro-choice side of the isle is outweighing the pro-life side in registering and getting out to vote in the primaries. Please share these facts with your friends and family. Post the info on your Facebook, Twitter, or personal blogs, and ask your friends to do the same. The Resource Center at 2010 Eureka, Wyandotte (inside the small mall at 20th and Eureka) has some great flyers to pass out or to use, itemizing the various views of the candidates on:
We watched the dirty tricks of deceit, delay and destroy at Judge Kavanaugh’s Hearing yesterday and chances are things are going to even get worse the closer we get to the election. It is time to stop the insanity, the violence, and the destructive path that the left is leading us into, and the BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
https://election.rtl.org/endorsements
According to the United States Census Bureau, In 2016, 61.4 percent of the citizen voting-age population reported voting, a number not statistically different from the 61.8 percent who reported voting in 2012. Voting rates have historically varied by race and Hispanic origin, and In 2012, voting rates for non-Hispanic blacks (66.6 percent) were higher than non-Hispanic whites (64.1 percent) for the first time since 1980, In 2016, turnout increased to 65.3 percent for non-Hispanic whites, but decreased to 59.6 percent for non-Hispanic blacks, which was only the second election in this series where the share of non-Hispanic black voters decreased, from 12.9 percent in 2012 to 11.9 percent in 2016.
When analyzed together, reported turnout by age, race and Hispanic origin differed in 2016 as well. In comparison to 2012, younger non-Hispanic whites between the ages of 18 to 29 and between the ages of 30 to 44 reported higher turnout in 2016, while voting rates for the two oldest groups of non-Hispanic whites were not statistically different (Figure 5). Meanwhile, for non-Hispanic blacks, turnout rates decreased in 2016 for every age group. For other race non-Hispanics and Hispanics of any race, voting rates between 2012 and 2016 were not statistically different for any age groups.
According to the Pew Research Center, The black voter turnout rate declined for the first time in 20 years in a presidential election, falling to 59.6% in 2016 after reaching a record-high 66.6% in 2012. The 7-percentage-point decline from the previous presidential election is the largest on record for blacks. (It’s also the largest percentage-point decline among any racial or ethnic group since white voter turnout dropped from 70.2% in 1992 to 60.7% in 1996.) The number of black voters also declined, falling by about 765,000 to 16.4 million in 2016, representing a sharp reversal from 2012.
The Latino voter turnout rate held steady at 47.6% in 2016, compared with 48.0% in 2012. the number of Latino voters grew to a record 12.7 million in 2016, up from 11.2 million in 2012. Even so, the number of Latino nonvoters – those eligible to vote who do not cast a ballot, or 14 million in 2016 – was larger than the number of Latino voters, a trend that extends back to each presidential election since 1996. Meanwhile, the Asian voter turnout rate increased to 49.3% in 2016, up from 46.9% in 2012 and surpassing Hispanics for the first time since 1996. Asians continue to represent a smaller share of voters than Hispanics: Overall, about 5 million Asians voted in 2016, up from 3.8 million in 2012.
Americans appear to be more engaged with this year’s midterm elections than they typically are. Not only do about half of registered voters report being more enthusiastic than usual about voting, up from 40% in 2014, but turnout has surged in the 31 states that already have held their congressional primaries – particularly among Democrats.
The total number of votes cast in Democratic House primaries so far this year is 84% higher than the total for the equivalent point in 2014. One reason: There have been a lot more contested primaries, which tend to attract more voters.
Republican turnout in House primaries also has increased, from a combined 8.6 million votes at this point in 2014 (7% of registered voters) to 10.7 million (7.9%) so far this year. But the increase is much smaller (24%) than on the Democratic side, and the total number of votes cast in Democratic House primaries is considerably higher. Overall turnout in U.S. Senate and gubernatorial primaries also is above 2014 levels.
It was a beautiful day to be surrounded by all that came out to march from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Wyandotte, to the chapel at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, where we held a prayer service and laid roses at the foot of the memorial stone for aborted babies, on the eve of Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton. The President of our local group, Ed Kroll, lit the memorial candle to mourn the victims of abortion, mothers, fathers, and babies.
Deacon Richard Bloomfield let us in prayer as members of our local Knights of Columbus stood at attention and other members took turn in reading parts of the responsive prayers. We were honored with the presence of so many young teenagers from St. Vincent Pallotti who joined us as part of their Confirmation Class.
The afternoon ended with an Open House at the Right to Life of Michigan Resource Center where we had pizza and donuts, and enjoyed the company of other pro-life activists. We also awarded a warm and cuddly throw to Carol Thorne, with the most beautiful picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on it, as one of the donors for our Signature Ad. The name of the winner was chosen by Hannah Maciag, the beautiful young daughter of Angie Maciag, the Office Manager of our Resource Center.
Southern Downriver Right to Life has invited us to join them in their Trenton Memorial Day March for Life.
“Nothing could be finer than to be in Trenton, Michigan in the morning! Nothing could be sweeter than Right to Lifers marching in the morning!”
With apologies to Dean Martin, Al Jolson, Judy Garland, & the Carolinas, we need you next Saturday, May 27th at the Trenton Memorial Day Parade.
The parade is relatively short, about 1 mile, and is a lot of fun!
Because West Rd. is under construction, we will gather at King Rd. and Westfield. The line-up starts at 9:30 AM, and the parade starts at 10:00. We will march south on Westfield from King to Fort Street. Parking is available at Trenton High School and the Kennedy Ice Arena. Wear any Right to Life attire you have: shirts, pins, hats, etc. Otherwise, wear something with a patriotic (red, white, & blue) theme. If you don’t have any of this stuff, don’t worry, you will be just fine.
This is a great way to get a little exercise and stand-up for The Right to Life, the very first right Thomas Jefferson wrote about in our Declaration of Independence.
It will be beautiful parade in a beautiful city on a beautiful spring day.
But it will not compare with the beautiful smile on the Good Lord’s face when He sees YOU marching for His unborn children in the Trenton Memorial Day Parade.
So go ahead. Put a smile on God’s face. See you there.”
Joe Connors
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Southern Downriver Right to Life
(734)-241-4277 Office
(734)-241-3602 Fax
(734)-735-8001 Cell
(Excerpt from Michigan Right to Life Blog)
“New Center for Medical Progress video: laughing about ripping out eyes
The Center for Medical Progress released a new video today showing a montage of abortionists callously talking about abortion.
“Released” isn’t the right word because it was an unlisted YouTube link simply titled “preview.” Someone, somehow got wind of it and posted the link to it today. The clips include some old video but it appears to be mostly new footage at National Abortion Federation (NAF) events. The Center for Medical Progress has yet to share it themselves outside of their unlisted YouTube link….
NAF is currently in court to block the release of additional undercover footage taken at their events. A quick view of the video and you can see why. Who jokes about ripping eyeballs out of babies’ heads and having them fall on you?”
To read the entire article, please go to: http://rlmblog.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-center-for-medical-progress-video.html
Dear Defenders of LIFE:
Witness to LIFE and Call for the Defunding of PP– That Battle is NOT Yet WON!
Join the Protests and Prayer Vigils at Michigan Planned Parenthoods as part of the Nationwide Protest PP Event.
Friday April 28th/ Saturday, April 29th
See all Michigan Locations Below
Now is not the time to back away from our pro-life witness– but indeed to continue to publicly stand for LIFE–and continue to shed a spot light on the anti-life practices of Planned Parenthood.
And–as I write this memo PP is STILL NOT DEFUNDED!! Indeed there will be a sit-in at Speaker Paul Ryan’s office in D. C. on April 27th to urge him to stop stalling and bring a vote to DEFUND PP!
YOU KNOW THE OTHER SIDE IS FIRED UP!! AND SUPPORTERS OF PP HAVE BEEN STAGING PROTESTS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES!
LET US NOT NEGLECT OUR DUTY TO STAND FOR LIFE!!
See http://protestpp.com/ for ALL locations– everywhere! — and it is still NOT too late to plan one of these demonstrations! Sign up here as a leader! http://protestpp.com/signup/
Here are the Michigan locations:
Ann Arbor
Planned Parenthood – Ann Arbor-West Health Center, 2370 W Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (Map & Directions) Rally and Jericho March: 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Contact the pro-life leader in Ann Arbor Sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society Ann Arbor.
Planned Parenthood – Ann Arbor Health Center,
3100 Professional Dr, Ann Arbor , MI 48104 (Map & Directions) Rally: 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Contact the pro-life leader in Ann Arbor. Sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society.
Detroit
Planned Parenthood – Detroit Health Center, 4229 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 (Map & Directions) Protest: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28. Contact the pro-life leader in Detroit. Sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and Pro-Life Detroit.
Grand Rapids
Planned Parenthood – Irwin/Martin Health Center, 425 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (Map & Directions) Time: 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28. Note: For more information, please call Grand Rapids Right to Life at 616-532-2300. Contact the pro-life leader in Grand Rapids. Sponsored by Grand Rapids Right to Life.
Kalamazoo
Planned Parenthood – Kalamazoo Health Center, 4201 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 (Map & Directions) Picket: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29. Contact the pro-life leader in Kalamazoo. Sponsored by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and Pro-Life Detroit.
Lansing
Planned Parenthood – Lansing Health Center, 300 N Clippert St, Lansing, MI 48912 (Map & Directions) Prayer Vigil: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29. Note: Meet across the street on Clippert on the grassy berm that is the public right of way. Please park in the Sears parking lot. Contact the pro-life leader in Lansing,
Muskegon
Planned Parenthood – Muskegon Health Center, 209 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 (Map & Directions) Prayer Vigil: 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 29 beginning at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Note: Group will gather at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 695 Allen Avenue map and process to Planned Parenthood. Contact the pro-life leader in Muskegon. Sponsored by Muskegon County Right to Life.
Petoskey
Planned Parenthood – Petoskey Health Center, 1003 Spring Street, Petoskey, MI (Map & Directions) Protest: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28. Contact the pro-life leader in Petoskey.
Traverse City
St. Joseph Church, 12675 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 (Map & Directions)
Prayer Vigil: 11:00 a.m . – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Contact the pro-life leader in Traverse City
The 11th annual Archdiocesan Pro-life Youth Conference “Justice for All-Be Their Voice” will be held April 29th at Bishop Foley High School, 32000 Campbell Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071, beginning at 12noon.
The conference will feature Emmy award- winning Keynote speaker Ryan Bomberger from the Radiance Foundation who will speak on The Beauty of Possibility and the Social Injustice of Abortion, as well as his break-out session Adopted and Loved.
Additional break-out sessions affirming student’s personal worth and their unique purpose include:
Vendor Resource Tables Representatives will be on hand to share valuable resources with students. Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hanchon will cap off the conference with the celebration of Sunday Vigil Mass following Praise and Worship at 4:45. Opportunity for Confession, Adoration, Praise & Worship as well! Following Mass students are welcome to stay for dinner, and a closing DJ dance, ending at 9:30 pm.
Register today …don’t miss out!! www.prolifeyouth.com
Cost: $18 for groups advance/ $20 at the door – includes original conference T-shirt, take away resources, dinner and DJ dancing! $10 Dance Only.
All 8th Grade through college students are welcome to attend! Bring a friend, make some friends, have a great time, and hope to see you there!
Downriver Activism & Empathy 