The annual Hands around the Capitol Rally and March took place this past Saturday in Augusta. The annual event, which is organized by Maine Right to Life, is intended as a public expression of mourning for the loss of life caused by abortion since the passage of the Supreme Court decision  Rowe v. Wade.

The day's events began with a prayer service at Penny Memorial United Baptist Church and mass at St. Mary's, after which Pro-Life supporters gathered at St. Mary's gym to hear speakers which included Bishop Richard Malone and gubernatorial candidate William Beardsley. Rev. Lester Dow of Cornerstone Baptist Church gave the invocation.

To judge from the standing-room-only crowd, the Pro-Life movement is growing rapidly. The crowd was larger than in earlier years, and was estimated at 400 - 500 people. Further evidence for the growing strength of the Pro-Life movement are the  buses going to the March for Life event in Washington on January 20 - 23rd. Seats on the buses have already been fully booked, and there is a waiting list for cancellations.

One standout of the day was 40 Days for Life, an organization which has already saved the lives of over 2,000 babies. 40 Days for Life holds vigils outside of abortion clinics in Augusta and nearby Richmond, and is credited with having, through prayer and fasting, convinced one director of an abortion clinic to repent and find another line of work. 

Speakers at the rally requested that people pray for the conversion of Barack Obama on the issue of abortion. It was also requested that Pro-Life supporters call Senators Snowe and Collins, and Representatives Pingree and Michaud to ask them to help defeat the current health care bill. The speakers emphasized that abortion is not health care, and if the bill passes, America will see the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.

The contact information for Senators Snowe and Collins and Representatives Pingree and Michaud is given below. Callers should request that no health care bill include abortion; and there should be no funding for abortion, and no removal of conscience clauses which protect doctors who refuse to perform  abortions.

A useful new form of activism was also introduced, Pro-Life University, a fun and informative program which allows people to gain a certificate in Pro-Life Studies. Students can gain credits toward the certificate by a number of simple and rewarding activities which promote the goals of the Pro-Life movement. In addition to classwork, students earn credits by participating in Pro-Life rallies and other events.

Following the rally at St. Mary's gym, marchers formed a solemn procession, and marched past the office of the Christian Civic League on Sewall Street, down three blocks to the capitol, where they joined hands to circle the State House. There they mourned the victims of abortion by ringing the capitol bell 37 times, once for each year since Roe v. Wade.

Contact Information for the Maine Congressional Delegation

Senator Susan Collins

(202) 224-2523
email: click here

Senator Olympia Snowe

(202) 224-5344
email:  click here

Representative Mike Michaud

(202) 225-6306
email:  click here

Representative Chellie Pingree

(202) 225-6116
email: click here