Jamaica Gleaner

Int’l figures weigh in on abortion debate locally

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GLOBAL PRO-LIFE advocates are slated to shore up the efforts of local campaigner­s when they visit Jamaica next week to participat­e in a number of activities to increase public awareness about the vexed issue of abortion.

American pro-life campaigner Dr

Alveda King, niece of the late Rev Dr

Martin Luther King Jr, is expected to meet with scores of local church leaders at a special breakfast to be held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on May 24.

She will be in the island for a week of activities to sensitise prolife advocates on strategies to bring about increased public awareness on the issue.

Joining her on the visit will be

Michael Manhardt, producer of the box office hit movie Unplanned, who will attend the internatio­nal premiere on Wednesday, May 22, at

The Courtleigh Auditorium at 7 p.m. Parliament­arians and members of the joint select committee examining the abortion law, as well as members of the public have been invited to the movie premiere.

The movie will also be shown, free of cost, to residents of Southside at the Bethlehem Home Chapel, and at least two other communitie­s during that week.

Dr King, who is a director of ‘Silent No More Awareness’ campaign, author and former state representa­tive for the 28th District in the Georgia House of Representa­tives, will be accompanie­d by Janet Morana, executive director of ‘Silent No More Awareness campaign, the world’s largest mobilisati­on of women and men who have lost children to abortion.

Both women will also be part of a panel discussion on the theme ‘A Resolve for Life: Confrontin­g the Issues of Pro-life or Pro-Choice’ on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m., at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston. Members of the public who wish to attend should register by calling: 876 879 0009 or by email: jamaicacau­se@gmail.com.

The pro-life advocates will be hosted by Jamaica

Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipati­on (Jamaica CAUSE); Christians United for Life (CUFL); Missionari­es of the Poor; and Church of God in Jamaica.

“I am very excited about the fact that these respected, global pro-life advocates will be coming to Jamaica to assist in heightenin­g the awareness of the significan­t impact of terminatin­g the life of an unborn child, and to promote the interest of those who have considered abortion and need support to make their final decision in the interest of the unborn child. The visit comes in the wake of discussion­s taking place in Parliament to legalise abortion which is, in effect, giving licence to kill the unborn,” said Bishop Alvin Bailey, chairman of Jamaica CAUSE.

“It speaks volumes to the morality of our nation when we stand as a united Church against the actions of pro-choice organisati­ons and persons. It is therefore our hope that more Jamaicans will take a stand against the legalisati­on of abortion; that the bill presently before Parliament will be withdrawn; and that Jamaica, under God, will increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity as we play our part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race,” he added.

 ??  ?? Bishop Alvin Bailey CONTRIBUTE­D Dr Alveda King
Bishop Alvin Bailey CONTRIBUTE­D Dr Alveda King

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