FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2014

CONTACT: PAM GRAS

(P)(318) 773-6886

TOMORROW: Thousands to Defend Life at Shreveport Event

Second Annual "Life March" Will Feature Prominent Leaders and Concerned Citizens

SHREVEPORT, LA - Thousands of concerned citizens, nationally-known religious leaders, local clergy, and top elected officials will gather in Shreveport-Bossier on Saturday morning, January 17th, for the Second Annual Louisiana Life March North.

The event will consist of a march beginning at 10 AM from Bossier City's "Louisiana Boardwalk," proceeding across the Texas Street Bridge, to a gathering in Shreveport's Festival Plaza. At Festival Plaza, the crowd will be treated to inspiring messages and live music, and be provided with new opportunities to get involved in compassionate pro-life efforts.

Sponsors of the event include Louisiana Right to Life, the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, Louisiana Family Forum, Ark-La-Tex Crisis Pregnancy Center, Heart of Hope Ministries, and Concerned Women for America.

"Last January, over 5,000 pro-life Louisiana citizens stood together at the Louisiana Life March North to promote the sanctity of human life. It was an amazing success for a first-time event." said State Representative-Elect Mike Johnson, a Shreveport attorney who also serves as Legal Counsel for Louisiana Right to Life. "This year, we expect even more people to join us to defend the defenseless unborn child and to stand with women hurt by the abortion industry."

Last year, the event centered around the fact that Shreveport-Bossier is the "abortion capital" of Louisiana. According to numbers compiled by the La. Department of Health and Hospitals, 4,003 abortions were performed at local abortion facilities in 2012 alone. In 2013, the number fell to 3,803 abortions in Shreveport-Bossier.

"Many residents of Northwest Louisiana continue to be outraged that their area provides more abortions than even New Orleans and Baton Rouge," said Ben Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life. "There is no question that these alarming numbers can be reduced when caring people decide enough is enough."

The broad array of speakers for Saturday's rally includes:

U.S. Senator David Vitter
Rev. Jonathan Beck, First United Methodist Church
Pastor James McMenis, Word of God Ministries
Jodi Burns, Executive Director, Heart of Hope
Greg and Kim Banks, African-Americans for Life
Tomeka Thomas, giving her testimony
Pastor Denny Duron, Shreveport Community Church
Dr. Kathy Allen, Louisiana Black Advocates for Life
Pastor Andy Harris, Central Assembly of God
Dr. Chuck Pourciau, Broadmoor Baptist Church
Vickie Brumley, Executive Director, Ark-La-Tex Crisis Pregnancy Center
Chris Davis, Coordinator, 40 Days for Life
Dr. Brad Jurkovich, First Baptist Bossier
Barry LeBlanc, Board President, Ark-La-Tex Crisis Pregnancy Center
Pastor James McMenis, Word of God Ministries

###

Louisiana Right to Life | Lighting the Way to a Pro-Life Louisiana Since 1970
www.ProLifeLouisiana.org | 1.866.463.5433 | info@prolifelouisiana.org