By Mary Beth Marino

Black armbands adorned two children’s arms while holding a sign that said, “In memory of kids like me, who were killed by abortion.”

This was the tone set for Saturday’s memorial service and march, in honor of the unborn children killed by abortion now legalized from inception to the full term pregnancy, since 11 years ago.

Freezing 30 degrees weather did not stop 3,000 men, women, children, senior citizens, clergy and government officials from attending a service at the Marriott hotel in downtown Atlanta. A silent march then proceeded to the State Capitol.

Two noted speakers addressing the service were Rev. Peter Marshall, Presbyterian minister and author, and Dr. Jean Staker Garton, author of the book, “Who Broke The Baby?”.

At a press conference preceding the service, statistics were revealed that there were more babies killed by abortion, than people killed by war in this country since 1775. In Georgia alone, there are more than 30,000 abortions each year, and Atlanta records more abortions than live births.

Rev. Marshall said that one of the biggest problems America has regarding this issue, is the lack of solid, sensible, Christian oriented thinking, or morally based thinking. The reason for this he feels, is that Americans are obsessed with having pleasurable, easy, comfortable lives, and anything that interrupts that lifestyle, anything that prevents one from having a comfortable life, is regarded as foreign.

“Nowhere, in the bounty of this nation, does it say that we have the right to do as we please at the expense or safety of all others,” Rev. Marshall said.

Responding to the charge that women would return to back-alley abortionists without this law, Jean Staker Garton said, “What other law would we adjust, because people break the law? There are people who murder despite laws against it, and there are the laws to accommodate those with weaknesses to break the law. Whether it is a legal abortion, an innocent human being is killed.”

Dr. Garton was then asked if she felt this issue would really be changed under law. “The chances are incredibly good. The evidence, according to the polls, indicate that an overwhelming majority in this country does not want the abortion-on-demand situation we have."

Rev. Marshall closed the press conference by saying “it simply amounts to American’s recovering the moral and spiritual basis for our society. Are we going to continue to surrender the pillars and foundations of our lives in this land?

The memorial service began with Erik Peterson, State Coordinator for Church Outreach, GRLC, saying that “we have come to this service to glorify God and pray that revival might come to America, for God is the creator, and as such he was the one who sets value for human life, not the courts.” This prompted immediate applause.

Following the greeting, various leaders form all churches in the Atlanta area participated in the service. The Right Reverend Monsignor John F. McDonough, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, gave benediction.

The recessional, led by Mr. Vince Collins concluded the memorial service with the singing of “Let There Be Peace On Earth.”

The silent 8 ½ block walk to the courthouse was a profound sight to onlookers who were stopped by the Atlanta police at all intersections, to allow the lengthy procession to go uninterrupted. Signs were held high that read: “God loves the unborn child; Your silence is your assent; Ban the bomb not the baby; and “What if you had been aborted?”

The marchers were greeted at the State Capitol with music from the Atlanta Christian Center. This was followed by State Senator Joe Burton, 5^th Senatorial District, Georgia, presenting a proclamation of “Respect for Life Day.” The proclamation was issued by Governor Joe Frank Harris and presented to Mrs. Mary Boyert, President of the Georgia Right to Life Committee.

This ecumenical outcry for rights of the unborn, will continue to grow until the demand for change is rewarded. This will only happen as each Christian takes a stand on behalf of the unborn, for the child has no choice. This was the significant message that was apparent to all participating in this march, and hoping that this vital issue will soon be the outcry of all.