To: National Desk, Political Reporter
Contact: John Jansen or Ann Scheidler, both of the Pro-Life Action League, 773-777-2900, info@prolifeaction.org
Chicago, Oct. 29—The Pro-Life Action League will protest an awards ceremony to be held Sat., Oct. 30 by Loyola University School of Law at which pro-abortion Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will receive the school’s prestigious St. Robert Bellarmine Award.
As a state legislator from 1999-2003, Madigan compiled a solid pro-abortion record, including a vote against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. She was elected Illinois Attorney General in 2002 with the backing of Planned Parenthood, NOW and other pro-abortion groups. During the campaign she vowed to shut down “phony” crisis pregnancy centers.
For months, pro-life and Catholic leaders across the country, including Chicago Archbishop Francis Cardinal George, have pleaded in vain with Loyola not to confer the award on Madigan. The award defies the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops July 7, 2004 statement against Catholic institutions honoring pro-abortion politicians.
The Pro-Life Action League, along with Loyola students and graduates and concerned Catholics from throughout Chicagoland will protest the awards ceremony Sat., Oct. 30 at the Westin Chicago River North, 320 N. Dearborn St. in downtown Chicago from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. League staffer and Loyola grad John Jansen will lead the protest.
“This protest will send a clear message to Catholic colleges and universities that pro-life Catholics will take a vocal, public stand against them when they honor pro-abortion public figures,” said League National Director Joe Scheidler. “Our graphic signs of aborted babies will show exactly what Lisa Madigan has vowed to defend and Loyola University has chosen to ignore.”
The Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League has been a national leader in fighting abortion through non-violent direct action since being founded by Scheidler in 1980.
