Our Watch Night Service will be one to remember for all time to come!  The word of 'diligence and fortitude' ignited our spirits to be effective agents for change. The Pro-life movement must be poised to ride the coming wave of transformation.  I believe God is about to bring about justice, along with the restoration of the foundations that made us a great people.

What better place to begin our social activism in 2008 than in the streets of Oakland and San Francisco, California!  An African American Minister, Rev. Walter Hoye, of the Progressive Baptist Church, made local history by holding the first Pro-life rally in downtown Oakland.  Dr. Alveda King and I were the featured speakers, but the real story, was how the officials of Oakland dis-invited her to speak at their rally after finding out about her Pro-life stance.  Well, as you can well imagine, that didn't stop Dr. King!  A contingent of predominately African American Pro-lifers went over to the city rally and asked the salient question: "Since it is Dr. Alveda King's uncle you are recognizing today, wouldn't it be nice for her to just be able to say hello…?" Well, after a few moments the chagrined city officials explained the program was already complete and there was no room for Alveda.  Our demeanor all along was clearly sending a silent message of insistence.  We continued to ask why, since it wouldn't take that long to say hello.  The committee, after awhile, decided to allow her to give the benediction.  The audience was wonderful despite the cold reception of city officials.  We proceeded to our rally and then marched through the African American community of Oakland ending up in the sanctuary of the Progressive Baptist church, where we were met by about 150 people.  There were seven local Pastors there, two of them pastors of the largest African American congregations in Oakland!  I lead off, Dr. Alveda King finished up and the people were encouraged to do more.  

The next day, 25,000 people attended the Walk for Life, San Francisco, my favorite event.  This is the day Pro-lifers truly exhibit their love of country, love of people - for and against abortion - love of the pre-born and their willingness to confront the masses.  Eva Mutean and Dolores Meehan represent the "true grit" of the Pro-life movement and the reason why we will win this struggle.  Once again, Dr. Alveda King addressed the thousands present, along with, Gianna Gensen, an abortion survivor and as the young folks say: "she is off the hook!"

Jesse Romero, Catholic Lay Evangelist, is a dynamic speaker and local radio activist.  Jesse and I both preached from the same source without any previous collaboration.  Our source was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's April 16^th, 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" written in response to the April 12^th, 1963 "Statement by Alabama Clergymen."  Jesse Romero spoke of Saint Talamachus, whose martyrdom ended the barbaric gladiator fights in Rome.  I spoke of the courageous members of the early church who rescued children put along the side of the road to 'die legally' in Rome.  Dr. Martin Luther King mentions both incidents in his letter.  I pray we also mirror history.  In the following years after Dr. King's letter was written, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 declaring the end to segregation and ensuring voting rights for all citizens.

The next day, I had the privilege to address the congregation at Progressive Baptist Church in Oakland, California where the Senior Pastor is Rev. Dr. Earl Stuckey.  Dr. Stuckey is a great Bible teacher and author.  His zeal for foundational truth is the reason his people embrace the message of life.  Martin Luther King visited there three times in his ministry and pictures were hung along the walls of the church commemorating Dr. King's historic visits.

On the last Saturday in January we had our community Men's Service. It is gatherings like these where we are able to present our Mission Statement and secure volunteers for future projects.  We will continue to establish a strong volunteer base nationally.  Churches that are joining with us in the Pro-life work will also reach out to prospective persons to assist in our work geographically.

We closed out January by speaking at Mt. Carmel Holiness church in Long Island, New York.  Pastor Carolyn Frasier has opened the doors to our ministry repeatedly. Their youth and congregation is a blessing to their community and our fellowship is rewarding.

The February CBR conference (Center for Bioethical Reform) in Mission Viejo, California was insightful and edifying.  This is when we can come together with the sole purpose of implementing effective strategy and where we can gain information which will further our endeavors.  Greg Cunningham has long been one of the best of America's Pro-life heroes, which means:  CBR is America's Team.  I still take the position that it is the most effective group, pound for pound, on the globe.  Look for a 'culture-changing' initiative to spring forth soon!  More about that in the weeks to come.

For the past 10 years, LEARN Northeast, has co-labored with CBR on their GAP (Genocide Awareness Projects) events.  On February 17^th, I boarded a plane for Florida with four teenage trainees, Jonathan Alford, Tristan Wilkins, Taneesha Dixon and Sasha Dalger.  These young people did an outstanding job and will inspire other youth to go forth in similar fashion.  We were heading to Florida State University and the University of Florida in Gainesville and returned that Saturday.  LEARN's next team, Terry Stewart, Richie Henry and Jamaal Key, a veteran crew of Pro-life advocates, went out the following Sunday.  They defended life on the campus of University of Central Florida in Tampa and the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Terry Stewart, who had traveled to Florida previously in 1999, said it was the best GAP he had ever been to. "Lives were changed and babies were saved! It doesn't get any better than that," said Stewart joyfully!  They returned home February 29^th.

Our partnership with CBR is the most rewarding and effective part of our ministry.  We saw and dialogued with hundreds of youth but thousands saw the pictures and went to our informative websites, which have proven to be effective in touching hearts and changing minds.

God Bless You All,

Rev. Clenard H. Childress Jr. 
National Director

You may give over our website www. BlackGenocide.org or mail to:

L.E.A.R.N.
PO Box 157
Montclair, NJ 07042

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