WASHINGTON, D.C. – All pro-lifers are urged to join  the Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland chapters of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign this evening, Thursday, Jan. 26, outside the ballroom where NARAL will host its annual celebration of abortion.

Supporters of life will gather at 5:30 p.m. outside the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW, according to Nancy Tanner, Northern Virginia regional coordinator for Silent No More. They will remain in place until 7 p.m. and then will leave to have dinner and fellowship at a nearby restaurant. The Silent No More women and men and their supporters will return to the Hilton by 8:30 p.m. and will remain there until the NARAL event has concluded.

“It’s been pretty effective every year that we do this,” said Ms. Tanner. This is the seventh consecutive year she has organized the peaceful presence.

“We feel it’s important to have a presence when they’re celebrating, to show that there’s another side to this,” she said. “Many of us are hurt by abortion and regret that decision.”

Ms. Tanner will have signs on hand that say “I Regret My Abortion” or “I Regret My Lost Fatherhood,” as well as some that say “Women Do Regret Abortion” and “Men Regret Lost Fatherhood.”

At Monday’s March for Life, more than 50 women and men from the Silent No More Awareness Campaign shared their abortion testimonies in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. As they lined the streets with their signs awaiting their turn to speak, many were approached by marchers who thanked them for their courage, or whispered to them of their own regret.

“The pro-aborts in this country, like NARAL, say abortion is a good choice for women, but the women who have actually made that choice know better,” said Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life and Pastoral Director  of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign.

“One woman from Mississippi who shared her testimony said she wished she wasn’t standing on a cold, rainy street in Washington holding her sign. She wished she was home, with the 13-year-old she aborted,” Father Pavone said. “All the men and women of Silent No More feel that way.”

To contact Ms. Tanner, send an email to northernvirginia@silentnomoreawareness.org 

Since the launch  of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign in 2003, 4,845 women and men have shared their testimonies publicly at over 865 gatherings in 48 states and 10  countries where more than 110,830 attendees have heard the truth about abortion’s negative aftereffects.  More than 10,100 people representing 57 countries are registered to be Silent No More.  Raising awareness about the hurtful aftermath of abortion and the help that is available to cope with the pain are two of  the Campaign’s goals.  The Campaign has over 1,300 testimonies posted here, with over 120 that are shared via video! 

The Silent No More Awareness Campaign is a joint project of Anglicans for Life and Priests for Life.  For more information, please visit our website:  www.SilentNoMoreAwareness.org