Sedalia Community to Gather in Observance of 44th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade, the historic case in 1973 that legalized abortion in all 50 states, is arguably one of the most controversial and divisive cases in U.S. Supreme Court history. The public is invited to attend a memorial observance of the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade from Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at the Pettis County Courthouse in Sedalia.

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade has become a pivotal date, bringing together hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates across the country in solidarity to influence and encourage a society that values the life of the unborn and ends abortion. Since the court ruling in 1973, an estimated 58+ million babies have been aborted.

“We’ve hosted a memorial service in Sedalia for more than 40 years to reaffirm our commitment to defend the life of the unborn and to see that these lives regain protection by the law, “ says Bonnie Diefendorf, chairman, Sedalia Chapter of Missouri Right to Life. “It’s encouraging to see the number of attendees grow throughout the years. Legalized abortion is not the legacy we want to leave the next generation.

"Youth attending the memorial realize that just because abortion is accepted by law doesn’t mean that it is right. We all must take responsibility to change our society from a culture of death to one that respects and values life from conception to natural death.”

“Protection of life has to be a number one priority, “ said Diefendorf. “This dark anniversary reminds us of the lives lost, but the decline in abortions across our nation and the 45 pro-life laws passed in Missouri since 1973 are evidence that Americans are realizing the devastating consequences of abortion in our society and are uniting together to protect and defend the sanctity of life.”

Local pastors, community leaders, Boy Scouts, students from St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Sacred Heart School will lead the program. Kaley Graves, Field Director for Missouri Right to Life will address the gathering. Also speaking will be Chris Wickern, deacon with the Pettis County Catholic Community.

While local citizens will be recommitting themselves at the courthouse, over 40 students and adults from the Sedalia area will be participating in the annual national March for Life in our nation’s capitol on Janaury 27. The bus will depart Sedalia on January 25. While in DC, the marchers will attend a vigil mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday.

Friday will begin with a rally at the Verizon Center. Following the march that will begin at the Washington Monument and end at the U.S. Supreme Court building, participants will meet with congressional leaders from Missouri. The bus will return on Saturday, January 28.

The March for Life which began in 1974 is the largest pro-life rally in the world. The 2016 march drew over 500,000 people from across the nation.