Historic gathering outside Colorado State Capitol to Honor Courageous Mothers
Denver, CO — (January 12, 2022) — The Celebrate Life Rally and March on Saturday will honor pro-life efforts in Colorado to help pregnant women in need — in sharp contrast to a reported legislative effort to expand abortion access in state law.
“Taking the innocent lives of our children for convenience is not, and never has been, a building block of a decent society,” said Lynn Grandon, program director of Respect Life Denver, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Denver, which organizes the Celebrate Life Rally and March. “We will continue to stand for and promote a Culture of Life where innocent lives are valued and protected.”
The U.S. Supreme Court could rule on a case this year that could give more leeway to states to regulate abortion. Lawmakers in states, including Colorado, are responding. “We are going to codify the right to an abortion and stop any and all efforts to limit abortion access in our state,” according to state Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, the House Majority Leader, quoted in The Colorado Sun.
Grandon, who is available for media interviews in advance of Jan. 15 and during the rally and march, said the Celebrate Life events will highlight pro-life momentum in Colorado.
“In the 2020 effort to end late-term abortions here, we learned that many Coloradans were not even aware of this happening in our state, and were troubled by that fact,” said Grandon. “The response was the largest pro-life turnout in Colorado, nearly 1.3 million votes for Proposition 115 to end late-term abortion. That effort failed at the ballot, but we know this is a marathon, not a sprint. Just like slavery and other affronts to human life and dignity, it takes time to turn a culture back to what is right and good.”
The Celebrate Life Rally and March begins 1 p.m. Saturday on the west side of the Colorado State Capitol in downtown Denver. Then the crowd will gather to march at 2 p.m. around Civic Center Park with “Life” signs depicting the Colorado flag image.
Prior to the rally, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of the Archdiocese of Denver will celebrate Mass at 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St. in Denver. Local radio host and pro-life advocate Dan Caplis will emcee the 1 p.m. rally at 200 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. He will be followed by keynote speakers Bishop Jorge Rodríguez, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver, and by Donald Sweeting, president of Colorado Christian University in Lakewood.
Families, children, seniors and church groups are all invited to sing along with music performed by Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary choir before marching with ethnic dancers and music. Find all the details, including transportation options, parking information and a weather forecast at RespectLifeDenver.org.
Media Contacts:
Lynn Grandon, director of Respect Life Denver
lgrandon@ccdenver.org
About Respect Life Denver
The Respect Life Denver office champions Church teachings regarding the sanctity of all human life. We collaborate with parishes, schools, faith-based organizations and other educational institutions. Respect Life Denver organizes the annual Celebrate Life Rally and March as well as hosting other life-affirming activities, including 40 Days for Life, Prayer in the Square and community forums. Respect Life Radio, a production of Respect Life Denver, airs weekly on 1120 AM radio and via podcast. For more, go to RespectLifeDenver.org.
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