THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502150180
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Violence in the pro-life movement convinced Christine Ross of Chesapeake of the need for a new anti-abortion organization dedicated to influencing legislation in non-violent ways.
Ross held the first meeting of Choose Life at Rivercrest Community Center last month, just weeks after two abortion clinic staff members were killed in Massachusetts.
``I'm appalled that violence is being committed in the name of Christ and the movement,'' said Ross. ``Violence is not the way to solve our problems.''
Ross, a housekeeper and a long-time advocate of the pro-life movement, said violence against abortion clinics and personnel gives the public a wrong impression of anti-abortion activists and the movement.
``I believe most pro-lifers are non-violent,'' she said. ``I want to distance myself and my group from those in the movement who justify violence.''
Ross said she believes many Virginians would like to support the pro-life cause but are reluctant to voice their beliefs partly because of the public's negative perception of the movement.
``We need to educate and motivate each other,'' said Ross. ``I organized Choose Life so that pro-lifers can come together and address the issue rationally.''
Ken Robol, a member of Choose Life, said the new organization will work to present the pro-life movement in a positive light.
``People perceive that those who justify violence are important members of the pro-life movement. That's not necessarily so.''
Choose Life isn't the first pro-life group to stress non-violence, said Ross, but she hopes her group will take a more active role politically than other groups have in the past.
Ross said the parental notification issue is first on her agenda. ``I believe it's very important to protect parental rights.
Ross said she hopes to organize a pro-life convention in South Hampton Roads later this year. ``There are other peaceful pro-life groups out there and we need to pull together to educate the public.''
Ross said only a dozen or so people showed up for the first meeting but she is not discouraged. ``I think once we become better known, attendance will pick up.''
Eventually, Ross wants to elect officers and hold fundraisers such as clothing drives or community auctions to finance the organization's work.
KEYWORDS: PRO-LIFE ANTI-ABORTION NON-VIOLENT PROTEST by CNB