News & Analysis

Alliance Defense Fund President to Highlight Sunday’s Right to Life Rally

By Dennis Durband, Editor
Jan. 13, 2008

Set your VCRs on record for Sunday’s pro football playoff games. Go to Wesley Bolin Plaza to attend the annual Right to Life rally – themed “Living the Dream: Right to Life for All” -- held in conjunction with the 35^th anniversary of the disastrous Roe v. Wade decision. You can march into the plaza (adjacent to the state capital) at 1 p.m., or you can show up in time for the program at 1:30 p.m. This year’s headline speakers include Alan Sears, president and CEO of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF); Cong. John Shadegg; and Brooke Burns.

Since its inception in 1994, Sears has led the strategy, training, funding and subsequent litigation efforts of the ministry that has resulted in ADF's critical role in 33 victories at the U.S. Supreme Court and wins in nearly 75 percent of its cases litigated to conclusion. Under his leadership, ADF has funded more than 2,000 grants and legal projects for allied lawyers and organizations and ADF attorneys have successfully defended marriage as the union between one man and one woman in over 30 cases nationwide.

Sears has provided strategic leadership in the training of more than 1,000 allied lawyers through the ADF one of a kind National Litigation Academy (NLA). The NLA is designed to equip attorneys to more effectively defend religious freedom, the sanctity of life, marriage and the family. Since 1997, these attorneys have reported more than $70 million in pro-bono/dedicated time. Sears’ visionary efforts have also resulted in the graduation of more than 600 outstanding law students, representing more than 120 universities, from the ADF Blackstone Legal Fellowship program. This in-depth summer leadership program helps equip these students to assume leadership positions to shape the future of American law.

Furthermore, Sears has helped fashion the language for numerous state and federal laws and has testified before committees of the U.S. House and Senate, state legislatures, and many local governments and commissions. Legislators in twenty states adopted his legislative recommendations. He has also spoken before committees of the British Parliament and at the Vatican. He has trained hundreds of law enforcement officials from Australia to Scotland Yard, and has lectured internationally on religious freedom. As a result of his impressive record, the American Bar Association's magazine, Barrister, recognized him as one of the outstanding young lawyers in America.

In 1986, Sears served as the general counsel for the Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography.  He worked in the Department of Justice, under Attorneys General William French Smith and Edwin Meese III as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Criminal Section, and was appointed as the Director of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography. He has co-authored several books, including: “The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today” (2003) and “The ACLU vs. America” (2005) -- both with Craig Osten.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, with a Juris Doctor from Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, Sears has completed post-graduate/continuing education at Harvard Law School, Stanford University and Pepperdine University. He is a member in good standing with the American, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, and Kentucky Bar Associations.

In addition to the march and program, member organizations of the Arizona Life Coalition will have exhibit tables at the rally site. Be sure to pick up your copy of “Guide to Family Issues: Abortion,” written by myself, at the United Families Arizona table.

NOTES: As a demonstration of unity and solidarity, attendees will have the option of marching around the capitol to Wesley Bolin Park. Participants can bring signs and banners that share the message of stopping abortion and choosing life. Church groups can display their banners while singing and praying along the route. Melanie Pritchard, of Arizona Right to Life, said: “By marching, we will provide a very visible demonstration of support for the pro-life mission.” … Participants are being asked to show support for mothers and babies in need by bringing disposable diapers, formula and/or baby wipes to the 2008 Rally for Life. You can also bring supplies to any of the approved drop-off locations. … Protestant church pastors and attendees are especially urged to attend and turn out in greater numbers than in the past, to join with Catholics in a show of unity and support for the unborn. … This year’s national March for Life in Washington, D.C., begins Tuesday, Jan. 22 at noon on the mall on the west side of the U.S. capitol. This year’s theme is: “Build Unity on the Life Principles throughout America.
No Exception! No Compromise!"

The complete schedule of events appears below.

2008 Arizona March for Life
Jan. 20

Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix

Schedule of Events

12:30-1 p.m. -- Meet at Park/Music- Ike Ndolo

Begin March at 1 p.m.

1:30-1:35 p.m. --Welcome from Mistress of Ceremony Cathi Herrod

Release Balloons

1:35-1:40 p.m. -- Bishop Thomas Olmsted opening prayer

1:40-1:45 p.m. – Pledge of Allegiance; National Anthem-Joyce Bailey

1:50-2 p.m. – Opening remarks

2-2:10 p.m. - Keynote Speaker-Alan Sears, President, Alliance Defense Fund, Scottsdale

2:10-2:20 p.m. -- Keynote Speaker- Brooke Burns

2:20-2:25 p.m. – Organizations honored

2:25-2:35 p.m. – Entertainment: A-Tomik 12  

2:35-2:45 p.m. – Keynote Speaker -- Congressman John Shadegg

2:45-2:50 p.m. -- Closing Prayer

2:50-2:55 p.m. -- Closing comments/announcements

Tucson Activities on Jan. 19

A three-mile walk from St. Augustine Chapel (192 S. Stone) to Rachel’s monument at the Holy Hope Cemetery is planned in Tucson Saturday, starting at 9 .m. For additional information, contact Sunny.