Planned Parenthood to Honor Former Pro-Life Politician with 'Lifetime Achievement' Award

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Pro-Life Action League Calls on Senator Dick Durbin to Once Again Defend Unborn Babies from Abortion

Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

CHICAGO, Jan. 20, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- As the nation marks the 41st anniversary of legal abortion, the nation's largest abortion chain is holding an annual fundraising gala in Chicago this Thursday evening. The Pro-Life Action League is calling for the event's "Lifetime Achievement" honoree, Senator Dick Durbin, to return to his pro-life roots.

Durbin, Illinois' senior U.S. Senator, used to be an outspoken anti-abortion advocate, one who promoted himself as the "pro-life candidate," and wrote, "My record of opposition to abortion on demand has been public record…I oppose abortion on demand." Planned Parenthood has selected Durbin to be the money-raising draw for this year's event, even though he has previously pledged support for a constitutional amendment that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

WHAT: Protest of Planned Parenthood gala and call for Senator Dick Durbin to return to his former pro-life position

WHEN: Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 5 p.m. (Central)

WHERE: The Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St, Chicago, click for map

WHO: Pro-Life Action League and concerned citizens

WHY: "The same day Senator Durbin gets a lifetime achievement award from Planned Parenthood, hundreds of unborn babies will being denied life itself in Planned Parenthood's abortion clinics," stated Eric Scheidler, Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League. "Durbin used to speak out against this injustice, but turned his back on these children for political gain. We're calling on him Senator Durbin to return to his pro-life roots."

MORE INFORMATION: Visit prolifeaction.org/hotline/2014/durbinprotest

Senator Dick Durbin's record of pro-life support includes:

• Serving as Master of Ceremonies at the Respect for Life Observance, sponsored by the Springfield Right to Life Committee at the Illinois state capitol

• Pitching himself as the pro-life candidate and pledging support for a constitutional amendment that would overturn Roe v. Wade

• Stating in writing that, "the right to abortion is not guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution"

• Pledging support for "legislation which would protection unborn children from abortion except in those cases necessary to prevent the death of the mother"

• Writing that, "I continue to believe the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade should be reversed"

• Telling NBC News' Meet the Press, "I'm opposed to abortion"

"Senator Durbin used to be an articulate defender of unborn children's right to life," explained Scheidler. "But now he's one of their worst enemies in Congress, even voting against the federal partial birth abortion ban, which is supported by the vast majority of Illinoisans. But it's not too late for Durbin to renounce Planned Parenthood's abortion extremism and once again uphold the value of every human life."

About the Pro-Life Action League

The Pro-Life Action League was founded by Joe Scheidler in 1980 with the aim of saving babies from abortion through direct action. Not content to await a political or judicial solution to abortion, the League seeks to stop the killing of unborn children right now through all available peaceful means, including public protest, sidewalk counseling, education, youth outreach, and national leadership.