DOVER — Nearly 100 people braved a damp chill to stand up for life at a pro-life march and rally on March 27 in Dover. The event, sponsored by Delaware Right to Life, began on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood and ended inside Legislative Hall about a mile away.
Father Brennan Ferris, associate pastor at Holy Cross Parish in Dover, delivered the opening prayer while members of the group held signs and passing vehicles honked in support. One of those prayers was for the closing of an abortion facility.
“We pray for the least among us, the children,” Father Ferris said. He asked those in attendance to pray for the babies who would die at Planned Parenthood that day and for “when this place of death will be transformed into a haven for life.”
The group then walked to the green in front of Legislative Hall, where they heard from two speakers. The first was Nandi Randolph, the policy analyst for the Delaware Family Policy Council. She said since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago, more than 20 states have implemented “robust” protections for the unborn. She noted that there is legislation in Delaware that would require insurance plans delivered or issued for Medicaid to cover services related to the termination of pregnancy. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 110 does offer an exemption for religious employers except when the life of the mother is at risk. It has been in the Appropriations Committee since last June.
Other bills that Randolph suggested the group discuss with legislators were House Bill 140 and House Substitute 1 for House Bill 162. The first would legalize assisted suicide in Delaware, while the second would allow for the “natural organic reduction” of human remains instead of a traditional burial or cremation. That bill has been passed by both houses of the legislature and will become law if signed by Gov. Carney within 10 business days of being from the Senate to his office. The Senate passed the bill, 14-7, along party lines on March 21, but whether it has been delivered to the governor is not certain.
HB 140 was voted out of committee last May and is on the House “ready list,” meaning it could be brought up for a vote at any time. It also would have to go through the Senate before the current General Assembly session ends in June and then be signed by Carney, or the process would have to start all over again.
Danielle Pimentel, policy counsel at Americans United for Life, testified against HB 140 last year, and she returned to Dover for the rally. She called the phrase “assisted suicide” a “clever euphemism” for a lethal overdose to end a life.
“This is obviously something we can’t stand for,” she said.
“Society should offer compassionate health care” to end-of-life patients, she continued.
To argue against assisted suicide with legislators, Pimentel offered a few suggestions that have been successful elsewhere. First, share personal stories, she told the group.
“I cannot emphasize enough the power of your stories,” she said
She also told the rally-goers to educate their lawmakers. Many disabilities rights groups oppose assisted suicide, she said, because it is ableist and ageist. Often, those suffering from serious or terminal illnesses are depressed, which can affect their ability to give informed consent, which is a requirement of assisted suicide.
In addition, there is an epidemic of hopelessness and despair among Americans, and encouraging someone to choose death is not an effective way to combat that. The solution, she said, is hope.
“We can provide that hope to them,” Pimentel said. “Your voice matters.”
A few of those who attended were hopeful during the march that they would be able to open some eyes among state lawmakers.
“I have nine grandchildren, and I want them to grow up in a culture of life, not death,” said Lynn May, one of the organizers. “And they’re all Delawareans. For future generations, I just want to see that they have an opportunity to know that they’ll be supported in life choices.”
May, formerly a member of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Newark who now attends St. Jude in North East, Md., said she hoped that the sidewalk prayer and march sent a message to people who passed by.
“It’s a great opportunity to really stand for life. I’m just here to help mothers and give them a chance to think of alternatives that allow them to support their children,” she said.
Cindy Scheinholtz of Frankford said the culture in Delaware is getting “worse and worse, and we feel like we’ve really got to give our voice, as much as we can unite against this evil, abortion.”
She said her hope is that more mothers and fathers will allow their children to be born so that they have “a chance at life.”
Gloria Huber is a parishioner at St. Ann Parish in Bethany Beach. She would like to see Planned Parenthood close and also “to change the hearts of the legislators in Leg Hall. We’re trying to get them to soften their hearts and see that life is really from God. We need to cherish it.”
Inside Legislative Hall, people milled about waiting for a chance to speak to their senators and representatives. Aides took messages, along with carnations the group brought into the building. Lawmakers’ schedules include committee meetings on Wednesdays, but a few, including Rep. Kim Williams, a Democrat from the Stanton area, and Sen. Sarah McBride, a Democrat whose district stretches along the Delaware River from Claymont into the city of Wilmington.
Moira Sheridan, the president of Delaware Right to Life, noted the uphill battle faced by pro-life advocates in the First State.
“We have to be praying for these people (legislators) extremely hard because they’re so lost,” Sheridan said. “In Delaware, it’s very difficult because of the preponderance of anti-life legislation, anti-life agenda, anti-life attitude.”
Photos by Mike Lang.
