MEDIA ADVISORY: In historic Selma, Alabama, Rally at Christ the King Cathedral and March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge planned for June 19 and 20, 2015

“We stand here in Selma to note once again that when laws that protect health and safety are not enforced, African Americans bear too heavy a burden,” said Dr. Yoest. “Life-saving health and safety standards must be enforced.”

WASHINGTON, D.C./ATLANTA, GA (06-19-15) – Americans United for Life President & CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest joined a diverse coalition of African American and pro-life organizations for a special event — TheSelmaProject.com — announcing a new partnership on behalf of women, especially women of color, who have been victimized by a lawless abortion industry. “It’s not enough to pass commonsense laws that protect women’s health and safety,” said Dr. Yoest. “Laws must be enforced so that all will be safe.”

At a series of events, Dr. Yoest will highlight the importance of AUL’s mother-child strategy in developing model legislation that protects women from abortion industry abuses. AUL’s Women’s Protection Project is part of the more that 50 pieces of model legislation in Defending Life, including an enforcement module for when the legal system breaks down.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Two events are included in TheSelmaProject.com. A Rally at 7 p.m. on June 19 at the Christ the King Cathedral, 1204 Highland Ave., Selma, Alabama. Marchers will convene at 8:15 a.m. on the Selma side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge and march toward Montgomery, ending at the nearby park where a news conference will immediately take place.

“Convicted murderer and abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell could have been stopped if only Pennsylvania officials had enforced the pro-life laws on the books,” said Dr. Yoest. “To be clear – the first, legal line of defense for women in abortion clinics when it comes to the law must be state and local officials properly and consistently enforcing a state’s abortion-related laws.

“But if they refuse to act, AUL has created an Enforcement Module as a tool to empower individuals and organizations to enforce the laws when officials do not defend women and girls from the criminal acts of abortionists. This is the missing link in our legal defense against abortion industry abuses.

“Abortion harms women, and African-American women suffer more than others because of the tragic number of abortions in their community. Black women account for 37% of abortions and are 5 times more likely than white women to have an abortion. We stand here in Selma to note once again that when laws that protect health and safety are not enforced, African Americans bear too heavy a burden. Life-saving health and safety standards must be enforced to protect women from the negligence of abortionists. Americans United for Life is proud to work alongside other members of The Selma Project to educate people about how to get involved in protecting the innocent.” To read Dr. Yoest’s full statement, go to www.aul.org.