It’s time we valued every single Canadian life – My Take

High School student and singer relates her thoughts on Canada’s National March for Life

By Kathleen Dunn

June 10, 2009—On May 14, a record 12,300 Canadians braved the rain, wind and cold to gather on Parliament Hill for the National March for Life. I was one of those determined, excited, passionate people who wish to send a message to our leaders: We will not stand by quietly as 300 innocent Canadian lives are terminated by abortion every single day.

Forty years ago, Pierre Trudeau signed the omnibus bill legalizing abortion in our country. Since then, approximately 3,000,000 Canadians have never made it past their mother’s womb. Why would our government stand aside and let these lives be taken? The answer is simple: fear of the truth. And that is why I stood strong with thousands of young people, families, parents, students, teachers and committed leaders.

Ten years ago, when I was eight years old, I remember going into the hospital to see an ultrasound for the first time. My tiny sister was right there, swimming around in my mother’s womb. No one could ever tell me that this was just a blob of tissue. This was all the proof I needed to realize that life begins at conception. My decision to protect and promote life at all stages has since become my life’s passion. I have to use my own voice to help those silenced by abortion.

Second to my passion for life is music. This year I was asked to help lead the crowd in song on Parliament Hill. I couldn’t have been more in my element. There I was, standing with a microphone in front of a massive crowd — mostly youth. I stood alongside 11 bishops and 18 Members of Parliament to remember the lives lost since that horrific day 40 years ago.

The atmosphere of enthusiasm and hope was overwhelming. If any generation is going to bring back the value of human life to the country, it will be mine.

Our demonstration and march around Ottawa, complete with profound banners and signs, cheers and mourns, ended with a gathering of women and men who suffered the effects of abortion years ago. The group is called Silent No More.

Listening to these testimonies was the most empowering and emotional part of the day. Women and men told us of the depression, hardship, guilt, and pain they continue to endure because of the decision they made long ago. They agreed they were terribly misinformed. They stand as an example that their decision was not the real answer to their problems. Hearing first-hand examples of the tragedies because of abortion truly put into perspective why all of us came to the march.

I have a dream that someday society will come to know the real truth. That every life is a gift from God and that no situation is desperate enough to kill. It is my belief that we will look back on this generation with shame for killing so many innocents, especially while thousands of hopeful couples are waiting to experience the joys of adoption and parenthood.

I challenge our youth, as Canadian citizens, to stand up and speak out for the lives of the unborn. Yet we must do so using the tools of prayer, education and non-violence. I challenge you to look upon these little ones with compassion, as their innocent lives are unvalued. I challenge you to realize that women deserve better than abortion.

Just as the rains poured down on May 14, another storm is brewing: a passionate storm that says no to abortion and rightly chooses life — a storm already raging in the hearts of my generation.

Kathleen Dunn lives with her family in Hamilton. This article first appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on June 6, 2009.

Credits:
Cited from an original article by Kathleen Dunn for lifesitenews.com dated 05/10/09