In a pointed but veiled reference to Barack Obama, Childress said, “But isn’t it strange that Martin Luther King would mention infanticide in 1963, that the church stood up against infanticide, infant killing?…Isn’t it strange to you, civil rights worker, that there would be a candidate that basically endorsed infanticide? In reading Martin’s letter, he called it evil. How can anyone call it good? How can a baby that survives an abortion be left on the table to die and you say it should be a law that it’s good that the child die? Would somebody explain that to me please?!! And that’s why I don’t want to hear about your health plan! I want to know what the deal is here!” he exclaimed to loud and extended applause from the audience.
Childress emphasized the importance of 40 days or 40 years in Salvation History and expressed his belief that 40 years after the assassination of Dr. King, there would be a shift in American history that would bring about the end of abortion. “He encouraged the attendees to remain faithful because “your faithfulness and your willingness [quoting King] to not be “merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion [but a] a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.”
The pro-life movement in South Bend has seen significant growth with the recent kickoff of the 40 Days for Life campaign. Nearly 5,000 local people are involved in the 40 day-long effort of prayer, peaceful protest and fasting for the end of abortion.