Getting to youth critical for the pro-life movement of tomorrow, director says
The Catholic Register
(CCN)
A pro-life message aimed at publicizing the fact there are 280 abortions in the country each day has hit many social media platforms.
On April 28 LifeCanada began posting hundreds of messages on popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter with the hashtags #280today and #abortion: "Did you know? In Canada, #280today won't be born, grow, work, play, and love because of #abortion. Let's save #280today!"
"We want people to know that 280 children will be aborted today, and every day, in Canada. See our promo video," said a LifeCanada email.
"On April 28 at 2 p.m., our #280today message will appear on the newsfeeds of almost 170,000 people - so far!" the April 26 email said.
"The benefit of social media is ... you are not controlled, you are free to share the message and you don't have to rely on someone to publish it," said Anastasia Bowles, the campaign's director. "It is a fairly easy campaign to join, it is just a click of your mouse, so it is a way of reaching as many people as possible."
Joining the campaign required registering via Life Canada's web site (lifecanada.org).
Bowles estimated that for every person who joined the campaign, another 100 would see the message, and the number would grow exponentially as people shared the original messages.
"LifeCanada's #280 social media campaign represents the new and innovative face of the right-to-life movement," wrote Natalie Sonnen, LifeCanada's executive director, in a news release. "Our campaign uses technology and creativity to engage youth and to reach people in unprecedented numbers."
The campaign was part of a joint effort with the Diocese of Hamilton, which held its annual Culture of Life Conference April 21, attracting almost 300 students. LifeCanada was one of the presenters that day.
Getting to the youth of today is critical for the pro-life movement of tomorrow, said Bowles.
"They are the future of Canada. They need to be educated on the issues, and they need to know what the facts are," she said. "Most Canadians aren't aware of all the facts about abortions in Canada."
She pointed out that an Angus Reid poll showed up to 80 per cent are unaware that because there are no laws, "abortions are fully legal right up until birth."
"Let's rock social media with the message that #280today do not deserve to die!"