Activists target embryonic stem cell research
About 200 activists gathered yesterday inside Faneuil Hall for their annual assembly to condemn abortion, applauding politicians who pledged to fight embryonic stem cell research in Massachusetts.
The members of Massachusetts Citizens for Life were coming off a lonely year, many having unsuccessfully fought gay marriage and endured a presidential election in John Kerry's home state. But yesterday they cheered President Bush's reelection and applauded calls by local politicians to fight abortion and stem cell research at the forefront of the agenda this year on Beacon Hill.
The group gathered as part of the ''Assembly for Life," an annual interfaith event that marked the 32d anniversary this month of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. The event gathered people from a variety of religious backgrounds, from Roman Catholic Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley to Clenard H. Childress, a Baptist pastor from New Jersey.
O'Malley pledged to help women who are seeking an alternative to abortion, and he urged the crowd to be peaceful and compassionate when protesting at abortion clinics. But he also urged the group to fight laws that go against their faith.
''What kind of world do we want to live in and pass on to future generations?" O'Malley asked. ''What should be obvious to us is that business as usual will not do and we need to begin with 'Thou Shall Not Kill.' "
Earlier this month, Senate President Robert E. Travaglini called for ''immediate passage" of a comprehensive stem cell research bill, saying that many fear the Bay State is lagging behind California and New Jersey in biotechnology and in attracting jobs.
Stem cells come from a variety of sources, including embryos, but also from adult tissue and umbilical cords. Researchers are interested in embryonic stem cells because they appear to be more versatile. Stem cells are being researched for their use in treating disease or damaged tissue, such as severed spinal cords.
State Representative Philip Travis, a Rehoboth Democrat, told the gathering that he supports biotechnology, but he pledged to fight spending public money that could be linked to abortion. ''I will not vote for embryonic stem cell research," Travis said. ''We have to demonstrate in our lives and in our actions what life is about and what right and wrong is about."
Travis sat next to state Representative Paul J. Donato, a Medford Democrat who later said he also opposed embryonic stem cell research.
Raymond L. Flynn, the former mayor of Boston who went on to serve as President Clinton's ambassador to the Vatican, now heads Catholic Citizenship, a lay group that mobilizes voters. Flynn told the assembly that being a good American and a Catholic are more important than the Democratic Party's future. He urged them to push their lawmakers to reflect their views. ''Ask the candidates, 'Will you vote pro-life?' If they say no, say, 'Well, you don't have my vote'," Flynn said.
During the presidential election, Flynn chastised Kerry, a former ally, for defending abortion rights.
Yesterday after his speech, he said that he had voted for Bush.
''It's about values," Flynn said.
