Life Issues in the News

Obama Makes Schiavo's Lawyer Third-Ranking Justice Official

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Barack Obama has named the lawyer who represented Terri Schiavo’s husband Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife as the third highest attorney in the Justice Department. Thomas Perrelli, who won an award for representing Schiavo's former husband, had served on Obama's transition team. The incoming president made Perrelli an associate attorney general and his appointment is generating scorn from pro-life advocates. Perrelli provided Michael Schiavo with legal advice during his response to the Congressional bill that President Bush signed allowing the Schindler family to take their lawsuit seeking to prevent Terri’s euthanasia death from state to federal courts. He led the legal team that developed the legal briefs for Michael opposing appeals and he ultimately received the Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Pro Bono Award in October 2006 for representing Terri’s former husband at no cost. Andrea Lafferty, executive director of the Traditional Values Coalition, told the Washington Times Tuesday that Obama's appointment of Perrelli is "just another death-peddler Obama has added to his list of nominees." Full story at LifeNews.com.

2nd Black Pro-Life Leader Urges Obama to Oppose Abortion

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A second black pro-life leader has issued comments urging incoming president Barack Obama to reverse course on abortion and oppose instead of promoting it. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is leading a group of African Americans with a pro-life message for Obama. Her comments come on the heels of Day Gardner asking Obama to oppose abortion as president. King and a group of community leaders are gathering in Atlanta today to discuss an agenda to be presented to Obama regarding his first 100 days in office. They say they appreciate that Obama is the first black president to serve in the White House and say that is a milestone for America. However, they believe that achievement will be undone if Obama promotes abortion as he has said he would do. "African Americans, like many Americans, are pro-life," King told LifeNews.com. "As we see the dawn of a new year and a great milestone being passed, people across the country should let our new president know that we want babies in the womb protected," she added. Full story at LifeNews.com.