Boston, MA, February 27, 2009—Thousands have joined a grassroots campaign to change Obama abortion policy by sending red envelopes to the White House. The effort has gained momentum by promoting Red Envelope Day on March 31, 2009. More than a quarter of a million envelopes have been sent and over 150,000 have joined groups on Facebook committed to Red Envelope Day.
The effort began in late January when Christ (rhymes with ‘wrist’) Otto sent an email to his 120 ministry supporters. In the email he suggested sending red envelopes symbolizing a child who died in abortion. He also suggested forwarding the email to friends who might be sympathetic to the idea. The email closed with “wouldn’t it be great if we could send 50 million envelopes for every child who was aborted since 1973. Maybe we can change the heart of the president.” Otto says that the idea came during his daily prayer time, when he saw a mental image of millions of red envelopes going to Washington.
Within two weeks the email went “viral,” as men and women created web pages, Youtube videos, and blog entries promoting the idea. At least six independent web pages were created. Three of these have combined their efforts in the Red Envelope Project website [http://www.redenvelopeproject.org]. By far, the largest single effort was started Brian Potter of Houston, TX. His idea to coordinate efforts in a national Red Envelope Day has largely grown on Facebook. [http://www.RedEnvelopeDay.com] Otto has since joined Potter’s effort to encourage the March 31, 2009 event.
The original instructions were to send an empty red envelope, address the front to the White House, and on the back write the following message:
“This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.
It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.”
It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.”
The message has been adapted and altered as it spreads online, but the core symbol of the red envelope has remained consistent.
Otto has stressed that this was not intended as a political stunt, but rather an effort to join our prayers for the ending of abortion with a powerful symbolic act. Participants are encouraged to pray the following prayer: “Jesus, I plead your blood over my sin and the sin of my nation. God end abortion and send revival to America.”
Response has been overwhelming, says Otto. The first groups to distribute envelopes were Roman Catholic parishes in Southern California, followed by Right to Life chapters in the Midwest. Several organizations are now pre-printing red envelopes and post-cards by the thousands. Hundreds of churches, religion classes, Bible studies, and small groups have taken this on as a group project. Letters have been sent from Canada, Europe, Latin America, and as far away as Australia. A Spanish translation of the email has also begun circulating in the Latino community.
Contact: Christ Otto, Coordinator Red Envelope Project/Day, www.RedEnvelopeDay.com, www.redenvelopeproject.org,www.belonginghouse.org/wordpress
1 comment:
Cool, It's nice to live in a country where we can speak up. It's even nicer to have a God who hears our pleas so I will do both.
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