Ellington

40 Days for Life, a national pro-life campaign, is focusing its efforts on the only abortion provider in Mississippi, the National Women's Health Organization in Fondren. Described as "a unique approach to ending abortion," the campaign will hold a prayer vigil outside the clinic from Sept. 24 through Nov. 2.

"Our goal is to have a continual presence," Terri Herring, director of the Jackson campaign, said.

The campaign requires participants to sign a "Statement of Peace," promising to follow the law and refrain from shouting. Two hundred people have signed up to participate so far, Herring said, although most will be participating in the prayer vigil from elsewhere. Herring said that she understands why people might hesitate to join their effort at the Fondren clinic.

"This is outside of my comfort zone as well," said Herring, who has lobbied for abortion legislation with the state Legislature.

"This is the issue of our day, as civil rights might have been in another day," she added.