On February 11th of 2015, if you drove past the Central Alabama Women’s Clinic in Selma, Alabama, around 11 AM, you would have seen a small group of people gathered on the corner near the building. A couple of news cameras would have been pointed at a man in clerics and a tall, black woman in a gray sweater dress.
The man was Fr. Terry Gensemer of CEC For Life, the tall, black woman, Catherine Davis of the National Black Pro-Life Coalition. That day was our first press conference exposing Dr. Samuel Lett’s illegal abortion operation — something we had been monitoring for close to a year by then, consistently contacting state authorities to take action. The authorities, including the Governor and the Alabama Department of Public Health, largely ignored our requests so, that morning, we took our concerns and evidence to the public. It was the best decision we ever made.
Once the public knew Dr. Lett was running a back-alley abortion mill in the community, things started moving fast. Our press conference received national attention, so much so that when a World Net Daily reporter called Dr. Lett’s office to confirm the facts, a panicked receptionist yelled “We don’t do abortions!” into the phone and hung up. Lett knew he was caught.
In the months that followed, many pro-life groups and leaders joined our campaign to shut down Lett. What started with just three organizations — CEC For Life, Life Legal Defense Foundation, and Operation Rescue — grew to include dozens of pro-life groups, local and national, and all putting pressure on the authorities to act.
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Catherine Davis and the National Black Pro-Life Coalition organized a historic march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and a phenomenal prayer rally with Alveda King (niece of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.), Star Parker, Dean Nelson, Will & Dehavilland Ford, and Charmaine Yoest.
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Created Equal brought their campaign Killers Among Us to the mailboxes of Selma citizens.
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CEC For Life continued meeting with state officials as God uncovered more and more about the things Dr. Lett has kept secret for so many years.
Again and again, the unity exhibited by these organizations, coupled with the favor of a Lord who honors those who fear Him, pushed back against the evil in Selma until, just days before Christmas, we confirmed the news for which we’d all been praying — Dr. Lett ceased performing abortions in Selma.
Two years of gathering evidence, repeatedly contacting state and hospital officials, growing public awareness, and praying for righteousness to prevail resulted in the beginning of the end for Dr. Lett’s illegal abortion activity.
We say the beginning of the end because this fight is not over. As Fr. Terry recently commented, “Though we are thankful that Dr. Lett has ceased abortions in Selma, we are still in communication with state officials regarding the many ethical and legal violations for which Lett must still be held accountable.”
Allison Aranda of LLDF added, “Quietly ceasing to perform abortions does not dismiss Lett’s illegal conduct, nor should it.”
CEC For Life is thankful for everyone who has participated in this campaign — from prayer warriors like Natalie Brumfield, creative geniuses like Ryan Bomberger, and experienced strategists like Troy Newman and Cheryl Sullenger.
Lives are being saved right now, today, in Selma because of the dedication and sacrifice of many pro-lifers. Fr. Terry Gensemer first initiated this campaign with the prayerful request that God would uncover those things which were hidden. Through His people, God has done that and infinitely more.
“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” — Matthew 10:26