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LETITIA JAMES
COUNCIL MEMBER, 35TH DISTRICT
March 29, 2011

Mayor Richard M. Daley

City Hall
121 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60602

Mayor Daley:

I am writing regarding the billboard that was recently placed in Chicago by pro-life
organization Life Always that reads, “Every 21 minutes, our next possible leader is
aborted.” The image of President Barack Obama, a former Illinois Senator, is placed next
to these words on a billboard on 5812 S. State Street.

You may be aware that Life Always, the pro-life organization launching these campaigns,
unveiled a similarly offensive billboard in February in New York City that read “The
most dangerous place for an African-American is the womb.” That particular billboard
featured the face of a young African American girl, whose parents had not given
permission for her photo to be used in this manner. These billboards are purposefully
sensationalizing, and part of a larger political campaign focused on abortion rates in the
black community, as well as an agenda these organizations believe is being carried-out by
Planned Parenthood. Information released by Life Always last month stated that, “During
Black History Month…our future is in jeopardy as a genocidal plot is carried out through
abortion.” The organization’s website at this time stated, “There is a battle being waged
in the United States that has taken more lives than any foreign war or act of terrorism.
The enemy is abortion.”

It is not now— nor has it ever been— my intention to attack the pro-life position, but
rhetoric that compares abortion to genocide or terrorism is unacceptable, and to utilize
Black History Month to question the reproductive choices of Black women is highly
offensive.

My reaction to this billboard and this campaign was quick and decisive—I reached out to
Life Always to request that they remove this offensive signage. I did not receive a
response. As my staff reviewed the organization’s website, I became aware that it guided
women seeking ‘pregnancy help’ to various Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs), which
happened to be the focus of legislation the New York City Council at the time. These
CPCs are notorious for being intentionally vague concerning their agenda to deter women
from seeking abortion services; and some have been accused of being deceptive about
abortion risks and procedures while intentionally targeting poor and working-class
women, immigrant women, and women of color to utilize their services.
Receiving no response from Life Always, I began a petition through Change.org targeting
both the organization and the billboard space’s owner. Within five hours of the petition’s
creation, the space’s owner received over 200 emails from signees asking that he remove
the billboard. At that time, I planned to join social justice advocate Reverend Al Sharpton
and Black faith leaders in a press conference to denounce the billboard’s message. But by
that evening— less than 48 hours since the public launch of the billboard— my office
received confirmation from advocacy organizations and the billboard space’s owner that
it would be removed that day.

Mayor Daley, I am fully aware that these billboards are being placed in African
American neighborhoods in major cities nationwide. In fact, I understand that no less
than 30 billboards are planned for the South Side of Chicago. Indeed, Life Always is well-
supported and well-funded within a larger national network. And yet within two days,
with the backing of many New York City elected officials and leaders as well as the
support of numerous women’s advocacy organizations and people throughout this City
(including the mother of the young girl whose photo was used)— a City Council Member
was able to remove that poster.

So I ask you, Mayor Daley, how will you respond? Will Chicago join New York City in
saying ‘no’ to Black women and children being misrepresented in political efforts to
attack reproductive rights? Will you stand against the misuse of the image of the
President of the United States to push this agenda? I certainly hope you will.

Sincerely,

Letitia James
New York City Council, 35th District