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KELOWNA, BC, September 6, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – For the forth year in a row the mayor of Kelowna, British Columbia, Sharon Shepherd, has issued a proclamation recognizing Protect Human Life Week, at the request of the Kelowna Right to Life Society.

“It is the intention of this proclamation to promote respect and protection to all human life, especially the infirm, the aged, the handicapped and the unborn,” the Protect Human Life Week proclamation states.

“The purpose of Protect Human Life Week is to raise awareness and stimulate discussion in our community around the life issues,” Marlon Bartram, the Executive Director of the Kelowna Right to Life Society, told LifeSiteNews.

“In Canada, the issues of abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, IVF are ‘okay’ with a significant portion – probably a majority – of society. We are here to offer an alternate voice, one that says human life has dignity and value from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death and these acts constitute a violation of that dignity.”

This year Protect Human Life Week runs from September 24 to October 2.

The week’s events begin with the Walk for Life fundraiser on Saturday, September 24 at Mission Creek Regional Park from 1:00 to 3:00 pm., and culminate with the Life Chain on Sunday October 2, in conjunction with Life Chains in communities across North America held annually on the first Sunday in October.

Bartram pointed out that the Life Chain, held at the corner of Harvey and Gordon, consistently draws up to 200 participants.

An educational seminar titled “Pro Life 101” will be held on Thursday, September 29, while the 4th annual “Okanagan Pro Life Film Festival” will take place on September 30 and October 1.

Mr. Bartram will be presenting the “Pro Life 101” workshop, and informed LifeSiteNews that the scheduled films for the Film Festival will include “The Human Experience,” “The Procedure” and “Expelled – No Intelligence Allowed” on September 30.

October 1 is children’s/teen’s movie night with “Up” and “Sarah’s Choice.”

Kelowna Right to Life is urging supporters of Protect Human Life Week to thank Mayor Shepherd personally for proclaiming the pro-life week.

“Aside from year one when she received a considerable amount of backlash from those who believe killing unborn babies is a good thing, she has largely escaped criticism of her show of tolerance toward the pro life community in the Central Okanagan. Supporters are encouraged to drop Mayor a Shepherd a quick note thanking her for respecting our mission,” the pro-life group said.

Mayor Sharon Shepherd can be reached at [email protected].

Visit the Kelowna Right to Life website here for more details on the Protect Human Life Week events, or call (250) 862-8202.