The day got off to a fantastic start with the UNITED rally in downtown Chicago, across from a large Family Planning Associates abortion facility.

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The sunshine warmed up the cool autumn air as a crowd of local prayer volunteers celebrated the recent closure of another Chicago-area abortion center, where 40 Days for Life was previously held. Numerous speakers encouraged attendees to keep praying and working ... to see even more abortion centers shut down.

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We've seen abortion supporters resort to some pretty silly tactics in response to the UNITED tour, but it was particularly amusing to see a bald, bearded man in Milwaukee carrying a sign reading "keep your rosaries off my ovaries" and trying to interrupt our speakers.

More than 70 campaign participants heard from 40 Days for Life board member Tibor Baksy and Pro-Life Wisconsin state director Dan Miller, who saw hundreds of lives saved from abortion during his tenure as the 40 Days for Life leader in Milwaukee.

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It was an exciting homecoming in Madison, Wisconsin ... in front of the Planned Parenthood center where I used to lead the 40 Days for Life campaign.

At 6'7", Dan Miller is the tallest speaker we've had on the tour. Dan was followed by the smallest ?- my 9-year-old son Peter, who talked about the importance of holding vigil -- even when it's hard. A long-time friend of 40 Days for Life, Bishop Robert Morlino, closed the evening with powerful remarks on civic engagement.

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We?re now heading to Minnesota and North Dakota!

Steven Karlen, Campaign Director

Prior to joining the headquarters team, Steve directed several highly-successful 40 Days for Life campaigns in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. As campaign director, Steve helps local 40 Days for Life leaders build and improve life-saving efforts in their communities.