Media campaign targets key elected officials in OH, PA, NH, TN, NC, ME, AR, & MA
Contact: Alexei Laushkin, Senior Director Communications, Evangelical Environmental Network, 202-352-9920
KIRKLIN, Ind., Dec. 14, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Evangelical Environmental Network announced the launch of multi-state TV spot campaign arguing that EPA mercury regulations are a pro-life issue. The TV spots will be targeting Senators in eight key states who are either pro-life or sensitive to pro-life concerns.
In the TV ads, Rev. Tracey Bianchi, an evangelical mom and pastor, describes the dangerous effects of mercury poisoning on the unborn, including permanent brain damage. "I believe every life is a precious gift from God. I expect members of Congress to protect the unborn," says Rev. Bianchi, "and Coal-burning power plants in our region have helped raise mercury levels in our waters, threatening the unborn with permanent brain damage.”
Specifically, the ads are lifting up Senators Casey (D-PA), Collins (R-ME), Snowe (R-ME), Pryor (D-AR), Boozman (R-AR), Hagan (D-NC), Alexander (R-TN), and Ayotte (R-NH). The ads are also running regularly in the Washington DC market on cable stations urging President Obama and all the Senate to protect our children.
"One in six babies born in the U.S. have harmful levels of mercury in their blood. Pro-life members of Congress should be doing everything they can to protect the unborn from this threat. Medical research shows that unborn children's mercury levels are twice the levels of their mothers. There is no known safe level of mercury for our unborn. Why would Congress or the American people not wish to have EPA protect our unborn children from mercury?" says the Rev. Mitch Hescox, President of the Evangelical Environmental Network.
The TV spots follow up on radio ads that ran on Christian, Country and News/ Talk stations across OH, PA, NH, ME, MI, AR, and MA. There are also billboards up in key districts in OH, AR and PA, which feature an image of an unborn child saying that support for the EPA regulations is support for the unborn. Over a million people have already responded to emails currently being sent to evangelicals and Catholics in the targeted states.
Also, a letter signed by pro-life evangelical leaders and another by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was hand delivered to members of the Congressional Pro-Life Committee. These letters follow on a previously issued statement, An Evangelical Call to Stop the Mercury Poisoning of the Unborn, signed by over 120 evangelical pastors and leaders. You can view their statement and resources at mercuryandtheunborn.org.
Once emitted, mercury falls from the air into local water sources, becomes part of the food chain, is consumed by pregnant mothers when they eat contaminated fish, and can have devastating impacts on their unborn children.
For more information: creationcare.org/mercury.
