NEWS PROVIDED BY
Christian Defense Coalition/Operation Rescue
Jan. 19, 2026
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, pro-life organization’s commitment to non-violence shows the way forward for peaceful protest and demonstrations.
65,000 people were arrested at Operation Rescue’s events to save innocent children from the violence of abortion, with not one conviction of a violent act at any of our “Rescues.”
This makes Operation Rescue (OR) the most peaceful social protest movement in American history.
This was made possible as each person involved with Operation Rescue had to sign a “Pledge Of Non-Violence” to participate.
Here are some of the elements of Operation Rescue’s Pledge Of Non-Violence:
“I commit to be peaceful and non-violent in both word and deed.”
“Should I be arrested, I will not struggle with police in any way (whether deed or tongue), but remain polite and passively limp, remembering that mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Current and former Operation Rescue leaders encourage protesters and demonstrators in Minneapolis, and across the nation, to follow in Dr. King’s and OR’s footsteps of non-violence and peaceful civil disobedience, while resisting hatred and violence.
Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue, states:
“Operation Rescue did not come bearing weapons or violence, but repentance and prayer. We were Christians who believed that obedience to Jesus demanded peaceful resistance, personal sacrifice, and a public witness grounded in truth and love. Our pledge of nonviolence was not strategic—it was Biblical.”
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition and former National Spokesperson for Operation Rescue, comments:
“Today we celebrate the works and words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he said; ‘Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.’
“65,000 Operation Rescue participants embraced those words in their commitment to end abortion violence against innocent children. That is what made Operation Rescue the most peaceful protest movement in American history.
“On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we encourage protestors in Minneapolis, and across the nation, to follow the legacy of Dr. King and make the same commitment of Operation Rescue to only engage in non-violent public witness and protest for social change.”
Below are the key elements of Operation Rescue’s Pledge of Non-violence:
1) As an invited guest, I will cooperate with the spirit and goals of Operation Rescue, as explained in this pamphlet.
2) I commit to be peaceful and non-violent in both word and deed.
3) Should I be arrested, I will not struggle with police in any way (whether deed or tongue), but remain polite and passively limp, remembering that mercy triumphs over judgment.
4) I will listen and follow the instructions of the Operation Rescue crowd control marshals.
5) I understand that certain individuals will be appointed to speak to the media, the police, and the women seeking abortion, I will not take it upon myself to yell out to anyone, but will continue singing and praying with the main group, as directed.
I SIGN THIS PLEDGE, HAVING SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED WHAT I DO, WITH THE DETERMINATION AND WILL TO PERSEVERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
For more information or interviews please contact Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741
SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition/Operation Rescue
CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741