Organizational Background and Activities

While not officially a Roman Catholic organization, ALL’s philosophy and approach is explicitly based on some of the conservative interpretation of Church teachings. Their commitments to the most extreme elements of this philosophy set them apart from many of their peers, who are often unwilling to publicly admit their affinity to more controversial positions like their opposition to contraception.

In their own words: “ALL is opposed to all abortion, contraception and other threats to the human person and the family. This total protection approach separates us from many of the other major groups. ALL will not support abortion-related legislation that contains exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother, fetal deformity, or other such condition.”

Other ideological positions of note include vehement opposition to sex education, in vitro fertilization, and stem cell research.

The organization dedicates itself to presenting what they call “…the truth about the abortifacient nature of certain forms of so-called contraception and point out that the dangerous practice of birth control is a gateway to abortion.” Methods under attack by ALL include the pill, IUD, Depo-Provera, and emergency contraception. Furthermore, the organization proudly claims to be the only national pro-life group to oppose condom advertisements on TV.

Additionally, ALL fights against providing sexuality education to youth. They support “…only educational programs built on absolute standards of right and wrong, that teach sexual morality in the context of leading children toward the practice of virtue and that avoid examining the subject of sex in any concrete, detailed or descriptive way in the classroom or other public setting.”

The organization officially “takes no position on the death penalty,” contradicting their rhetoric about protecting human life in all cases.

ALL advances their anti-family planning mission through political advocacy, grassroots work, youth outreach, and media. A signature event of ALL is their national t-shirt day. Annually, the organization encourages supporters—including school-aged children—to wear a t-shirt with an anti-abortion message. The organization also publishes Celebrate Life Magazine and is responsible for the provocative “Deadly Dozen” ads (viewable under the “Campaigns” section in this link).

ALL has moved its work beyond the borders of the United States: led by board member Robert Sassone, ALL has been granted NGO status by the United Nations. They claim to have helped establish the ultra-conservative European organization, World Youth Alliance. (WYA report from Catholics for a Free Choice)

Associated organizations of ALL include Rock for Life, STOPP, Crusade for the Defense of Our Catholic Church, and a network of local and regional anti-family planning organizations.

Rock for Life is an organization that encourages youth to take an in-your-face approach to anti-family planning protesting. Claiming that “young people are being deceived and manipulated by the music industry,” the organization pursues their mission through the Christian music industry, largely targeting punk rock and hardcore bands and venues. They include the March of Dimes, SIECUS, and the UNFPA on their list of what they call the “dark side.”

STOPP, which is a rough acronym for “Stop Planned Parenthood,” is an organization dedicated entirely to dismantling Planned Parenthood family planning programs and reproductive health centers across the country. It claims to be an “organization of parents,” and is led by Jim Sedlak, who also spends time as an author for various Human Life International publications.

For a much more thorough look at ALL and their work, check out Catholics for a Free Choice's Opposition Notes piece, "American Life League: More interested in making a statement than making a difference."