ANTI-BULLYING ACTIVIST LIZZIE VELASQUEZ TO KEYNOTE ONELIFE LA
January 10, 2019  |  By:   |  Archbishop Gomez, Press Releases  |  

Speakers and performers to address tens of thousands at Los Angeles Historic Park about celebrating the beauty and dignity of every human life on January 19

Inspiring speakers will join Archbishop José H. Gomez at the fifth annual OneLife LA, on January 19, 2019, at Los Angeles Historic Park in downtown Los Angeles, for a large-scale event uniting people of all backgrounds throughout Southern California to celebrate the beauty and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.

“OneLife LA brings people together to celebrate the beauty and sanctity of human life and to build friendships and partnerships to promote human dignity in our community,” said Archbishop Gomez. “OneLife LA is more than an event. It is movement and a vision. OneLife celebrates the beauty of human life and calls all of us to work together to serve the poor and the vulnerable in our community.”

OneLife seeks to promote a culture of life, where every human life is dignified, especially the most vulnerable and underserved. The 2019 event will begin at noon with a walk led by Archbishop Gomez from the birthplace of the city at Olvera Street to the new Los Angeles State Historic Park. It will include a roster of international and national voices sharing their personal and life-affirming stories.

Keynote speaker Lizzie Velasquez, is an American motivational speaker, author, anti-bullying activist, born with a rare disorder that prevents her from gaining weight. Lizzie grew up looking considerably different from the other children. She was bullied due to her appearance, and the fact that she is vision-impaired only added to the challenges she faced. Despite having a difficult childhood and adolescence due to the constant bullying, she emerged to be an emotionally strong woman thanks to the unconditional support of her family. She eventually became a motivational speaker and an outspoken anti-bullying activist. 

Other speakers and performers include:

  • Jamie Grace – Contemporary Christian artist who earned a top-five album with her debut effort, One Song at a Time. She is a two-time Grammy nominated singer song-writer. Her song “Hold Me” was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2012, the same year she won the Dove Award for a new artist.
  • Abby Johnson – Former Planned Parenthood director who became a prominent anti-abortion activist after resigning in 2009. She later became the head of the organization, And Then There Were None, which ministers to abortion workers. Her 2011 biographical book, Unplanned, is set to be released as a feature film this spring.
  • Gloria Purvis – Teacher for natural family planning and dedicated to promoting the sanctity of human life, marriage, and the dignity of human persons. She hosts the morning drive time talk show on EWTN, Morning Glory. 
  • Damon Owens – Founder and Executive Director of joytob (Joy-To-B), Damon promotes a culture of marriage and respect through his talks on marriage, sexual integrity, Theology of the Body, Theology of the Family, adoption, and NFP.
  • Rick Smith – Founder of Hope Story, an organization based on his own family’s experience, that provides inspiration and encouragement to parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
  • Mario Alberto Perez – Singer/songwriter who uses his talents to fulfill God’s call in his life: evangelization through music.
  • Connor Flanagan – An artist with a new take on music, branded as “where worship meets hip-hop.” He provides an authentic stage presence and unique musical experience.
  • Dr. José Villela Vizcaya – A Mexican doctor who, as a student, faced a car accident that changed his life forever. Despite losing mobility and sensitivity in much of his body, he graduated as a psychiatrist, became a renowned public speaker, and is currently a Paralympic swimmer, ranked in the top 10 within his category.
  • Ryan O’Hara – Content Director for Saint Paul’s Outreach, a national Catholic organization that ministers to college students on campus and a foster adoptive father of three sons.
  • Beatriz Sandoval – Formerly one of Los Angeles’ myriad economically homeless mothers who uses her experience to now work as a community leader across LA county in the fight against homelessness and poverty.
  • Nancy Sanchez – A three-time award-winning Jazz vocalist and natural singer songwriter. She combines pop and traditional Mexican musical elements to create a unique style.

 

Additional appearances by: Mexican actress and promotional speaker Karyme Lozano, and educator Melissa Zavala, plus performances by Colleen Clapp, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles high schools marching bands, Conjunto Nacional Salsa Band, and Transfiguration Church’s Gospel Choir.

“The last five years have taught us that the community wants OneLife LA,” said Kathleen Domingo, senior director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace, which spearheads the event. “Archbishop Gomez had a vision for an event that launched a movement! OneLife LA recognizes the human dignity of every person, born and preborn, and invites people to create a culture of life in every situation.  It is the antidote to our divided nation and to the great need in our community.”

For more information on 2019 OneLife LA speakers and more details, visit https://onelifela.org/event-details/. OneLife LA was first celebrated on January 17, 2015. OneLife LA 2018 drew nearly 35,000 to downtown Los Angeles in celebration of the beauty and dignity of every human life. For more on 2018 highlights visit https://onelifela.org/about/

Visit www.onelifela.org for more information. For OneLife LA updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/1lifela/, https://www.instagram.com/1lifela/, https://twitter.com/1lifela?lang=en,

https://www.youtube.com/user/1lifela, and follow #OneLifeLA.

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