ATTLEBORO - Anti-abortionists in the Attleboro area will be taking part in a national campaign to end abortion called "40 Days for Life."

The campaign, which begins Sept. 24, focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigils at abortion facilities and community outreach. More than 170 communities in the United States and Canada are planning to participate. This will be the first campaign in Attleboro.

"As people here in Attleboro join with others from across the country to pray and fast and take courageous action for 40 days to end the tragic violence of abortion, we look forward to seeing what kind of transformation God will bring about in our city and throughout America," said Stephen Marcotte, spokesman for the Attleboro 40 Days for Life campaign.

The 40-day time frame of the campaign comes from biblical references where God used 40-day periods to transform individuals and communities, according to the campaign's Web site, 40daysforlife.com. The campaign will have a kickoff rally the day before the 40 days, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the church at Our Lady of LaSalette Shrine on Park Street (Route 118).

Many churches in the area, including LaSalette, St. Joseph's Church, Holy Ghost Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Seekonk and the Diocese of Fall River are supporting the campaign in some way. Ron Larose, director of Our Lady of Mount Carmel's anti-abortion group, is one of the local organizers. The most visible component of the campaign is a peaceful prayer vigil outside abortion facilities. The local vigil will take place outside Four Women Inc., an Attleboro abortion clinic, starting on Sept. 24.

"What attracted me to this campaign is its approach - it is peaceful and non-threatening in its efforts to reach out to women and offer them hope in this difficult decision through crisis pregnancy centers," said Marcotte.

As part of their efforts at the vigils, campaign supporters try to speak to women and provide information on alternative pregnancy centers, such as A Women's Concern, which has eight offices throughout New England.

"We're not just asking women to choose life; we're offering them support throughout their pregnancy," Marcotte said.

The campaign has reportedly been successful in affecting abortion rates in some cities. Abortion facilities in New City, New York, Dallas, Texas and Lincoln, Neb., where 40 Days for Life vigils have been conducted, have recently closed, says Marcotte.

The 40 Days for Life campaign runs through Nov. 2, two days before the presidential election.

For more information about the Attleboro campaign, visit 40daysforlife.com/attleboro or contact Stephen Marcotte at stephenmarcotte@yahoo.com.