Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon was insightful and humorous in his keynote address at the 28th Annual Rose Dinner on Friday, April 17, in Morgantown. Seth built an excellent case for the fact that freedom of speech is foundational to the ability to publicly defend (and some cases, exercise) every other right guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution – including the right to life. As a part of the introduction, the audience observed Dillon masterfully doing exactly that on a clip from Joe Rogan’s show.

Dillon is acutely aware of the pressure exerted by those who wish to obscure truth and censor evidence. He encouraged attendees with a poignant illustration of the reality that a lone voice for truth can have a significant impact. Citing the Asch Conformity Study, Dillon related how, when everyone in a group gave an obviously incorrect answer to a question, approximately 75% of those studied would adopt and repeat the incorrect answer at least once. Most of these individuals indicated afterwards that they knew the answer was incorrect, but were seeking to avoid ridicule or standing out. However, conformity to a wrong answer dropped all the way to 5-10% if only one other person in the group gave the correct answer.

West Virginians for Life President Lacey Evans recounted the numerous successes of WVFL over the decades, with a special emphasis on the “big three:” a 2018 constitutional amendment proclaiming that there is no right to abortion in West Virginia; the 2022 Unborn Child Protection Act, which effectively ended nearly all abortions in the state, with rare exceptions; and, the 2024 constitutional amendment which protects against medically assisted death. Many sitting legislators, along with several 2026 pro-life candidates, were recognized – some of whom had helped to pass those very laws.

Evans then laid out current threats: West Virginia women are being lured into out-of-state abortions, where they are explicitly denied recourse in the event of malpractice. Also, abortion pills with very serious risks are illegally entering the state. To counter the danger, WVFL launched an educational campaign entitled “Don’t Swallow the Lie.” Evans highlighted DontSwallowTheLie.com – an excellent website with life-saving information. The hope was to raise enough funds at the event so that billboards advertising the site could be purchased around the state. Significant progress was made towards that goal: The event raised approximately $75,000.

Going forward, the audience was given practical, boots-on-ground examples of how to be the voice for truth that Dillon exhorted them to be. They were encouraged to visit DontSwallowTheLie.com, and to share it. Those who wanted their own mini-billboard were encouraged to take free lawn signs as they left, and to purchase additional ones at the site’s store. Attendees were reminded that, thanks to LifeVote.net, it is free and easy to learn what candidates in your district are endorsed by WVFL in the upcoming election.

West Virginians for Life wishes to thank Kyle Wiggs for a spectacular job of MCing the event, and Dale Sparks, of All-Pro Photography & Framing, for excellent service. Much appreciation is also extended to Bishop Mark Brennan from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and Pastor Wayde Wilson from Trinity Assembly of God in Fairmont, who respectively offered the Invocation and Benediction