Americans Take Pro-Life Message on Abortion to the Streets in Life Chain
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 6, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Tens of thousands of Americans took the streets in over 1,300 cities across the United States and Canada on Sunday afternoon as part of the annual Life Chain. The event features a silent pro-life witness as participants stand with signs condemning abortion and promoting adoption as a solution.
Hundreds of western New York residents formed a Life Chain that extended from an abortion center in Buffalo all the way to Niagara Falls.
Dr. Alveda King joined the event and told participants to pray to end abortion because it hurts more than just unborn children.
"We are here not just as an act of conscience, but also to cry out to God, that He’ll hear, and bring this place, and many places like it, down. Because abortion kills babies, and abortion hurts women, it destroys families," she said.
In Colorado Springs, Colorado, JoAnn Trujillo, a Respect Life coordinator for St. Mary’s Catholic Church, helped pass out signs.
Some of them read "I’m Glad You Were Born," others said "I’m Glad You Were Born," and others pointed out how abortion hurts women.
Charlie Damore brought her three children to the event.
"I want people to know there is support for women who feel there is no other option," she said. "I was 16 years old when I had my first child as a single mom. It was a tough situation, but I didn’t ever consider an abortion."
Bishop Michael Sheridan of the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs attended the event, and prayed silently with the pro-life people there.
In Wilmington, North Carolina, hundreds of people lined up on the streets with signs and they received the typical mixed reaction — with some motorists giving a thumbs up and some using another finger to display their anger.
“The majority are supportive. There are a lot of silent people. Occasional folks that don’t believe what we do – they’ll put there thumbs down and frown, that kind of thing," participant David Heinrichs said.
Jacque Trude coordinated the Life Chain in Helena, Montana, that saw 40 people turn out in the cool temperatures to make a stand for life.
"All we do is stand in silent protest. We are not here to condemn anybody. We’re here to love everyone and we just want people to know we want babies to be born and to have a life," she said.
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