Poor Weather Doesn’t Stop LifeChain From Telling America Abortion Kills Children
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 5, 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Rainy weather throughout much of the nation yesterday didn’t stop likely more than 200,000 Americans from gathering in cities and towns across the country to proclaim the message that "Abortion Kills Children" and "Abortion Hurts Women."
Groups large and small held pro-life signs and received responses ranging from honking horns to thumbs up, to profane gestures. Thousand of people participated in the Life Chains in Indianapolis while two people braved the cold in Estes Park, Colorado.
Dozens of pro-life advocates in Wichita, Kansas took to the streets to share the pro-life message in the LifeChain.
"We’re out here today to make a statement that we support life and also to encourage others to support life from womb to tomb," said Fr. Jerome Spexarth of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wichita.
The LifeChain saw pro-life advocates gather in places around the world as well — with 200 participating in one in Cape Town, South Africa.
“It is time that the lies of abortionists are exposed,” says international coordinator of the Christian Action Network, Taryn Hodgson. Her group has organized the event in South Africa since 1992.
"When a nation devalues its most helpless and innocent citizens and allows them to be slaughtered in their thousands, it is no wonder that all other life is treated as cheap," she said.
A group of 20 people, mostly from a local Catholic church, lined a street in Michigan City, Indiana.
"Jesus Forgives & Heals," read the sign held by Jennifer Hullinger because "Jesus can forgive even the sin of abortion."
Sheryll Werner, president of the La Porte County Right to Life chapter, brought her eight children to the LifeChain because, "I believe the dignity of life is in God’s hands."
Madeleine Veneklase joined the LifeChain near the campus of Michigan State University.
"I’m exercising my civil right for those unborn children, 5,000 a day who do not have civil rights in this country," she said.
In Montgomery, Alabama, Lloyd Probst held a sign, "Adoption: The Loving Option," as part of the event.
"We’d like to bring attention to the possibility of adoption," Probst said.
Mary Stojak, coordinator of the Montgomery Respect Life Committee, helped sponsor the event.
"It’s to bring awareness that innocent babies are dying," she said. "It’s a prayerful message — because we pray while we stand there. We usually get about 1,000 people out. We probably got more than that this year."
Vince Miller from St. Vincent De Paul Church in Florida, got dozens of pro-life advocates to join him.
"The silent protest says that we are not a violent group," he said. "We want to show us being in an active manner, respecting other people’s lifestyles, but choosing to be non-violent because that’s the way of the Lord."
"We want to do something," Miller said. "We just don’t want to sit and talk. We are showing that we are making some actions about it."
"We just really want to make a statement," said Wildwood resident Angela Corbin. "This in an important cause for us and we don’t want it to be forgotten. I think it’s important to be out here and make this statement and make it clear and hopefully people driving by will see this crowd and it will make them think."
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