In cities and towns across the nation, millions of motorists in the United States — and in countries such as Canada and South Africa as well — saw a pro-life message about how abortion kills children and hurts women.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates lined the streets of more than 1,500 communities across America on Sunday, braving cold winds or heat and humidity to tell their neighbors an important message. The annual LifeChain is an opportunity to let people know the sad effect of abortion.
Demonstrators pray and stand silently as cars passed through the busy intersections. Some honk and wave in support of the pro-life message while others give participants rude gestures.
In Buffalo, prolife advocates formed a life chain 19 miles long.
Kim Grande did not hesitate when she was asked what compelled her to stand out in the rain Sunday afternoon and take part in a “Life Chain” of people protesting abortions.
“To me, the right to life is the most important issue facing America today,” said Grande, 49, a mother of seven from Wheatfield. “If we don’t value the lives of babies and old people, and people with disabilities, I think everything else goes down the tubes.”
Grande, a member of St. Amelia’s Catholic Church in the Town of Tonawanda, spent an hour at the intersection of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Glenalby Road in the town. She was accompanied by her husband Paul, their sons and daughters – ranging in age from 8 to 17 – and about 70 other members of her parish.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, about 2,250 people joined the demonstration, carrying signs including “Save The Babies,” “Abortion Kills A Child” and “Adoption, Not Abortion.” The people lining Niagara Falls Boulevard stretched from Main Street in Buffalo to a location on Packard Road, 19 miles away in Niagara Falls.
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The aim of the annual event is to form “a quiet, prayerful life chain,” rather than engaging in loud and angry protests, said Cheryl Calire, director of pro-life activities for the diocese.
“I was thrilled to see so many people engaging in a prayerful, peaceful way, standing up for life,” Calire said. “This is a non-confrontational event. We just try to get people to think about this very important issue for a few minutes.”
Another 1,200 people attended the LifeChain in Omaha, Nebraska:
Organizer Patrick Eberly estimated that 1,200 people attended, representing more than 60 churches and organizations.
John Miller and his wife, Karen, members of the Our Lady of Lourdes parish, have participated in the “life chain” since the late 1980s. He said the event is a way to bring the issue of abortion to the public’s attention in a peaceful and prayerful manner.
Demonstrators in Omaha saw a mostly positive response from motorists. Drivers honked, waved and gave thumbs-up signs. Most of the participants stood in groups formed by members of their churches, schools and other organizations, fanning out from 72nd and Dodge Streets.
Mark Capoun joined the chain with his wife and two children, who attend Skutt Catholic High School. He enjoyed seeing the support and involvement of youth in the event.
“Respecting life from conception to death should be the most important thing,” Capoun said.
