Pro-lifers Walk for Modern Civil Rights Movement
Thousands of pro-woman, pro-life activists will take their message to the San Francisco streets Saturday to proclaim that abortion is not a liberating choice but that "Abortion Hurts Women."
As the 35th anniversary for Roe v. Wade approaches, around 25,000 people are expected to join the 4th Annual Walk for Life West Coast rally on Saturday.
"Last year we had about 20,000 and we've grown each year," Karen Hodel, spokeswoman for the rally, told The Christian Post Friday.
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With the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. also ahead in the coming days, the event will carry a slightly unique message from other pro-life rallies.
Featured speakers include Dr. Alveda King, niece to the renowned civil rights leader, and Dr. Clenard Childress, a Baptist minister and founder of Black Genocide.
"If the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is to live, our babies must live. Our mothers must choose life," Alveda King, a mother who lost two children to abortion, said in a released statement.
"This is the civil rights movement," said Hodel of Alveda King's message. "Without the right to life, there are no civil rights."
Childress' talk will reference the fact that the majority of targeted people for abortion belong to the African American community, added Hodel.
The event kick offs with a rally at 11 a.m. at the lawn area of Justin Herman Plaza, at the foot of Washington Street and The Embarcadero. The Walk begins at noon and proceeds along the waterfront, ending at Marina Green.
Fans of the movie Bella will also get a treat. Latin film star Eduardo Verástegui who plays the main character in the film will speak at the rally.
Hodel commended the film for its message that there is no need for abortion given that there are so many resources to help women emotionally or financially. She also gave kudos for its highlight on adoption.
"That film spoke to our culture in a hip way," commented Hodel.
"That's so great because that's the tone we want for our walk. Our tone is not 'baby killers' but we want to reach out to women and let them know: There is help for you. There is help and there is hope. That's our message."
On Jan. 22 – the anniversary of the landmark court decision allowing women to choose abortion – pro-lifers will also gather in Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life rally.
While the east cost rally raises an awareness on a political standpoint, noted Hodel, Saturday's rally aims to reach out to women who have been affected by abortion.
Already the rally has reached out to at least one woman.
Hodel said a woman who just had abortion on Friday called the group that day in tears to ask to participate in the event.
Following the rally, organizers will hold an Information Fair on the Marina Green providing resources for unplanned pregnancies and abortion recovery.
"Women deserve better than abortion," said Hodel.
