Tens of thousands of peaceful pro-life supporters are expected to march down San Francisco’s Market Street on Saturday, January 21, in the West Coast’s largest pro-life demonstration — the 8th Annual Walk for Life West Coast.
“We are expecting around 50,000 pro-life friends joining us as we celebrate life and proclaim our message that “Women deserve better than abortion!” We are excited to see our friends—those who have been dedicated for many years and those who are hearing our message for the first time,” organizers said. “This is a Walk for everyone. We thank all of you who are working so hard to get your groups to the Walk — bus leaders, church groups, youth and adult groups, high school and college groups, and club coordinators. It is because of you that we continue to grow.”
The rally and walk will take place Saturday, January 21 starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza. This year, in a powerful new location and route, the Walk will begin in front of City Hall with a pro-life info fair at 11 a.m. followed by a rally at 12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. the Walk will begin, proceeding down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza.
“We are delighted to be able to walk through the heart of the city with our pro-life, pro-woman, pro-family — pro-people message,” said Walk organizer Eva Muntean.
Rally speakers include Rev. Clenard Childress, African American pro-life activist Lori Hoye, former abortionist Dr. Vansen Wong, and Silent No More representative Jacquie Stalnaker.
“I believe abortion has erased the value of human life,” said Dr. Wong, who is now a pro-life obstetrician-gynecologist. “We have created language, philosophy, and institutions that legitimize ending the lives of unborn babies without reflection on what we are doing.”
“The Walk for Life is the greatest pro-life event there is” said Lori Hoye. “I am blessed to be a part of it, and to share that no matter how bad you think it is, no matter how much you are hurting, God will find a way.”
“This is a chance to testify in the public square on the behalf of those whose voices are silenced before birth,” said the Rev. Childress, an African-American pastor, activist and author who spoke at the very first Walk for Life in 2005. “Abortion has victimized women and decimated the African American communities. All other travesties pale in comparison.”
The invocation will be given by Father Aris Metrakos, of San Francisco’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, who said, “Abortion-on-demand has shredded the moral fabric of our society.”
Founded in 2005 by a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents, the Walk for Life West Coast’s mission is to change the perceptions of a society that thinks abortion is an answer. Walk participants are expected from throughout the Bay Area and the western United States.
