LOCAL

Walk for Life in San Francisco

Pro-lifers take message into the heart of San Francisco

By Christopher Page
From the February 2008 Print Edition

On Saturday, January 19, the fourth annual West Coast Walk for Life was held in San Francisco, with thousands of people walking through the streets of the city in support of ending abortion.

The walk began with speeches in Justin Herman Plaza. The speakers included Dr. Alveda King of the Martin Luther King Jr. family and Gianna Jessen, who was delivered during a failed saline abortion. Some of the speakers emphasized the gravity of the situation — that 4,000 unborn children were being killed daily. One speaker said that the loss of life was similar to that of the 9/11 terrorist attacks every day.

Many groups of people came from near and far to defend the pro-life position. While some people came from across the state and country to march, other groups like the Berkeley Students for Life, a pro-life group on campus, only traveled across the bay. There were many Catholic groups in attendance, notably the Knights of Columbus and Cal’s own Newman Hall. The Berkeley College Republicans also sent a delegation to the walk.

The people gathered for the Walk were united in their conviction to work for an end to abortion and for a peaceful demonstration. Their route followed the Embarcadero along the water and concluded near Fort Mason. Those walking did more then just carry signs. Many people sang religious hymns, while others prayed devotional prayers such as the Rosary.

Along the way there were a few hundred prochoice supporters, including the San Francisco Atheists. Last year’s prominent slogan of “Keep your rosaries off our ovaries,” was almost unheard. A new addition to the pro-choice side was a marching band that walked on the sidewalk along with the marchers. Many brandished wire hangers and shouted “San Francisco is pro-choice,” but their yelling did not appear to faze the crowd.

At the end of the walk, there was an informational fair featuring live music. Some booths presented information on how people could help women in crisis pregnancies and political measures to end abortion. Except for the abortion issue, most of the marchers and people involved were non-political. One notable exception was the Ron Paul supporters, who canvassed the area with their fliers and signs.

The Walk was a few days before the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.

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