Residents concerned about protecting pre-born life walked the streets over the weekend with the goal to provide a visible example of pro-life efforts in the community.
Nearly 100 people young and old gathered at Victory Church on Sept. 14 as part of Moose Jaw Right to Life’s annual Walk for Life. After registering at the church, the participants slipped on pro-life T-shirts and grabbed pink and blue signs before heading south on Main Street for the walk.
The participants slowly made their way down the block to Manitoba Street, before heading west to First Avenue Northwest. They then shuffled north until they reached Athabasca Street and then turned east to head back to the church.
Walk for Life is a peaceful, joyful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals, explained president Jean Landry. Participants walk in the community to bring awareness to the fact that life is precious and there can be alternatives to the life-ending choice of abortion or euthanasia.
“By our witness, by our signs, we attempt to awaken the public conscience to think about respecting and supporting every life, from the women with an unplanned pregnancy to the elderly who may feel that his or her life is a burden to others,” she said.
“We walk and collectively implore God to turn our hearts and minds away from this culture of death we have embraced and lead us back to a culture of life.”
Moose Jaw Right to Life uses its Walk for Life event as a fundraiser so it can pay its bills and keep its Main Street location open. In a small way, Landry said, the organization attempts to support new mothers in the community by giving away free maternity and baby clothes every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
“We are grateful to the community for the regular donations of baby clothes to enable us to provide this service,” she added.
Participants raised $2,170 before the walk and in contributions at registration.
Many motorists honked in support of the walkers during the march, although one motorist drove past and shouted out his window that animals deserve protection as well.
