Thousands march against abortion
Walk for Life, a family affair, opens with rally at Civic Center
Thousands took to San Francisco’s streets to voice their opposition to abortion Saturday at an annual event that coincidentally coincided with the city’s Women’s March.
A thick crowd of men, women and children converged at the San Francisco Civic Center before the 1:30 p.m. walk down Market Street to the Ferry Building. At Civic Center, the crowd stood listening to big-name antiabortion activists at the heavily religious event as speakers stood before a large, colorful banner that read, “Abortion HURTS Women.”
“We stand here today because we understand the horror of abortion for children, for women, for men and ultimately our community,” Melissa Ohden, who said she is the survivor of a failed abortion, told the crowd. “Being pro-life isn’t just about being pro-child. It’s about being prowomen and pro-love.”
Among the speakers was Pam Tebow, the mother of former NFL quarterback and current New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow. She told the crowd she was advised to abort her son for health reasons, but out of faith gave birth to the baby who would grow up to become a Heisman Trophy winner.
“We kept thinking we lost Timmy so many times,” she said of her difficult pregnancy. “We had chosen to trust God ... I continued to bleed, and the Lord took care of my baby.”
A faithful crowd came out for the protest. One man wore a hat of newspapers shaped into a papal tiara. Another man, wearing a black cap that read, “I love Jesus,” held a U.S. flag in his hand as he looked on.
As thousands flooded Market Street with printed, professional signs, Christiana Reed held a handwritten sign that read, “Thank you Debbie S. for your gutsy decision in 1979 not to abort my husband.”
“This sign has been through at least five different marches,” said Reed, who travels from Sacramento every year to attend the event. “It kind of speaks for itself.”
People of all ages came out for the 13th annual Walk for Life, not to be confused with the March for Life, a similar demonstration set for next week in Washington, D.C., where Kellyanne Conway, senior counselor to President Trump, was expected to make an appearance.
The San Francisco event has “absolutely nothing to do with Trump,” said Eva Muntean, a Walk for Life organizer.
Ever year, antiabortion activists with Walk for Life plan their march for the weekend closest to the Jan. 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide.
This year, as marchers made their usual trek, they were met with shouts of “My body, my choice” from impromptu counterprotesters and members of the Bay Area Queer Anti-Fascist Network. But clashes with those soon to attend the Women’s March later in the afternoon were few and far between as both groups pledged peace.
It was mainly a family affair for those at the Right to Life Walk, as large families walked together. Katie Gray said she, her husband and her five children come out to the event every year.
“The pro-life movement is about love,” she said. “It’s about life and embracing all people and God’s plan for our lives.”