West Coast Pro-Lifers Prepare for March Ahead of 'Roe' Anniversary
Thousands of pro-lifers are gearing up for a “Walk for Life” along San Francisco’s waterfront on the eve of the anniversary 1973 Supreme Court Decision that nationalized abortion.
SAN FRANCISCO – Thousands of pro-lifers are gearing up for a “Walk for Life” along San Francisco’s waterfront on Saturday, including a pair of African American activists who are highlighting the disproportionate number of abortions in the black community.
The event will take place on the eve of the anniversary 1973 Supreme Court Decision that nationalized abortion and is expected to surpass the 7,500 who attended last year. The trend represents a growing number of African Americans who are joining the pro-life movement, even as issues of poverty, crime and race remain high on the priority.
“Black women constitute 7 percent of the American population yet account for more than 35 percent of our abortions,” says Star Parker, founder of Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education. Parker is a former welfare mother who had four abortions before becoming active in politics and starting up her organization to focus on issues of race and poverty.
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“There’s no way that a rubber stamp on Roe v. Wade is a pro-black stance,” she adds.
Parker will be one of three main speakers at the Walk for Life West Coast. Joining her will be Feminists for Life of America President Serrin Foster and the Rev. Clenard Childress Ph.D, founder of BlackGenocide.org.
“Abortion is a reflection that we have not me the needs of women,” says Foster, who has sought to reach out to pro-choice groups by seeking to join in the common task of providing services for women that address financial and career related issues that affect some women’s decisions on abortion.
Childress will also speak out on the issue of abortion on Thursday in nearby Oakland before a few dozen pastors, according to organizers. He is the North East regional director of the Life Education and Resource Network (LEARN) which seeks to strengthen the network of African American and minority pro-life and pro-family advocates. He views the pro-life movement as an extension of the civil rights movement.
“Like Selma to Montgomery the Walk for Life parallels the same cause – we are speaking for a people that cannot speak for themselves. A people who have been disenfranchised, silenced and abused,” he said.
Walk for Life West Coast will begin with a rally at the Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market St. at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, starting with a rally at 11 a.m. PST. The walk will begin at 12 noon, going along the Embarcadero, and ending at Marina Green where there will be an Info Fair with pregnancy resources.
The theme of this year’s event will be “Women Deserve Better than Abortion.”
A counter protest is expected by pro-abortion advocates who will line the route of the march.
