A California Catholic Daily exclusive by Anna Rose.

This Friday is the tenth anniversary of Walter Hoye’s Standing Up 4 Life Rally and Walk in Frank Ogawa Plaza on the eve of the annual West Coast Walk for Life. Unfortunately, Hoye is being forced to cancel this year’s walk out of an abundance of caution for the safety of his supporters. Several anti-Trump groups are preparing to take over Frank Ogawa Plaza, a location the protesters have dubbed “Oscar Grant Plaza”, in protest of the inauguration of Donald Trump.

In the past, Walter Hoye’s event has been overrun with pro-abortion forces with little action from the police. This year, with the promise of civil unrest and many different factions working together to ensure that happens, it was just too much of a risk to the safety of the pro-life contingent that normally attends. The City of Oakland has been shown to be unprepared to keep peace and expects their force to be spread thin over Friday’s events. His nighttime event on the eve of the Walk for Life is still going on as planned, however.

Hoye is hoping to see everyone at the West Coast Walk for Life and he is confident in the safety of attendees there. “The San Francisco Police Department does an excellent job of protecting free speech in San Francisco. They are the best at ensuring both free speech and safety of everyone. I will be there on the stage at the Walk for Life and I will be walking. I encourage everyone to bring their families and friends to stand up for life!” Hoye said.

While Walter Hoye is cancelling his official rally and walk, he will still be there praying quietly and walking the same route he walks every year to mourn the destruction abortion has wrought in the black community. He hopes to resume his public walk and rally next year.