Focusing on the impending U.S. Supreme Court case which may finally overturn the notorious Roe v. Wade decision, an estimated 15,000-20,000 pro-lifers from as far away as Oregon, Idaho and San Diego gathered in Civic Center Plaza at the 18th annual Walk for Life West Coast.

The Mississippi legislation would outlaw abortion after 15 weeks, and many believe there is a 6-3 majority in favor of upholding the law. The hearing on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was Dec. 1 and a ruling is expected by June.

“As you know, even if this happens, our work is not done,” Eva Muntean, Walk co-chair, exhorted the crowd.

California’s pro-abortion legislative supermajority and Gov. Gavin Newsom have vowed to turn California – which already has no restrictions on abortion—into an “abortion sanctuary” for the nation.

The Walk was a joyous celebration, noted Sue Connolly, Church of the Nativity parishioner in Menlo Park. “Seeing all the youthful faces of the pro-life generation gives me so much encouragement,” Connolly said.

From its very beginning in 2005, the Walk for Life focused on outreach and support for pregnant women and compassion for those who have had an abortion. An info-faire with booths offering information and support, particularly for women in crisis pregnancies, dates to 2005. Among those at the faire, on this 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, were representatives of the San Francisco archdiocese’s Gabriel Project ministry to women in crisis pregnancy and the abortion healing ministry. The traditional Silent No More Campaign rally and testimony was held before the main rally, and women and men who had abortions shared their stories publicly with the crowd.

Walk speaker and Los Angeles Silent No More activist Irene Zamorano-Archacki, who had an abortion when she was six months pregnant, appealed directly to President Joe Biden in her speech at the rally. “I have a message for President Biden. You are a baptized Catholic. He healed me and he can heal you.”

And she stressed the importance of every day activism. “My daughter would be alive today if there was just one sidewalk counselor,” Zamorano-Archacki said, recounting her story of visiting the abortion clinic hoping someone would stop her.

Full story at Walk for Life West Coast.