Hundreds of pro-life champions in Calgary convened on Oct. 5 for the annual Life Chain public witness and prayer demonstration, one of 350 such one-hour sidewalk gatherings staged across Canada.

Some motorists cruising along the ever-busy Macleod Trail honked their horns or put their thumbs up in support. Others made crude gestures or shouted derogatory language in opposition. 

Participants held signs displaying various slogans that advocate for the protection of life from conception to natural death: “Abortion Kills Children,” “Abortion Hurts Women,” and “Adoption: A Loving Option.”

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This year marked the 35th anniversary of Life Chain being staged in Canada. Campaign Life Coalition, the political arm of the Canadian pro-life movement, brought this event north from the United States in 1991.

“Spreading awareness locally at least once per year is the least we can do until we finally see an end to abortion,” said Josie Luetke, Campaign Life’s education and advocacy director.  “Our culture is crying out for modern-day prophets who will courageously share the truth and call for a conversion of heart.”

Sara Francis, a mother of seven, characterized the event in Calgary as an important educational experience for her children who stood alongside her.

“I want my children to get a sense of the issues,” said Francis. “It forces me to tell them why we’re here. I didn’t want to have to tell them about the world that we’re in where abortion exists and people don’t want their baby. I really grappled with telling them that and they’ve had a lot of questions today.”

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While Francis’ kids are newcomers to advocating for a culture of life in the civic square, Faye Wall is a 30-year veteran of Life Chain. She summed up the convictions that keeps her coming back succinctly: “Choosing life is such a positive way to go and choosing abortion is such a negative. It is bad for the whole country.”

Ethan Schalk was among the noticeably large contingent of teenagers and young adults present at this roadside assembly. His goal was to make an impactful, prayerful statement.

“Abortion is ultimately murder,” said Schalk. “Unborn children, they don’t have a choice. I am here to just nicely put my point out there without forcing it on anybody and to be a witness to the Gospel.”

Paul Florentino was also on hand with his wife and five children. He said Life Chain is an occasion to “strengthen our muscle to be courageous on things that speaks the most for us in our faith.”

Leanne Krell, an avid participant in recent years, said she is motivated by her “heart for preborn babies” and her desire to “raise awareness for their right to live.” She also stands for women and men who have considered abortion or have gone through with the procedure to “let them know there is forgiveness and healing.”

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Richard Dur, the executive director of Prolife Alberta, said he was delighted by this year’s turnout.

“It’s been an excellent response, also from those to whom we bear witness,” said Dur. “A lot of people are honking their horn in support, a lot of thumbs up and that is good to see. It’s a good way of witnessing to the public the gift of life.”