San Francisco, CA (LifeNews.com) -- The Walk for Life West Coast has grown since its inception and more than 25,000 people took part in the pro-life witness in one of the most pro-abortion cities in the nation. In preparation for the next walk on January 24, the group has sponsored a new billboard.
The sign, advertising the Walk for Life West Coast's signature slogan "Abortion Hurts Women" is now displayed near the approach to one of the most traveled bridges in the U.S.
The 20' x 60' billboard is easily visible to the more than 100,000 cars driving the freeway daily on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge approach.
It includes a phone number for a post-abortion helpline, which is staffed by women who have themselves experienced abortion.
Walk for Life co-chair Eva Muntean talked with LifeNews.com about the billboard, which went up on December 31, and the upcoming walk.
"San Francisco is a beautiful city but there is a lot of sadness beneath the surface--until recently we had more abortions than live births, and a high percentage of our population has experienced abortion," she said.
"We need to reach those women (and men) who are hurting, and this seemed like the most effective method," Muntean added.
The billboard is located at Fourth and Bryant Streets in San Francisco. The Bay Bridge carries approximately 270,000 cars a day, according to state Department of Transportation statistics.
Walk for Life West Coast was founded in 2005 and drew 8,000 people the first year. Each year the turnout has grown, and it draws walkers from along the Pacific coast and as far east as Florida and New York.
A record 25,000 pro-life people participated in the annual event last year, with more modern presentations of the pro-life message to the more liberal populations on the Left Coast.
Marchers carried signs saying “Abortion Hurts Women” and “Women Deserve Better.”
Walkers paraded down thee streets of San Francisco after hearing from Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gianna Jessen, a woman who survived an abortion, at a pre-walk rally.
Only about 250 pro-abortion protesters showed up to hurl insults and wave their banners in the faces of those attending the walk.
"I was aborted and did not die," Jessen told the crowd. Instead, "the abortionist signed my birth certificate."
King compared the pro-life movement with the struggle her family endured for civil rights for African Americans.
"My uncle said injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere," King said.
Some 5,000 people participated in 2005, there were 20,000 in 2007 and organizers hope for even more this year.
Related web sites:
Walk for Life West Coast - http://www.walkforlifewc.com
