Wow! What a day!

Watch all the talks here!

Threats of rain certainly did not scare tens of thousands of pro-lifers from coming together to stand for the littlest and most defenseless among us January 20, 2024 at the 20th Annual Walk for Life West Coast.

The rally opened with our beloved Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone leading us in prayer and saying “The heavens are shedding tears of joy to see all of you here standing for life!”

His Excellency was followed by Live Action founder and president Lila Rose who told us “We know that life is greater than death…and human life is the future, pro-life is the future…You truly, truly are shining lights in a dark city. California, our beautiful state is not the sum of … the evil we have permitted here,” she said, referring to the constitutional amendment making abortion legal until birth that was passed by voters in the November following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022. She reminded the crowd that more than 32,000 children have been saved from abortion since the Dobbs decision in 2022: “So don’t let anyone tell you that darkness is winning.”

Kaya Jones, a former girl band singer with the Pussycat Dolls, recounted some of her history of musical success marred by three abortions and her discovery of the healing power of Jesus Christ. Healing is possible, she said, “Repent, forgive, love.” Jones urged the crowd to pray with her for the pro-abortion protestors whose chants across the plaza punctuated the prolife speakers’ talks. “Pray for the people who are there. Lord I ask you right now … that you would show them that life is the only way.”

Kimberly Henkel, who with her husband adopted four children, founded Springs of Love, a ministry to equip Catholics to discern and live out the call to foster and adopt. She urged those at the rally to “say yes to helping vulnerable children in foster care or supporting a foster family and say yes to starting a Springs of Love chapter in your parish.” May we follow her urging!

Before the crowd departed to walk along Market Street, Rev. Clenard Childress Jr. who spoke at the first Walk in 2005, and nearly every one after that, told those present that God is with them. “No matter how depressing things get … give God a praise very day…He says I will be with you always…we will be victorious. We shall overcome. We are the people who God has chosen to live in these perilous times.”

By the end of the rally the rain had ended and the Reverend’s words rang so true as we filled Market Street as far as the eye could see and walked and witnessed for truth love and hope!

Thanks to all of you, and we will see you next year!

Photo: Dennis Callahan/Archdiocese of San Francisco