SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Approximately 3,000 pro-life advocates met at the steps of the California Capitol in Sacramento on April 22 to call on legislators to denounce abortion and protect the lives of unborn children.
“We’re just out here to give our support and take a stand for life,” Paul Liberati, senior pastor at the Church of the King located in Sacramento, told The Epoch Times during the rally.
Supporters of the movement have been calling for a change to federal and state laws to ban abortion for decades.
“What we’re saying today is not novel, it’s not new, it’s not beyond anyone’s understanding,” Mr. Liberati said. “Life begins at conception, and every human being knows that, and at this point, the battle that needs to be fought is simply reaffirming those basic foundational truths, and that’s what we’re here to do.”
Groups representing many faiths joined forces on the Capitol lawn to prepare for a march through downtown in a concerted effort, they said, to support and protect families.
“It’s a very important mission because the children are our future,” Michael Whitcraft—with the Catholic nonprofit American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property—told The Epoch Times during the rally. “The family is the bedrock of society, and if we have strong families, we have a strong society.”
He said the marchers’ commitment to the cause is unwavering because they believe the future of humanity is at stake.
“Abortion is something that attacks the family directly,” Mr. Whitcraft said. “Children are a gift from God, and they perpetuate us from generation to generation.”
The sanctity of life is indisputable and should be prioritized, he suggested.
“Also, you have a moral issue in that human life cannot be killed,” Mr. Whitcraft said. “It’s very important to obey the most fundamental right that exists, and that’s the right to life.”
Dozens of attendees echoed his sentiments.
“This is people coming in person to stand up for righteousness for the unborn to protect the little people in the womb,” Mark Zulim, an advocate for children’s rights, told The Epoch Times. “They need to be protected.”
Another advocate said the movement is looking to inspire those with traditional values to build up courage and let their voices be heard.
“We’re marching for life, and abortion is murder,” Tim Clement, outreach director for the Christian-based Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust, told The Epoch Times. “We need people of faith and conservative values to rise up and fight against this great genocide in our backyard.”
He blamed a lack of faith and atheism as a contributing factor to the current political situation.
“Faith is always the answer,” Mr. Clement said. “The creator continues to create, ever since day one, in the place of the womb, and this is why we protect life because it represents our creator.”
One marcher said the goal of informing lawmakers about the desires of their constituents was a motivating factor in assembling at the Capitol.
“Abortion is murder, and murder is a sin,” Kenneth Williams, a military meteorologist, told The Epoch Times. “We have to do everything we can to tell legislators that we don’t want abortion in our state.”
While the state is run by a Democratic super-majority, millions of voters are being left out of the conversation and do not feel represented, he said.
“There’s a really big pro-life movement here in California,” Mr. Williams said. “And just because the state is overtly blue doesn’t mean that we aren’t here. There are a lot of American patriots here.”
The rally comes on the heels of California Gov. Gavin Newsom running ad campaigns in Alabama, among other states, urging women seeking abortions to flee states that are restricting the procedures and come to California. Mr. Newsom also announced on April 21 that forthcoming legislation will address Arizona’s recent decision to ban abortions in the state.
One group helping organize the event, the Catholic organization Knights of Columbus, has a long history of supporting the pro-life movement.
“The Knights have been pro-life since the very beginning,” Greg Marracq, California state deputy for the group, told The Epoch Times during the rally. “Our dedication to life spins out into so many different areas. We sponsor ultrasound machines, and we walk the talk. Not only are we giving money, but we also give supplies and help with fundraisers.”
He argued that Mr. Newsom’s declaration of California as a sanctuary state for abortions is misaligned with many Californians’ belief systems.
“I think the governor is busy running for office outside of the state, and he needs to remember that he works for us here, and he needs to be open to representing everybody,” Mr. Marracq said. “Not everybody is interested in bringing people into our state for abortions.”
A request for comment from Mr. Newsom was not returned on deadline.
