The annual Walk for Life West Coast, an anti-abortion demonstration, is planning to rally at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza and walk down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
They’re also planning a Silent No More Awareness Campaign, where women who regret their abortions will be sharing their stories, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the same location.
Activists from at least two different groups, Stop Patriarchy and Bay Area Radical Women, are currently planning counter-demonstrations along the way.
Stop the Patriarchy plans to confront the anti-abortion march at Powell and Market streets at 1 p.m. Radical Women plans to gather at 1:30 p.m. at Market and Steuart streets.
“We always respond in a peaceful and loving way to anyone with an opposing viewpoint,” said Rose Trabbic, a spokeswoman for Walk for Life West Coast. “We just invite people to come hear the message and keep an open mind.”
Trabbic said they want to help anyone who’s pregnant, or experiencing emotional trauma from abortions in their past.
“We’re not there to condemn people,” Trabbic said. “That’s the last thing we want to do.”
Walk for Life West Coast organizers said this will be their eleventh annual march, and they’re expecting 50,000 people at Saturday’s rally, which will reportedly be attended by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano.
Vigano also attended the event in 2013, organizers said.
Dave Brooksher, Bay City News
