 |
|
| Defend Life Rally goers bear signs outside the Madison Surgery Center at 1 S. Park St. on February 6 following a march from State St. in downtown Madison. The rally and march included peaceful confrontations with screaming pro-abortion advocates at the rally and later at the clinic. (Catholic Herald photo/Kat Wagner) To see more pictures, click here. |
MADISON — Close to 500 pro-life advocates from around Wisconsin attended the Defend Life Rally on State Street’s Library Mall in downtown Madison February 6 and marched peacefully to the Madison Surgery Center (MSC) despite screaming pro-abortion advocates at both locations.
The rally, organized by Pro-Life Wisconsin and Vigil for Life of Madison, featured various pro-life speakers and served as both a recognition of successful efforts put forth by local pro-life advocates to prevent abortions at the Madison Surgery Center and as impetus for the 40 Days for Life vigil expected to begin Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and for other pro-life events in the area.
The first Defend Life Rally in 2009 drew more than 800 people to protest the MSC board’s decision to begin performing abortions. Since that time, pro-life groups and demonstrators have maintained a persistent presence outside the site at 1 S. Park St. The MSC is jointly operated by Meriter Hospital, University Hospitals and Clinics, and the UW Medical Foundation.
“They thought we’d lose interest. They thought we’d forget. They thought we’d go away. My friends — have you lost interest? Have you forgotten? Do you plan on going away?” asked Steve Karlen, co-director of Vigil for Life. He received a resounding “no” from the crowd to each question.