For 60 people from Chatham, Ontario, taking their views to the streets of Ottawa meant covering a lot of road firstāabout eight hoursā worth.
The group, many of whom were from Christian Reformed churches in Chatham and surrounding towns, packed a bus and two vans and left at midnight to travel to Canadaās capital last Thursday for the annual pro-life rally that takes place on Parliament Hill. Then they boarded their vehicles again for the long trip home.
CRC members were among more than 10,000 people at a pro-life rally in Canadaās capital.
Brandy Robertson Young
Jeff Bultje, a member of , was one of the organizers of the bus trip from Chatham. Asked why he participates and encourages others to, he responded, āTo create a law for unborn children and to give them status. A child in the womb has no statusātheyāre not considered a person.ā
Kaitlyn Bos, 13, agreed: āItās neat to see so many people fighting for the same cause.ā Ryan McNamara, 16, added, āI think itās a very important issue . . . and if I can do something about it, I thought this is a great opportunity.ā
This is the second year the Chatham-area churches have sent a bus to the event. āWeāve tried other years,ā said Bultje, ābut couldnāt get enough people.ā
While heās encouraged by the rising numbers of participantsāboth locally and at the event as a wholeāBultje said he hopes more Christians will take up the challenge of seeking rights for the unborn. āIf Christians donāt get involved, politicians donāt get involved. Churches have not stood up and proclaimed this as an issue.ā
Canada has been without an abortion law of any kind since 1988.
According to local media reports, this yearās rally drew more than 10,000 people.
About the Author
Anita Brinkman is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. She lives in Chatham, Ontario.