300 protest legal abortion via Life Chain in WarrenSFlb

October 6, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

WARREN

Carrying signs with such messages as “Abortion kills children,” “Lord, forgive us and our nation” and “Jesus heals and forgives,” approximately 300 people stood in the cold Sunday afternoon to protest abortion—a quiet demonstration conducted annually for 24 years.

“This is peaceful awareness and support of life,” said Michelle Cristo of Warren, who described herself as a regular participant in the anti-abortion protest.

“My prayer is for abortion to be totally illegal in this country,” she said.

That appeared to be the unanimous view of participants in the Trumbull County Life Chain, the name of the right-to-life organization sponsoring the 60-minute demonstration along a 1-mile stretch of Elm Road Northeast from Warren Plaza to Warren G. Harding High School.

James Earl, 58, of North Bloomfield served as the event coordinator. He said the chain represents a Christian viewpoint, but he believes its message is more widespread.

“There are other denominations out there, and we’re not judging anyone,” Earl said. “We can agree that God gives life and sustains life, and we’re greatly influenced by that message.”

The sign holders consisted of a mix of young and old, men and women. Some brought very young children who were bundled up against the 44-degree temperatures

“I’m not sure if this helps, but I believe it does,” said Jim Sweet, a Warren resident who has participated in the Life Chain for several years. Sweet, 30, was accompanied by his mother and father who introduced him to the protest several years ago. “We’ve been coming ever since,” he said.

Several of those interviewed expressed frustration that since the first Life Chain in 1990, nothing has substantially changed, and abortion is still legal in America.

“It’s terrible what is happening to human life,” said Patricia Renda ofCortland. Renda added that she believes the annual gathering can still influence the motorists who drive by to look at the signs.

“They see it, and it makes them aware of it,” she said. A few motorists honked as they passed by in what may have been a show of support.

“We stand against a holocaust,” said Earl. “God said ‘thou shalt not kill’ and God’s laws do not change,” the coordinator said.

Printed material provided by the organization described abortion as the “nation’s tragic war on the unborn.”

Earl said approximately 40 area churches were represented in the Life Chain and that some planned to have follow-up meetings and discussions at the conclusion of the hour-long protest.

An attempt to reach a representative of the local chapter of Planned Parenthood, which supports women’s rights to abortion, was unsuccessful.