Pro-life rally hits Memorial Avenue, part of nation-wide campaign

Protesters say they are speaking for the rights of the unborn children and want abortion abolished from Canada.

More than a hundred residents gathered along the sidewalk at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Central Avenue on Sunday. The weekend long protest, which started on Saturday continued with protesters holding signs that read "abortion kills children" and "adoption the loving option".

The protest is part of a nation wide campaign against abortion and euthanasia called Life Chain.

Dan Somerfield, president of Thunder Bay and Area Right to Life, said have held the event for about five years in the city and chose the busy intersection to get more awareness.

"It’s an ecumenical event so Catholics, Protestants and other faiths have come together to protest against abortion and euthanasia," Somerfield said. "They come out to represent a silent witness against this culture of death. We’re here to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves."

Abortion isn’t illegal in Canada but Somerfield said there isn’t any reason for it and should be abolished.

Some motorists showed their support by honking their horns but not everyone who passed by supported the cause.

Morgan Reilly continued her jog down Memorial Avenue on the opposite side of the protesters. A second year political science student at Lakehead University, Reilly said abortion should remain a pro-choice option for women and disagreed with the protesters that abortion should become illegal.

"I feel the issue speaks for itself," Reilly said. "I think it should be up to me to do what I want with my body. I don’t need people telling me what they think is best for me."