Activists march against abortion

Jamie Doran

Valley Press

On the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision protesters gathered in Thompson Falls in hopes of one day changing the country’s current abortion policy.

Around 50 people braved the below freezing temperatures for the event Thursday Jan. 22 to march down Main Street in Thompson Falls to show their support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The march started with a song by Sean Blackwell, who was inspired to write a song based on a poster his 6-year-old daughter had carried at the march last year. The sign said “I love babies” and Blackwell’s song included lyrics about loving every one of God’s children and that “every baby, every kid should be given the right to live.”

Before getting the march under way, organizer Don Gratz led the protesters in a prayer.

“Bless all of us gathered here today,” he said. “Put the Holy Spirit in the minds and hearts of our president and legislators, so they can see the horrors of abortion. Give us the courage to be silent no more.”

The procession led the marchers down Main Street in Thompson Falls from the courthouse until they reached Ferry Street.

The marched down the street with various signs opposing abortion as they sang songs about God’s love. Gratz used a megaphone to amplify his voice as they traveled down the street.

William Fausett helped carry a banner with Ethan Shell during the march and said that he felt it was important to participate in the event.

“All human life is precious and sacred,” Fausett said. “If we can’t defend the smallest and most precious of life then how can we be expected to defend or protect any other life?”

Shell agreed with Fausett. “I completely second William,” he said. “We need to make it a priority to make sure that all life is protected.”

When the march was over, Gratz wrapped up the event by urging everyone in attendance to contact their Congressman to let them know where they stood on the issue of abortion.

“We need to take action because this is a very difficult and emotional choice,” he said.

Jerry Messing, who held a “Choose Life” banner in the parade echoed Gratz’s sentiments.

“We need to make sure we act,” he said. “Sure it is good to participate in a march like this, but nothing is going to get done unless we get out there and do something about it.”

While the main event might have been in Thompson Falls, one Plains woman took to the streets in downtown Plains on her own, just as she has every year for the past 16 years to illustrate her feelings on the abortion issue.

Terrie Woods said she has been standing on Railroad Ave. with her sign every Jan. 22 for the past 16 years.

“It is important for me to do this in Plains, because I grew up here,” she said.

Woods got pregnant with her daughter as a senior in high school and said that it was a scary and difficult time, but that a “baby is a baby from conception,” which is why she decided not to terminate the pregnancy.

Because of how strongly she feels about the abortion issue, Woods founded Blessings from Above Pregnancy Center in Plains to help women who find themselves pregnant and don’t know where to turn.

“We supply them with support, information, rides to doctors appointments and even baby accessories,” Woods said as she walked up and down Railroad Ave. Thursday afternoon. “We want to provide them with a safe and comfortable atmosphere, so they know that they aren’t in this alone.”

She said the center isn’t judgmental and that the goal is to provide for more in depth outreach to the expectant mother.

“It is a lot more easy access than people might think,” she said. “We’re not here to convict them or anything, we just want to help, and we’ll try to help with anything that will make it easier on them to choose life.”

Woods said that Plains has always been very kind to her and supportive of her.

“This is just a great community, and I couldn’t ask for any better support than what plains has given me,” she said.

As for why she does this year after year, Woods had a very simple answer.

“If you believe in something strong enough, you should offer to help in any way you can,” she said. “I’m just willing to do something positive for what I believe.”