Locals gather around county for protest

Danielle Switalski

The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” rang through downtown Thompson Falls late Friday morning as dozens of residents gathered for the annual March for Life on the 37th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, a Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the U.S.

Don Gratz, a member of the Catholic men’s organization called Knights of Columbus, brought the nationwide March for Life to Thompson Falls three years ago in order to raise awareness about the Prolife movement he has always felt strongly about.

“There have been these kinds of marches all over the country on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and so we thought why not have it here and bring it to mind. I find it so hard to believe that people can rationalize in their mind the taking of these young lives,” said Gratz adding that every day 3,000 to 4,000 abortions take place in the United States.

The March for Life began at the Thompson Falls courthouse as dozens marched through the streets of downtown holding Prolife signs and singing repeatedly the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” This is the first year since the march started in Thompson Falls where two Prochoice protesters held signs on the sidewalk reading “Stay out of my womb.”

Among the marchers was Senator Greg Hinkle who said he has been a strong supporter of the Prolife movement for his entire political life and believes he is giving a voice to unborn children.

“I believe in choice, but what about the choice of the baby in the womb. I believe that this is the core issue of where America is at today; we have to go back to the core beliefs and if we can’t stand up to the right to life then we as a nation are in big trouble,” said Hinkle after the protest.

Hinkle is currently working on more than one Prolife movement after a Supreme Court decision passed a few weeks ago supporting physician assisted suicide in the state of Montana. Hinkle immediately wrote a bill draft and sent it in to try and make physician assisted suicide illegal in the state.

For Thompson Falls resident Tammy Dean, partaking in the walk is more personal as she has seven children, 16 grandchildren and a great grandchild.

“If any of them were ever aborted I would have died, that’s a life from the minute of conception. I’m hoping people will wake up and realize this is a baby given by a purpose, this is a gift from God,” said Dean.

Linda Parker was also in attendance for personal reasons as she said her and her husband of fifty years lost their first child and the pain of losing a baby was enough for her to partake in the Prolife march.

“I’ve always been for babies and I want to let people know that we’re all together in this and we love the babies but we love America,” said Parker.

While the march was taking place in Thompson Falls, Terrie Woods, Plains resident and founder of Blessings from Above, an organization dedicated to helping pregnant women, was planning her own personal protest as she stood outside for hours on Friday afternoon on Railroad Street holding a Prolife sign.

Woods began Blessings from Above six years ago, but became dedicated to the Prolife movement 20 years ago when she first saw a graphic picture of an aborted baby.

“I’ve been in jail before for my beliefs. They will never change or go away. Since I run Blessings from Above, I believe the best way to reach out is by providing the services necessary for someone to choose life,” said Woods, who believes the first step to helping a pregnant women is through support.

Blessings from Above will help any pregnant woman in need with things such as housing, helping pay for doctor’s appointments, cribs, baby items and any other needs. All her services are done in confidence.

“I just try to be there for them and try not to judge them and my heart goes out to those who have had abortions because a lot of women I have met still cry and still have guilt over it, so it’s pretty tough to see that,” said Woods.

As far as standing on the corner holding a Prolife sign is concerned, Woods said she does it because people need to know the stages of life and hopes that mothers, daughters, boyfriends and girlfriends driving by will see her Prolife message and talk about pregnancy before it actually happens.

“I think the biggest thing these girls are scared of is telling their parents and they need to get over themselves, this is a baby, and if they’re not ready there’s adoption. I don’t think there’s any greater love than carrying a child. Abortion isn’t the right way,” said Woods.

To learn more information about Blessings from Above please contact Terrie Woods at 546-2603.