Pro-life supporters walk across the nation

PLAINS - A group with a cause made their way across Sanders County on Friday. Crossroads, a pro-life group, will continue to make their way across the country walking over 12,000 miles from Seattle to Washington D.C.

Consisting of 11 walkers, the group takes turns with three walkers taking a three- mile stretch before trading off to the next group. At the end of the day, the entire group sleeps in a recreational vehicle at camps along the way. They do not walk at night due to safety concerns.

The group said they are part of a larger nationwide campaign to raise awareness of pro-life issues. The group said they hope to change people’s minds about the issue and change people’s lives in the process.

Walker Elizabeth Greve said she volunteered for the adventure and to “uphold the sanctity of all human life.”

“The walks have been going on since 1995. I was finishing up my senior year in high school and I was searching for a charitable activity I could do. My mom had heard about Crossroads so I looked it up and felt a calling to be part of it,” said Greve.

There are other walks taking place simultaneously around the country. One started in San Francisco and is taking a route through the middle of the country. The third started in Los Angeles and will travel through the southern states.

22-year-old Tyler Cutrer is coordinating the northern leg of the walk. As walk leader, Cutrer is responsible for handling the logistics of walking across the country as well as planning the route.

“I signed up to do this on a whim. I just graduated college and I didn’t know what I was going to do and this kind of presented itself at a really interesting time so I jumped on it,” said Cutrer.

Since the group rests at night, Cutrer said one of the biggest challenges was getting as many miles under their belts as possible. Cutrer also said sleeping 11 people in the RV had proven to be a complex issue.

‘The biggest thing is figuring out how to get the most miles out of a day. Determining the most efficient and the safest way to do that has been a struggle,” said Cutrer. “Things have been going well so far. There have been a few blisters and a few sore limbs here and there.”

The group plans on being in Washington D.C. by August 8. Their arrival will coincide with a massive pro-life rally in front of the U.S. Capitol on August 10.

Crossroads was established in 1995. According to their website, the “pilgrimages” across the U.S. is an integral part of the organization.