The Life Chain is an
anti-abortion
Anti-abortion movements, also self-styled as pro-life or abolitionist movements, are involved in the abortion debate advocating against the practice of abortion and its legality. Many anti-abortion movements began as countermovements in respons ...
social movement organization. It was started in 1987 in
Yuba City and
Marysville by a small California-based anti-abortion rights ministry called Please Let Me Live.
Every first Sunday of October, Life Chain invites various churches and
congregation
A congregation is a large gathering of people, often for the purpose of worship.
Congregation may also refer to:
*Church (congregation), a Christian organization meeting in a particular place for worship
*Congregation (Roman Curia), an administra ...
s across the United States and Canada to stand on designated sidewalks to pray and rally for one hour.
Backlash
In September 1991, Life Chain activists formed a demonstration in
Manhattan, New York City
Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the List of co ...
during which 1,200 abortion rights opponents formed a "vast, sparse human cross."
This relatively small number of
Pro-Lifers was met with an opposing
Pro-Choice demonstration, consisting of 4,000 pro-abortion marchers who rallied down the streets and "engulfed them in a roar of chants, shouts, and anger."
No injuries were reported and only three people were taken in to custody for disorderly conduct. After the streets settled down, both sides were quick to claim victory; the pro-choice group, led by Rayna Baum, saw success in its superior numbers, while the anti-abortion group saw success in their being faithful in their service to God in the face of overwhelming opposition.
References
{{reflist
External links
National Life Chain
Anti-abortion organizations in Canada
Anti-abortion organizations in the United States