Group protests abortions
Speaking out — Members of the Nelson Right to Life Society lined Front. Street with anti-abortion signs on Oct. 4.
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Around 40 men and women came together on Front Street to hold signs about the negative aspects of abortion at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4.
Their peaceful demonstration was part of the international “Life Chain” event, taking place at the same time in cities around the world.
The Life Chain Network has been promoting the event for 20 years in the U.S. They send signs to all the participating pro-life groups and encourage people to be courteous and not stand near open businesses with the signs.
Mathilde Klassen, of the Nelson Right to Life Society, organized the local event. She held a sign that read “abortion kills children” and distributed similar signs to others who showed up to the event.
“This day helps bring together people who hold the same belief that abortion is murder,” said Klassen. “It’s good to know you’re not the only one that thinks that.”
The response of people passing the demonstration in their vehicles was mixed. Some honked to show support while others gave the demonstrators a thumbs down or yelled their disapproval out open windows. Many passed without reaction.
Klassen said the negativity they met when speaking out against abortion is one of the reasons more people don’t come out to events like the Life Chain.
With 120 members in the Right to Life Society, it was only a third that came out to the event.
“I think there’s a lot of people who would rather abortions didn’t happen in Canada,” said Klassen. “But not all those people are willing to be public about it like this.”
But Klassen has never shied away from controversy. She’s been part of the Nelson Right to Life Society for 50 years and was chair of the society for a time.
The Life Chain is the only public demonstration the society does in a year. Mostly they dedicate their energy to supporting mothers in crisis and discouraging them from having abortions.
While Klassen said she’d like to see abortions made illegal in Canada, she doesn’t expect that to happen any time soon.
“All you can do is give people information and tell them there are other options,” said Klassen.
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