Contact: Karen Hodel, Walk for Life West Coast, 415-287-4101

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 20, /Standard Newswire/ -- On Saturday, January 19, a woman who was aborted and survived urged a crowd of 25,000 to forgive and sent out a blessing of "mercy and grace and redemption" over the life of anyone who has had an abortion.

Photo: Walk for Life West Coast, hi-resolution version of this and other photos are available upon request. Photo by Gerald Augustinus, January 19, 2008.

After the speeches, the crowd walked along San Francisco's waterfront for 2.5 miles in the 4th Annual Walk for Life West Coast, carrying banners that proclaimed "Abortion Hurts Women" and "Women Deserve Better®." About 250 pro-choice protestors chanted and jeered alongside the pro-life walkers.

"I was aborted and did not die," Gianna Jessen told the cheering crowd, but added, "I will limp my way into heaven" because she bears the mark of the saline abortion, cerebral palsy, that was meant to end her life at a Los Angeles clinic.

"The abortionist signed my birth certificate," Jessen said. However, she noted, "My life is not defined by abortion. I am not a victim, I am a victor."

Jessen was one of four speakers at the Walk for Life rally at the foot of Washington Street and the Embarcadero. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., BlackGenocide.org founder Rev. Clenard Childress, and radio host Jesse Romero also spoke. Eight California Catholic bishops were on hand to support the event.

Alveda King sounded the key theme of the day, as the Walk was held two days before the federal holiday commemorating her uncle's birthday. After leading the assemblage in the civil rights song, "This Little Light of Mine," King left early to catch a flight back to Atlanta for a family dinner celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.

"We care about life from the womb to the tomb," Alveda King said. "My uncle said injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. Dr. King said that the Negro cannot win if he is willing to sacrifice the future of his children for personal comfort and safety. So here we are on behalf of the children, the future generation."

"We are pleased by the growing numbers and this is clearly a movement that is taking root in a city known for its trend-setting," said Walk Co-Chair Dolores Meehan. The first Walk in 2005 drew more than 5,000 and last year's Walk drew about 20,000 people.

For more information: www.walkforlifewc.com.

Women Deserve Better® is a trademark of Feminists for Life of America.