Pro-Life Berks members stood along the Berkshire Boulevard overpass Friday afternoon above Routes 422 and 222 in Wyomissing in the hopes of getting their message out.
Drivers honked in response to their banners hung on the chain-link fence along the overpass as the members waved to the drivers while also holding American flags.
“We want people to just remember life is precious, life begins at conception and, especially now more than ever, all lives matter,” said Kathy Kuhns, Pro-Life Berks president, who sat in a lawn chair and waved her flag in response to honks from vehicles passing beneath.
It was the fourth year the organization participated in National Pro-Life Bridges Day.
According to Kuhns, more than 60 cities were participating.
About 10 members stood along the sides of the overpass during the first hour of the group’s two-hour event.
“We just hope that we may even reach reach one girl who is abortion-minded, who’s pregnant, who’s facing an unplanned pregnancy,” Kuhns said. “If that one person is reached it’s worth it.”
Paul and Megan Nicotra of Wernersville were taking part for the first time though they have attended other pro-life events, including the March for Life, and they prayed and protested outside a Planned Parenthood in the past.
“We just want to save the lives of babies,” Paul Nicotra said.
Megan Nicotra said their reason for being involved in the pro-life movement is their Catholic faith, which says all life is precious from conception to natural death. Like Kuhns, Megan was hoping that being reminded of the pro-life message could help someone remember they have other options in a future situation.
“We’re hoping it plants a seed and makes people think,” she said.
Members of the group also felt it was important to share the message publicly.
“I think it’s important to stand up for what our beliefs are,” said Laura Wilson of Reading. “Life is so important so we should all be doing everything we can to protect it. I do think there are more people pro-life, but I don’t think a lot of people stand up.”
Bob Wert of Lower Heidelberg Township also felt it was important to stand up for his beliefs and that doing so in a public setting would let others know that they are not alone in supporting the pro-life movement.
“When people express a positive viewpoint about what we’re trying to do, it solidifies that in their own mind, makes other people feel maybe they can do it too,” Wert said. “The only way to change legislation is to change hears and minds at the grassroots. That’s what we’re doing.”
