Thousands join pro-life march in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Francis Cardinal George and Archbishop Blase Cupich attended events Sunday in support of the Roman Catholic Church's anti-abortion, pro-life stance. A rally downtown also saw a counter protest by pro-choice supporters.

The 10th anniversary of the Chicago March for Life comes as we approach the 42nd anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision in the Roe v. Wade case, affirming a woman's right to choose.

"Every single unborn child is in the crosshairs of the abortion industry," said Eric Scheidler, Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League.

Shaun Haggerty traveled from Milwaukee for Sunday's rally. "It's about the children it's about the babies they are really important to us," Haggerty said.

This March for Life joins other Pro-Life events across the country. Organizers say their message is that all lives are important and that abortions need to end.

Chicago Archbishop Blaise Cupich joined Sunday's protest and plans on attending the national march later this week as well. "I'm proud to be able to walk with people who are concerned about the protection of human life from the first moment of conception to the last moment of natural death," Cupich said.

The thousands of participants who gathered on Chicago's Federal Plaza -- were met with pro-choice protesters.

"We need to remember that while we celebrate, the more important thing is to continue to fight so that stuff can't be taken away from us entirely," said Alison Olhava, pro-choice advocate.

Despite his health issues, Cardinal Francis George -- spoke at a march for life brunch sponsored by the Aid For Women organization. "Life is never isolated. We think of ourselves as individuals, but we're not. We're a network of relationships first," Cardinal George said.

Marchers who walked through The Loop to another rally at the Thompson Center were upbeat about continuing their battle over the sanctity of all human life. "The babies lives matter somebody must speak for them that can't speak for themselves," said Jane Colleton, pro-life advocate.