JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of pro-life marchers wrapped around the entire federal courthouse Tuesday in downtown Jacksonville, walking, praying, holding signs and chanting, asking for an end to abortion in the United States.
It's been 40 years since abortion was made legal federally in the controversial Roe vs. Wade case, and pro-life supporters are gathering four decades later, saying they want it repealed and want life to be respected again.
"I had an abortion when I was 19 years old," said Mary Lopez Huston, of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign. "My daughter would be 33 years old this year, and like many other women, I have not had any children after that. And many of us have suffered for years from the emotional, physical and spiritual effects of abortion."
"People listen, you know," said Ed McGowan, a pro-life supporter. "Even if we can just get to one mind, one heart and change that, we'll do it that way."
"There are alternatives and choices to abortion, such as placing your baby up for adoption or asking for help in raising your child," said Brad Straley, of Jacksonville For Life.
There were also pro-choice supporters downtown.
"I believe in a woman's right to choose what she can and cannot do with her own body, whether that is the use of birth control, whether that is aborting the baby or even keeping the baby," pro-choice supporter Tiffany Arnold said. "It's all up to her and no one else."
Several pro-life supporters said there will be many different groups from the Jacksonville area that will be heading to Washington D.C. on Friday to protest and let their voices be heard in the nation's capital.