About 200 join annual pro-life rally

COEUR d’ALENE — Richard Moate had a simple message he wanted to deliver as he stood along U.S. 95 Saturday morning.

The sign he was holding up for passing drivers to see said it all: “Love Life, Chose Life.”

Life, Moate said, is precious and as a type 1 diabetic for 58 years, he considers himself blessed to be alive.

“The Lord literally gives me life because type 1 diabetics are not supposed to make it that long," he said.

Moate came out for the annual Right to Life Commemorative March and Rally that started in the Skate Plaza parking lot at the corner of U.S. 95 and Dalton Avenue.

“I just feel like it’s out of reverence for our Lord,” Moate said of why it was important for him to be there. “He’s given me life and I want to see to it that other people get their chance, too.”

About 200 people came together on a cold and cloudy day to hear pro-life speakers, and then carry signs that read “Choose Life, “Honk for Life” and “God is Pro-life: Are you?” during a march to Kathleen Avenue and back with Knights of Columbus acting as escorts.

Some passing drivers waved and honked car horns to show their support.

The theme was “Together Strong: Life Unites," in conjunction with the national March for Life, which takes place around the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court case Jan. 22, 1973. The court ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects a pregnant woman's liberty to have an abortion.

The rally has occurred in Coeur d'Alene for more than 40 years. It was pushed beyond its normal January date because of COVID and permit issues.

Dr. Richard Hawk, director of Open Arms Real Choices Clinic in Coeur d’Alene, spoke of the sanctity of life.

Since the Roe v. Wade decision, Hawk said “62 million babies have been sacrificed on the altar of convenience.”

“If you’re here today, that means you’re involved, you’re pro life and sanctity of life is important to you,” he said.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the third Sunday of every January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. According to Life Matters Worldwide, “Churches around the United States use the day to celebrate God's gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage.”

Hawk said Open Arms is a “Christ-centered ministry” that has been in the community 21 years and expects to break ground soon on a new home in Hayden with an occupancy goal of 2022.

He asked if some there were ready to do more to fight for life.

“We like to say it’s about standing up and stepping in,” he said. “If you’re ready to step in today and get involved in a deeper way, then there’s opportunities for you to pray, opportunities to serve and opportunities to give.”

Pete Obligato came out for the rally to share a pro-life message.

“I think it’s something Christ wants us to proclaim to everyone. Life is important and he’s in control of life, not man,” he said.

Barbara Thatcher said she, too, was there to support life.

“We believe that life starts at conception,” she said.