Pro-life groups in the Treasure Valley made their opinions on abortion publicly known Saturday by marching from Julia Davis Park to the Capitol steps.
The landmark, U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Roe versus Wade case was decided on Jan. 22, 1973.
Ever since, pro-life supporters have organized marches and rallies near the anniversary date across the U.S.
Decades after the Roe versus Wade decision, the effort on part of pro-life advocates continues to grow.
Calling it the "Silent War" in America, speakers at the rally sighted statistics. They said that in the U.S., every 30 seconds an abortion is carried out.
One of the speaker commented: "What defines us as a movement is what we are for. And, we are for life. We celebrate life."
At the same time, data coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, indicates there has been an overall, steady decline in the number of abortions in recent years. Rally speakers partly attributed that decline to new, 3D ultrasound machines.
Besides the new technology, pro-life advocates have a plan in place to help keep the trend going.
"We can do this by supporting pregnancy centers and alternatives to abortion and be educating our fellow citizens on the necessity of protecting vulnerable, human life," another speaker said.
Pat Babendure is a physical therapist in Eagle. She has worked with several women who have had an abortion and says they not only have emotional distress but even physical pains associated with the procedure.
"I've met so many people who regret it every day of their life, maybe from 30-40 years ago," she said. "It affects them every day, they're just in grief and sorrow. It's so hard for them to get over that."
The longtime advocate encourages pregnant women to seek out all options.
"I know that a lot of people are just not educated and they look to that because we don't have better alternatives for them. And, they do it out of fear," Babendure said. "I just would like other people to be aware and to know what is available... and that they have all these people standing behind them and ready to help them if they just know who to reach out to."
Those who back the Roe versus Wade verdict, of course, agree with the court's ruling. Pro-choice advocates believe women have the right to privacy in their decision to have an abortion.
