By John Tuttle, For the Observer
ROCKFORD—A whitewashed sky gave way to sunny blue as the morning wore on and pro-life advocates prepared for the fifth consecutive Rockford Walk for Life and Family, June 14, outside Rockford’s City Hall.
Begun in 2021 and organized by the Rockford Family Initiative, the event includes a rally and march, garnering the support and presence of several Christian denominations, including Catholics, Lutherans and Baptists. Kevin Rilott, one of the event’s organizers, estimated that attendees came from 30-40 area churches.
Marcher Christine Heinisch said prior to the event that the walk is a chance to “be a unified voice advocating for the inherent value of children in the womb.” She added, when Christians from different backgrounds come together, they actualize the prayer which our Lord Jesus made to our Father: “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (John 17:21).
The event attracted no single demographic. From newborns to people with walkers, the rally brimmed with families, friends and numerous pro-life groups. Participants could grab colorful balloons, shirts and signs. A child’s laugh occasionally floated through the crowd.
Danniel Pribble, another of the event’s organizers, spoke to those gathered about the recent closing of the abortion facility on Auburn Street, advising them, “Be encouraged. Your presence matters. Your prayers matter.”
Several priests were present, including Canon John O’Connor and Father John McNamara, spiritual director of the LiFE Office. Father McNamara offered the opening prayer while Jill Stanek, a nurse-turned-writer and pro-life advocate, was the guest speaker. Stanek, whose accolades include invitations from President George W. Bush to witness his signing of certain pro-life laws, spoke about the need for Christians to voice their beliefs and defend innocent lives. Paraphrasing Proverbs 24:11-12, she said, “Rescue those who have unjustly been sentenced to death. Don’t stand back and let them die … The Lord, who knows all hearts, knows you. And He will reward everyone according to his deeds.”
Many of those who came to the Walk for Life and Family have also attended previously, including Kalah Williams, who told The Observer that “it’s not good to stay hidden behind the scenes. You need to come forward and be seen.”
This was the third year for Ned Phillips, who drove over 30 minutes to be part of the event. “We’re exercising a right that we have in this country to make our … opinions known, and we can’t just cede the field to other voices,” he said. “It’s an excellent witness to … my Catholic faith.”
The pro-life march was not without public pushback. A Rockford area “No Kings” rally, part of a nationwide movement in opposition to President Donald Trump’s militaristic policies and approach to healthcare, gathered at Rockford’s City Market Pavilion at the same time as the Walk for Life. No Kings rallies also happened in other cities within the diocese, including DeKalb and Freeport. Some of the organizations represented at the “No Kings” demonstration in Rockford stand diametrically opposed to the pro-life message, such as Winnebago County Citizens for Choice.
As the Walk for Life and Family marched down East State Street and past the Market, the two groups inevitably encountered each other. Pro-lifers held signs and chanted. One outspoken “No Kings” demonstrator yelled at the group walking past that he loves babies too, and not just babies but children as well, alluding to Trump’s deportation of young immigrants.
After the march, Lutheran pastor Rev. Jonathan Fisk led the closing prayer, followed by the singing of “Amazing Grace” accompanied on
the bagpipes.
“We’re standing up for life and family,” Father McNamara told The Observer at the end of the event. “That’s close to my heart and close to everybody’s heart here. It’s a … truthful, peaceful, loving witness in the public square.”
John Tuttle is the Coordinator of Communications for the Life and Family Evangelization Office for the Diocese of Rockford.
