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Hundreds take a stand against abortion at annual Arkansas March for Life

by Mandy Hrach

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) -- The March for Life began in Washington, D.C. as a small demonstration and rapidly grew to be the largest pro-life event in the world.

Here at home, hundreds of Arkansans showed up at the state capitol to share the same message.

"I just feel that the truth needs to be spoken about how damaging abortion is," pro-life advocate Courtney Beck said.

Beck was a teenager when she had an abortion by judicial bypass, an order from a court judge allowing her to get an abortion without consent from her parents.

"For many years, I feel like I lost my life to shame and regret and depression," she said. "I didn’t see any way out of it."

Many women at the march share similar experiences.

"There's been over 60 million babies since 1973 that’s been killed, which means there’s been that many moms that's been hurting," founder of Options Pregnancy Center Vikki Parker said.

The march began around the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade supreme court decision, legalizing a woman's right to an abortion.

Lt. governor Tim Griffin was among those in the crowd. He says now is a time for change.

"This is a situation where the innocent unborn can’t speak for themselves, and so we have to be a voice for them," he said.

For those like beck, she says she's using her experience to help other women and inspire them to choose life.

"I just know there’s healing to be had," she said. "If there’s anything I can do to help a woman see the truth when there's an unplanned pregnancy, I want to do that."

Those with Arkansas Right for Life say going into the new year, they are actively spreading word about the Abortion Pill RescuePprogram.

The program offers reversal treatment for those women who choose medical abortion, then change their mind before completing the process.

Sunday was the 41st year for the annual march in Little Rock.