, Jul 11, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- For the twelfth summer in a row, three teams of college students from throughout America are walking along three separate paths across the country to promote the sanctity of life.  The students taking part in the walks, organized by pro-life group Crossroads, describe an America which is supportive of their mission.

The three groups began in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. They will all conclude Aug. 12 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Combined, the three walks will cover over 9,500 miles through 31 states, and encounter hundreds of thousands of Americans in churches - not to mention those they will meet on the roads.

“We have learned that a silent majority of Americans are very supportive of our message that human life at all stages should be welcomed and protected,” said walker Brendan Flannery of Steubenville, Ohio.

“Over the past 12 summers, Crossroads has spoken to millions of people at churches alone with the message that each human life is to be protected at every stage,” said Crossroads national director Martha Nolan.

Jaime Racki, 20, of Hinsdale, Illinois, has found the experience to be deeply fulfilling, despite the hardships. “After walking nearly two-thirds of America and encountering thousands of people, it is easy to say that majority of Americans are pro-life.”

“We see every day what even polls and abortion-rights advocates have begun to concede - that the majority of Americans oppose abortion on demand at a minimum,” said walker Megan Otten of St. Louis, Missouri. “Being pro-life can no longer be seriously characterized as the marginal belief.”

“Much of the cultural and moral dialogue has spilled over into the political sphere, which is not our focus, frankly,” added Nolan. “If Roe v Wade were overturned tomorrow, the culture would still require countless years of healing. In the end, this is not a political matter, it is cultural and moral.” 

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