Ottawa, Canada, May 16, 2009 / 08:16 am
An estimated 12,000 Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday to rally and march against legalized abortion in Canada.
The participants, part of the Canadian 2009 March for Life, included 18 Members of Parliament. Their numbers exceeded last year’s record-setting turnout of about 8,000.
Jim Hughes, president of the Campaign Life Coalition which organizes the march, said the turnout was "a real blessing," especially in the crowd’s "growing number of young people."
The March has taken place annually for 12 years, LifeSiteNews.com reports. Events began with interdenominational prayer services at the Canadian Reformed Church and St. George’s Anglican Church, while Masses were celebrated at Notre Dame Basilica and St. Patrick’s Basilica.