The Pro-Life Generation united once again to make abortion unthinkable by supporting mothers outside abortion facilities nationwide during National Pro-Life Gen Sidewalk Day. This annual event, hosted by Students for Life of America (SFLA), invited pro-life students and community members to offer life-affirming messages and resources to abortion-minded mothers at ground zero of the abortion issue. Held this year on Saturday, Aug.10, this event was an invaluable experience for all involved.  

Sidewalk Day Success 

National Pro-Life Gen Sidewalk Day was a resounding success, with participants nationwide coming together to demonstrate compassion and advocacy for life. Armed with chalk and resources, our students and community members covered sidewalks with vibrant, pro-life messages and provided much-needed support to mothers considering abortion. The Pro-Life Generation not only came prepared with supplies but also showed up equipped to lovingly counsel women after receiving expert training from Lauren Muzyka, president and CEO of Sidewalk Advocates for Life.  

The event saw a significant turnout, with dedicated individuals stepping up to serve as Sidewalk Captains, who lead local activism at abortion facilities across the United States.  

Look at some highlights from the SFLA team below! 

Alicia Foreman, Carolinas Regional Coordinator, empowered a mother to turn around after entering Planned Parenthood in Chapel Hill, NC! 

While we were sidewalk counseling, we handed a Standing With You brochure and a Blessing Bag to a woman who passed by us on her way into the abortion facility. After a while, she walked back out and got into her car to leave. One member of our sidewalk team held a sign down at the end of the road that said, “Honk if you kept your baby,” and as the woman drove by, she honked! She headed to the Pregnancy Help Center (PHC) nearby. 

California and Nevada Regional Coordinator Gabriel Penner encountered a man whose son is a testament to the importance of the pro-life presence during a physician-pressured abortion. Penner recounted:  

“While we were on the sidewalk, a man drove by. He thanked us for being there and proceeded to tell us how he and his wife were pressured to abort their son when they initially couldn’t hear a heartbeat on the ultrasound. He said they stayed strong and prayed. As it turns out, they found a heartbeat at the next appointment. He then introduced us to the same son in the back seat, now a healthy 23-year-old.”  

Julia Sadik, the Pennsylvania regional coordinator, was struck by a heartwarming moment while outside the Allentown Planned Parenthood. This story indeed underscores the impact of pro-life sidewalk efforts. She said:  

During Sidewalk Day at Allentown Planned Parenthood, something truly touching happened. A woman approached us to thank us for our efforts. She shared that if it hadn’t been for the woman she had encountered outside Planned Parenthood in the past, her precious daughter, Jessy, wouldn’t be here today. She had been driving past for three weeks looking for that woman, and today, when she saw us, she decided to share her meaningful story!

Her heartfelt words of encouragement reminded us why we do this work. She asked us never to stop because we save lives. She then introduced us to her daughter and two sons, and we had a beautiful moment of prayer and hugs together. 

Pro-Abort Opposition 

Though Sidewalk Day events were generally free from the opposition, one SFLA staffer— Northeast Field Operations Coordinator Savannah Craven, faced several pro-abortion hecklers:

Our Brooklyn, NY, Sidewalk Counseling Day at Planned Parenthood started with a pro-abort barking in my face. About 10 people told us to go home and get a job and cursed at us while walking by. Another woman honked her horn while holding up traffic, telling us to go home for about five minutes straight, claiming that “women don’t need our help.” Two pro-aborts kept filming us and hurled personal insults at me regarding my appearance! None of this, however, deterred us from providing pro-life support on the sidewalk. We gave literature to almost every woman who walked in, which was amazing. I’d do it all again to be there for women and their babies!

We look forward to seeing you show up once again next year for Sidewalk Day! Thank you for all your dedication to helping mothers and their children.  

SFLA helps equip more than 1,400 pro-life student groups across the nation to empower mothers and save preborn children. If you still need to get involved in a group, email [email protected].   

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