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Fallbrook 'life chain' to take place Jan. 21
By: TOM PFINGSTEN - Staff Writer | ∞
FALLBROOK ---- A rally later this month is expected to draw at least 100 local residents to downtown Fallbrook, where they will mark the 34th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision with signs protesting abortion, organizers said.
Known as a "Life Chain," Jan. 21 will mark the 11th year that pro-life advocates have gathered in Fallbrook for such an event, said organizer Phyllis Sweeney.
"Oftentimes, people don't realize that we are aware or conscious of life issues," Sweeney said Friday, referring to the community of pro-life advocates in Fallbrook, where she said many are surprised to learn there is an operational woman's resource center.
She said the event is focused on abortion, but includes other issues. "We talk about euthanasia, stem cell research, disabilities."
The life chain begins at 2 p.m., but participants are welcome to attend as early as noon for the preceding "Life Fair," Sweeney said. There will also be a time for prayer and testimony beginning at 1 p.m., and pizza and water are donated by local businesses.
Sweeney said she has to get permits from the county every year to put on the life chain, and that in the history of the event there have been no confrontations.
This year, participants will stand along Mission Road between Fig Street and Ammunition Road, holding signs and passing out fliers. They may not block the sidewalk or street, Sweeney said, and may not distribute materials on the premises of the Fallbrook Post Office, which is located along the route.
This year's gathering will also feature an informational time with guest speaker Debi Faris-Cifelli, who founded Garden of Angels, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping newborn infants and their mothers.
Sweeney said she first got the idea of starting an annual life chain event in Fallbrook more than a decade ago.
"My children and I used to go down to San Diego and participate" in a life chain there, she said. "The last time we were down there standing for the life chain on Friar's Road, I thought, 'Why shouldn't we be doing this in Fallbrook?' "
In addition to the other parts of the event, Sweeney has asked downtown churches with bells to ring them 34 times at 1 p.m. ---- once for every year abortion has been legal in the U.S.
Contact staff writer Tom Pfingsten at (760) 731-5799 or tpfingsten@nctimes.com.
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