MENIFEE -- More than 60 demonstrators ringed the intersection of Newport and Murrieta roads Saturday, hoisting signs in protest of legal abortion.

The peaceful rally was organized by the Pro-Life Ministry at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Sun City.

The group has held semi-annual demonstrations for five years, said Menifee resident Sharon Fullilove, a co-organizer of the event. This year, they plan to do four, she said.

Group members hit the streets in January and October, she said, to coincide with the Catholic Church's "Sanctity of Life Month" in January and a "Sanctity of Life Sunday" designation in October. Also, Jan. 22 marks the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in all states.

Saturday afternoon, demonstrators of all ages stood at the busy corner, getting honks and waves of encouragement from drivers. One participant said they usually get one or two discouraging signals or remarks, but got only positive responses Saturday.

Melissa Hernandez, 19, of Menifee stood along Newport Road with her parents and 17-year-old sister, Monique, while holding her 11-month-old son, Adrian.

"If you make a baby, you should take care of it, or at least let someone else," she said.

Earlier Saturday, 10 members held a prayer session in front of a San Bernardino clinic, Family Planning Associates, which is something they do every month, Fullilove said.

Last year, the group gave out 254 gift bags to women who stopped to talk to them at the clinic and later decided not to have an abortion, she said. The bags contain handmade blankets and other baby gear.

"God does it all," Fullilove said. "And I'm happy to see so many young people out here today. It's a good turnout."

Joe Martina, 77, of Sun City, stood at the corner Saturday behind a five-foot sign with a baby's face and the word "Life" at the top.

Martina said he lost a son in a car accident some years ago, which led him to work in the anti-abortion movement to prevent the death of children. He has held vigil at Family Planning Associations in San Bernardino three times each week for 21 years, he said.

"I know the loss and I know some women, not all, will suffer from the loss (if they have an abortion)," he said. "And it will be knowledge that comes too late.

"There are so many resources to help if someone wants to keep their baby."

Travis Edwards, 18, of Temecula, was working as a sign twirler near the demonstrators and said he thought it was good they were out expressing their opinion. He said he has not solidified his opinion on abortion, but says he doesn't think he would be for it.

"I wouldn't want to kill something," he said. "That's not cool."

Jim Duke, 72, of Sun City, a former long-haul trucker, helped organize the demonstration. A straight-talker, Duke says he volunteers with the ministry to stop what he believes is an act of murder.

"'Pro-choice' is such a silly word," he said. "The woman is the only one who has the choice. They should call it what it is."

Contact staff writer Cathy Redfern at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or credfern@californian.com.