COEUR d'ALENE — Wendy Walter left no doubt as to why she joined the Life Coeur d’Alene Commemorative March and Rally on Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.

"I believe very strongly in the life of children," the Spirit Lake woman said.

But it's not her opinion that counts, she added as she walked along U.S. 95 holding a pro-life sign.

"It doesn’t matter what I say or I believe," Walter said. "God is the one who says life is important, and it starts in the womb."

Lynn Adams of Coeur d'Alene was equally clear about why she came out for the 44th year of the march and rally hosted by Right to Life of Coeur d'Alene.

"I’m here to support my viewpoint that God is pro-life," she said.

About 200 people participated in the rally held in conjunction with national Right to Life events. They were greeted with surprisingly sunny and blue skies on a 30-degree morning.

Young and old gathered in the parking lot near Candlelight Christian Fellowship to hear from guest speakers before crossing U.S. 95 and walking to Kathleen Avenue and back.

Many passersby honked horns and the pro-lifers happily waved in response.

David Murley of Hayden was among them. He wore a cap that read "God Bless America" and held a sign that read, "It's a child, not a choice."

He said since he was married 45 years ago and his wife later had their first child, he's taken the position that he will do what he can to protect the rights of the unborn.

"The life of a child is sacred," he said.

Richard Hawk, executive director of Open Arms Real Choices Clinic, which has an office in Hayden, said it is growing.

Since 2019, the clinic has seen an 82% increase in people coming through its doors; pregnancy tests are up 28% and ultrasounds are up 63% over two years; it had 400 first-time donors last year and volunteer hours totaled 5,600, an 81% increase since 2020.

He said while the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion was overturned in June, the battle is not over.

"While we celebrate the lives that have been saved in these last six months across the country, we are starting a journey to fully protect life federally and in every state," Hawk said.

He said when it comes to the right to have an abortion, America is split down the middle, "half for life, half for death."

"It seems the devil is working overtime to deep seed this culture of death across our country," Hawk said.

He urged those present not to give up and said the efforts of pro-lifers are making a difference. In 1978, there were nearly 2,800 abortion facilities in the nation. In 2020, there were 780. Abortion is now illegal in Idaho.

"It’s my prayer that history will show that life indeed wins," Hawk said.

Pro-lifer Mary Pat Lyons said she has five children.

"It can be challenging at times being a parent. I say it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had and the most rewarding," she said,

Lyons said centers like Open Arms are there for women who need help.

"They become family," she said.

Shannon Kline of Hayden, who delivered a healthy baby boy, Josh, a decade ago, despite medical challenges during her pregnancy, also spoke.

"Let's be kind to families or individuals who are struggling," she said. "And let’s save lives with our love that looks like Jesus' love.”