The Erie March for Life will mark the 41st anniversary (January 22) of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which struck down the abortion laws of all 50 states and allowed unborn children to be killed in the womb for any reason at any time during pregnancy.

Everyone who is able to walk is strongly encouraged to do so, but those who would have difficulty walking the distance are encouraged to ride in the motorcade, which will follow the marchers.

The March will get underway from Perry Square in downtown Erie at 11 a.m.

Parade marshals will begin staging the vehicles for the motorcade at 10:30 a.m. The vehicles will line up on the south side of Perry Square along South Park Row.

Marchers should assemble at the Gazebo in Perry Square by 10:45 a.m. Parking will be available in the parking garage between 7th and 8th Sts. on Peach St. and possibly in the lots just east of Perry Square on French St.

At 11:00 a.m., the March will proceed west on W. 6th St., south on Sassafras, east on W. 10th St., and north on State St. back to Perry Square, where there will be a brief, Interfaith Memorial Service at the Gazebo.

The Memorial Service will remember the more than 56 million lives lost to abortion in the United States since 1973, as well as the countless women who have suffered abortion-related physical and emotional trauma and all the others, including fathers and entire families, who have been touched by the tragedy of abortion. It will conclude by 12:15 p.m.

The memorial service will be conducted by:

Rev. Fr. Michael C. Polinek, Parochial Vicar at St. George Church, Erie

Rev. Rick Plucknett, Associate Pastor at the Federated Church, East Springfield