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Published: November 24, 2009

“Those who have had experiences such as hers are often our strongest voices”

Abby Johnson, who resigned in horror from Texas Planned Parenthood center, scheduled to speak at 2010 Walk For Life West Coast

Abby Johnson, the former director of the Planned Parenthood abortion business in Bryan, TX, will be one of the featured speakers at the Sixth Annual Walk for Life West Coast. The Walk will take place on January 23, 2010 in San Francisco.

Johnson made national news when she left her position after watching an ultrasound of a baby being aborted. "I just thought, 'What am I doing?’” Johnson told ABC News. “And then I thought, 'Never again.' Two weeks later, Johnson quit. ‘I looked out the window and saw a couple of women praying and I thought, 'That's where I need to go,'" Johnson said.

According to Fox News, “She became disillusioned with her job after her bosses pressured her for months to increase profits by performing more and more abortions, which cost patients between $505 and $695. ‘Every meeting that we had was, 'We don't have enough money, we don't have enough money -- we've got to keep these abortions coming… It's a very lucrative business and that's why they want to increase numbers.’"

Eva Muntean, co-founder of the Walk told California Catholic Daily, “I’m delighted that Abby will be able to join us, has joined us… I think her story has moved everyone across the country. We will win one heart at a time, and those who have had experiences such as hers are often our strongest voices.”

San Francisco’s Walk for Life West Coast began in 2005 with 5,000 peaceful pro-life advocates marching under the banner “Abortion Hurts Women.” The march has quickly turned into the largest annual gathering of pro-lifers on the West Coast and one of the largest annual marches in San Francisco. Last year’s event drew 32,500 people. The Walk follows one of the most scenic routes in the country, beginning at San Francisco’s Ferry Building, then proceeds along the waterfront to end by the bay at Crissy Field.

Last year, four Catholic bishops (Salvatore Cordileone of Oakland, William Justice of San Francisco, Rutilio del Riego of San Bernardino, and Jaime Soto of Sacramento) attended. In addition to Johnson, other guests will include Rev. Clenard Childress, Northeast Regional Director of L.E.A.R.N.; Pastor Jim Garlow of the Skyline Church in La Mesa; pro-life hero Rev. Walter Hoye, who went to jail rather than obey Oakland’s ‘bubble ordinance’ outside abortion centers; and Lila Rose of Live Action, whose exposes of Planned Parenthoods have received national attention.

David Bereit, National Director of “40 Days For Life,” will receive the Walk For Life’s annual “Saint Gianna Molla” award, given to those who have shown a special dedication to building the culture of life.

To see a video presentation of the 2009 Walk for Life, Click Here.

To see a video presentation of the 2008 Walk for Life, Click Here.

© California Catholic Daily 2009. All Rights Reserved.