Walk for Life participants experience first year after Roe V. Wade overturn

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The 1973 Supreme Court decision on Roe V. Wade inspired a yearly walk in Lincoln that took a monumental turn this year.

Being the first year of the walk since the decision was overturned the message turned to one that participants said was about remembering.

The Walk for Life event comes days before Legislative Bill 626, ‘The Nebraska Heartbeat Act’ will be voted on.

If passed the bill would ban abortions across that state after a heartbeat can be heard.

The walk began at the Capitol building with guest speakers from around the State including Govener Jim Pillen, Sentaor Pete Ricketts and sponsor of LB626 Senator Joni Albrecht.

The walk’s goal was to “commemorate the millions of lives lost to abortion in Nebraska.”

A balloon release marked the end of the speaking section of the program as members of the crowd began their walk to the Nebraska Union.

Paige Brown said walking meant working toward a future she sees fit for her child.

“Since having my son, I know I want to work even harder at creating a world that celebrates all life,” she said.

Brown wanted to use her voice in a way that spoke to mothers who are experiencing all levels of difficulty in pregnancy.

“As a mother who was well supported in her pregnancy even I had my nerves and doubts and that’s okay,” she said.

Brown said she was able to lean on a support system of loved ones to make it through.

“It felt good hearing the message that woman can do it, that women can push their struggles with support,” she said.

Today’s walk saw a lot of younger individuals taking part using social media as a means to push their message.

“Young people are the future,” Brown said. “They are taking hold of the new tools to bring fresh views to the movement.”

LB626 will be voted on in Wednesday, Feb. 1, legislation hearing at 1:30 p.m.