Pro-Life rallies held in Cleveland, Gainesville

CLEVELAND - Pro-Life supporters fanned out around the downtown square in Cleveland Sunday afternoon to send a message to those driving by: that abortion kills children and that they support the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death.

The annual Life Chain observance attracted around 125 people in Cleveland.

A similar observance in Gainesville that same afternoon rallied roughly 200 people near the E.E. Butler Parkway and Jesse Jewell Parkway intersection, according to an organizer of the Gainesville demonstration, Wanda Freeman.

It was part of a nationwide effort, and the Cleveland event was organized by White County Life and Georgia Right to Life. White County Chapter leader for Georgia Right to Life Susan Hage said the turnout was great, with a good representation from the churches in the county.

Sonya Kassouf, a local Cleveland business leader, was also impressed with the turnout.

"The best life chain since I've been here in White County, the last 10 years," Kassouf said. "Everyone was in defiance against abortion, knowing that God loves all lives and all life has a purpose. "