'2010 - FREEDOM, Respektim laip God igivim'.

This was the message carried on the banner of this small group of pro-life activists who marched to speak out strongly against abortion during an awareness on 26th March in Aitape.

The march which started at Kumu Market and proceeded in to the town centre took the people by surprise as the talk of abortion through public awareness was not a norm.

School children from St. Anna Primary School were so curious about the whole event that they rushed towards the marchers to get a closer look at the images being carried on the posters.

The march known as the 'Walk Against Abortion' march is also part of a world event '40 Days for Life'. And other places in the world such as Sydney and Ireland were also conducting the march.

The march signified the end of the '40 Days for Life' event, where Christians who were involved in the work of pro-life around the world had during the Lenten period, done fasting and praying for those lives lost through abortion.

The march was an eye-opener for by-standers as well as those who took part. Many emotionally moved by the occassion and asked for it to become an annual event.

Aitape Police Station Commander, Michael Tilae commented that such awareness initiatives about issues affecting peoples' lives should be given more support and emphasized.

"I strongly support this awareness and I would like to see more similar marches especially in order to address such issues as drugs and alcohol abuse and violence," added Sergeant Tilae.

The march ended at St. Mary's Centre where a closing prayer and moment of reflection and devotion was held to remember all those innocent lives lost through abortion.

During this time, each participant placed a carved-out coconut crucifix, symbolizing 1, 000 of the aborted babies on a small sandy hill. This was followed by prayer, and a silent moment of reflection.