In his first year at the anti-abortion event, St. Michael Catholic Church Deacon Ken Lampert felt a bit uncomfortable holding a sign for an hour at one of Hall County's busiest intersections.
"It turned out to be a prayerful, spiritual experience," he said. "Now, every year, it's something I really look forward to."
Sunday marked the eighth time Lampert has participated in Life Chain, a nationwide annual event in which participants gather silently along roadways and other public place to protest abortion.
Dozens of people lined sidewalks at Jesse Jewell and E.E. Butler parkways bearing such signs as "Abortion kills children," "Mothers, save your baby's life" and "Lord, forgive us and our nation."
The event began in 1987 in California with 2,000 participants. In 2010, some 1,500 cities and towns held Life Chain events across the country, according to the Life Chain website.
Several area churches come together every year for the event in Gainesville. Many of Sunday's participants were from St. Michael, including members of the church's youth group, Life Teen.
Another St. Michael parishioner, Brian McGonigle of Gainesville, said Sunday was the fourth time he attended the event. He said believed it was important "to promote life and family in a Christian setting."
Lynn Hurley, who is Baptist, said she believed demonstrators were there "to show our support for life."
Hurley leads post-abortion Bible study classes at Gainesville Care Center, which helps women who are in a "crisis pregnancy situation." She also is a volunteer client assistant.
Hurley said women who have had abortions often feel "stifled by shame and guilt, but they can come to a place of healing in Jesus."
McGonigle agreed with Hurley.
"We're showing unity that Jesus is greater than any sin we can commit," he said. "... We're all standing here together for the same thing."
Richard Landy of Oakwood said the high number of abortions each year is "terribly sad."
"And one of the sad things ... is you never know if a genius is being aborted," he said.
Landy was OK with sacrificing a sunny Sunday afternoon for the event.
"I'm convinced it won't do any harm," he said.