Joe Imel/Daily News About 80 people from Barren River Right to Life gathered Sunday between Smallhouse and Scottsville roads to take part in Life Chain 2008 to protest abortion.

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The signs held by people along Campbell Lane - “Pray to End Abortion” and “Abortion Hurts Women” among others - slowed traffic early Sunday afternoon and sent a clear message.

About 80 people from Barren River Right to Life, consisting of people from several churches, gathered yesterday to take part in Life Chain 2008 to protest abortion.

Lined up along Campbell Lane between Smallhouse Road and Scottsville Road, activists held signs opposing abortion and supporting adoption.

“We’re just taking a stand for life, and this is something we can do to make a difference,” said Sarah Fricks, who, along with Tom Parrott, co-chaired the local Life Chain.

Bowling Green was one of eight Kentucky cities and more than 1,300 in the U.S. and Canada to take part in a life chain.

National Life Chain has organized this event for 21 years, working with local organizations to hold events in several cities.

The event was conceived as a peaceful protest against abortion and an hour of prayer in a heavily trafficked section of a particular city.

During the hour that the group stood outside holding signs yesterday, several passing cars honked their horns, and a passenger in at least one passing vehicle yelled “pro-choice” to a few members.

The Bowling Green Life Chain has been happening for at least the past five years, according to many of the people who gathered yesterday.

“We believe that life is sacred from the time of conception, and I’m a witness to what I believe,” said Steve Hussung, pastor at Rich Pond Baptist Church. “I’m not very political, but that’s one issue that I take a stand on.”

The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which ruled that most laws against abortion violated a constitutional right to privacy, has been the issue around which abortion opponents have coalesced, many of them looking to overturn the federal ruling.

Kentucky is one of a handful of states with a so-called “trigger law” that would ban abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

Joining the group yesterday was state Sen. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, who is running against state Sen. David Boswell, D-Owensboro, for the open District 2 federal congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Cecilia.

Guthrie said he has participated in past life chains. This year he held a sign reading “Life - The First Inalienable Right.”

In an election year marked by economic issues, Guthrie said he attended the life chain because it is important to also focus on that issue as well.

“I know there are a lot of issues on people’s minds and a lot of concerns with the economy, fuel prices and the war, but I think we also need to focus on basic inalienable rights,” Guthrie said. “I think it’s important to show support for the right to life that was first noted in the Declaration of Independence.”

Fricks said local activists have been encouraged by the political ascension of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to becoming the Republican vice-presidential nominee.

Palin has stated that she believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned. She gave birth earlier this year to a child diagnosed before birth with Down syndrome and her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is six months pregnant and intends to marry the father of her child.

“We heard a lot of positive feedback when Gov. Palin was chosen,” Fricks said. “We’re encouraged that supporting the sanctity of life is not just her stance, but that it’s apparent in her practices in her own family.”