KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) On the grounds of True Vine Baptist Church the Pro-life Freedom Riders gathered to spread their word.
"We have people here who've had abortions who share their testimony of pain and healing and then also preparing for our national elections by urging people to vote, informing them about the candidates and their positions," said Father Frank Pavone.
Dr. Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, was a key note speaker and shared why the issue was so close to her now.
"I do have a dream it's in my genes. My daddy King, Martin Luther King Sr. When my mama wanted to abort me in 1950 he said baby that's not a lump of flesh," said King.
For a half an hour the group prayed silently in protest of the Planned Parenthood on North Cherry Street.
"It's accompanied by simultaneous activity throughout the country. People in about 1000 cities are declaring themselves to be freedom riders for the unborn and they're doing activities similar to what we're doing here," said Pavone.
The Freedom Ride caravan drew crowds from all over East Tennessee,
"Where the civil rights movement has progressed in the past and has overcome a lot of adversity and opposition, or oppression I should say we're now trying to do the same thing within the pro-life movement," said Ashley Colantono.
And included people of all ages.
"People that are younger feel pressured into abortion and feel like that's their only option because they don't feel like they can support. But they don't realize they have so many more choices," said Student Hillary Lawrence.