LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- An anti-abortion campaign continues in Little Rock as pro-life advocates pray for an end to abortion in the state of Arkansas.
It's a 40 day campaign that kicked off September 28 as part of the national 40 Days for Life movement.
Demonstrators have been maintaining a silent prayer vigil everyday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Family Planning Services in Little Rock.
Mary Pate, spokesperson for the local 40 Days for Life campaign, says this is not a protest but instead a peaceful attempt to change people's hearts and minds.
"There are many victims to abortion, it's not just the child," says Pate. "Women are hurt by abortion as well and we feel like that once women learn that there are alternatives to abortion when they are in a crisis sitution, they will make a better decision for themselves."
Today's THV also spoke with with Christina Mullinax, Regional Director at Mid-South National Organization for Women. Mullinax says this prayer vigil does not represent all the people of faith in Arkansas.
"National Organization for Women supports women's rights in all its forms and we feel that choice is a necessary right for women in this country," says Mullinax. "It's more than just choice versus life. To say we are anti-life is really a misnomer."
Mullinax says her group is fighting for comprehensive sex education for both men and women so they are fully prepared for all the choices they will be facing.
"We want people to be thinking about, not just the right to have an abortion, but what are our options," says Mullinax. "When we're talking about choice we're talking about sexual education, contraceptives, even the right to have proper medical care."
Education is also what pro-life supporters are pushing for. Pate says women need to be aware of the dangers of abortion.
"It's not a simple procedure and the pain doesn't end the day they leave the abortion clinic," says Pate. "There could be a lifetime of pain and regret and guilt."
Little Rock is among more than 300 other cities taking part in the 40 Days for Life movement. The prayer vigil will continue until November 6.
Little Rock NOW will be holding pro-choice rally in January to coincide with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision which struck down many state laws restricting abortion.