By By Connie Nowlin Managing editor
Atmore will be the site for a life chain Sunday.
The event is a national one, and in most communities is sponsored by national right to life organizations.
Since there is no national group in Escambia County, Sav-a-life is going to sponsor the life chain. It is the only pro-life entity in the county, according to Save-A-Life board chairman Dennis Bilbo.
Participants in the event will gather a little before 2 p.m. Sunday in front of the First National Bank. Bilbo said there are usually about 50 people from Atmore that come out.
They will hold the chain for about an hour, with signs, and sing hymns and choruses. Those who wish to participate but are unable to stand for that length of time are welcome to bring lawn chairs to use.
Bilbo said that his organization is strictly there to help people in crisis pregnancy situations, and is not a political organization at all. It and its members never participate in illegal activities.
Bilbo believes that small organizations such as his help change the attitudes of America.
There will be chains in Brewton as well as Atmore, and this year for the first time, Flomaton.
The Brewton chain will gather in front of the old theater marquee on Highway 31 and Flomaton will be at the gas station at the intersection of highways 29 and 31.
Bilbo said that there is always a positive response to the life chain in Atmore, something he attributes to what he believes is a largely pro-life bent in town. He estimates more than 90 percent of the population of Escambia County is pro-life.
"We are here to extend a loving hand, a kind word, that really helps," he said. "It is what we all really need.
"This is a chance for those with pro-life convictions to come out and publicly display those beliefs."