Reclaim: Fruitful street session reminds us why we continue fighting for life

Another week brought more meaningful conversations as we stood our ground on O'Connell Street, holding vibrant, eye-catching posters that highlighted the humanity of the unborn child. The posters sparked curiosity, and with them came a steady stream of people—some with genuine questions, others with strong opinions they simply wanted to voice. Every encounter was a reminder of why we continue to show up.

One of the highlights of the day was right at the end when a woman visiting all the way from Australia approached us. Her face lit up as she saw us, clearly moved to see us standing up for life. A proud mother of eight, she spoke of every child as a unique gift from God. Her warmth and encouragement were a beautiful way to close out the afternoon—it felt like a little blessing after a day of standing, speaking, and listening.

Throughout the session, we encountered people from all walks of life, but one conversation in particular has stayed with me. A group of teenage boys—likely no older than sixteen—caught sight of our posters and, instead of walking past with a scoff or snide remark like many teens tend to do, they stopped. We asked them what they thought about abortion as they glanced at the posters they began to share their thoughts.

At first, their answers reflected what society often echoes: that while they believed the unborn child is a human being, exceptions like rape might justify abortion. I didn’t say much—just calmly explained what abortion actually entails and gently suggested more compassionate options for women who’ve endured trauma. As we continued the conversation, I asked a few more thoughtful questions, encouraging them to consider both the mother and the child. You could see it happen—the quiet moment when something clicks. The gears turning. One by one, their opinions began to shift, and by the end, they agreed: even in the hardest cases, abortion isn't the answer. Watching their minds open and perspectives change right before my eyes was nothing short of inspiring.

Another moment that stood out was meeting parents of large families. One father of twelve children stopped to thank us, visibly moved by our presence. Their encouragement was like fuel—evidence that what we’re doing matters, not just to the curious passerby, but to those who’ve lived the value of life every day in their homes.

All in all, it was a deeply fruitful day. The street was alive with conversations—some simple, some profound—but each one a small seed planted. And as always, we left knowing we had made a difference, however quiet or small it may seem.