PHOTOS: Columbia 40 Days for Life Campaign kick-off rally, candlelight prayer vigil

About 60 people take part in a Sept. 22 kick-off rally and candlelight prayer service on the public right-of-way outside Planned Parenthood in Columbia, to mark the beginning of the Columbia 40 Days for Life Campaign, which continues through Sunday, Nov. 1. Now in its 12th year in Columbia, the twice-annual, nationally observed period of prayer, fasting and public witness to end abortion includes peaceful prayer vigils from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day on the sidewalk outside Planned Parenthood, 711 N. Providence Road. Abortions are no longer performed at the Columbia location, but people seeking abortions are given referrals there. For information or to volunteer to take part in the vigil, contact Kathy Forck at (573) 821-5130, or visit 40daysforlife.com/columbiamo. (48 photos)