The annual LifeWalk in Santa Maria, an event dedicated to celebrating and protecting life from its earliest stages in the womb, is moving to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 23, starting at City Hall, according Right to Life of the Central Coast, sponsor of the walk.

“We changed the walk from January to June this year to be near the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling on June 24, 2022, which returned decisions on the legality of abortion to the states,” said Jon Lindgren, head of Right to Life of the Central Coast.

“LifeWalk gives people a chance to stand up and march for life from its inception,” Lindgren said.

The Santa Maria event takes place during National Celebrate Life Weekend, June 21-23.

“We are inviting LifeWalk marchers to wear our theme colors of red, white and blue this election year to emphasize the importance of life-affirming citizens electing life-affirming candidates from president on down the ballot,” he said.

The opening program will include prayers and comments from local pastors and community leaders and worship songs.

Walkers will then follow a half-mile route to a gathering area across Chapel Street from the Planned Parenthood center. Additional songs, prayers, and closing comments will take place.

Participants are invited to a reception at the CareNet Pregnancy & Resource Center, 201 S. Miller, Ste. 102. CareNet provides pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, prenatal and parental counseling, baby and maternal supplies, and support for those who have had abortions. All services are free of charge.