Pro-life groups in communities across the Diocese of Peoria are organizing Life Chain events as visible signs of unity and to publicly and prayerfully witness against abortion.

During Life Chains, scheduled to take place at more than 1,400 locations across the United States and Canada, participants line a busy roadway and offer an hour of silent prayer on behalf of past and future victims of abortion as well as the nation. Most locations provide signs with phrases such as “Abortion Kills Children,” “Jesus Forgives and Heals,” or “Adoption: A Loving Option.”

Most Life Chains will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5, which is Respect Life Sunday. The public is invited to take part, and there is no registration required. For more information, visit LifeChain.net or call a local organizer.

Following is a list of community Life Chains made known to The Catholic Post. All are scheduled on Oct. 5 and last for one hour unless otherwise noted.

— Champaign, 2 p.m., Kirby Avenue at Hessel Park. Sign pick-up begins at 1:30 p.m.

— Farmer City, 2 p.m., Main Street at Route 54

— Galesburg, 1:45 p.m., at the downtown Public Square on Broad, Losey and Fremont streets. Signs will be distributed from the parking lot south of the armory building on North Broad Street. A rally is planned at 3 p.m., also at the Public Square.

— Macomb, 2 p.m., Route 136 and Route 67 between Lafayette and Randolph at Chandler Park

— Mansfield, 2 p.m., Highway 150 at McKinley St.,

— Mendota, 1 p.m., Route 34 at Highway 251

— Normal, 2 p.m., along East College Avenue beginning at the entrance to David Anderson Park and continuing east on both sides of the street. Contact Thomas Shilgalis, (309) 830-3935.

— Peoria, 2:30 p.m. on sidewalks along University Street from the city’s abortion clinic at 7405 N. University south to the Metro Centre. Signs will be distributed at the corner of University and Northmoor, near Richwoods High School and St. Vincent de Paul Parish, starting at about 2 p.m. Church groups are encouraged to sign up earlier to fill blocks along the route by calling Dan Smith at (309) 691-3611. This is the 25th year for the Peoria Life Chain.

— Princeton, 3 p.m., at Veterans Park (across from City Hall). For more information, call Rita Tracey, (309) 879-0308.

— Quad Cities, 2 p.m., at the intersection of Middle Road and Happy Joe Drive in Bettendorf, Iowa. Signs will be available at 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Women’s Choice Center, 2711 Happy Joe Drive.