As motorists drove through Tryon on a sunny Sunday afternoon they were greeted with a chain of protestors lining N. Trade Street.

The protestors, members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, gathered from 2-3 p.m. Oct. 21. Father John Eckert said parishioners came out to “witness for life” and speak against abortion.

“We came out to show that we need to be out in the world standing up for the most defenseless,” said Eckert.

A total of 52 church members stood along the main thoroughfare holding signs that proclaimed, “Life is the first inalienable right” and “Abortion hurts women.”

Eckert said the effort was in connection with a national event held Oct. 7 called The Life Chain. This national event encourages people around the country to hold peaceful protests against abortion in their communities, Eckert said. He added that this was the first time the church held a protest in Tryon.

Not all Tryonites were in favor of the event however.

Tryon House owner Mary Prioleau said the protest caused shoppers to leave her store because protestors were standing near the door with signs.

Protestors started out lining the street on both sides from Skyuka Fine Art down to the old St. Luke’s Thrift Store building. They slowly moved in front of the Tryon clock tower as they wound the protest down to pray.

Eckert told the church’s parishioners that their gathering almost brought him to tears because he was touched by the number of them that came out to participate.