Alex Swetz of Westmont, a student at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, is walking from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., for a cause he strongly believes in.
Swetz is participating in the Crossroads Pro-Life Walk, an annual pilgrimage that has young adults walking more than 12,000 miles and through 40 states.
There are four simultaneous pro-life walks across America from Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., and Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., where a pro-life rally will be held Aug. 11.
Swetz is the son of Robert Swetz and Barb Swetz, both of Westmont.
Last week, Swetz was in the fifth week of his trek, nearing Lubbock, Texas.
This is the first time the 19-year-old sophomore has participated in the walk.
“This is a cause I strongly believe in,” he said.
“The youth of America needs to show the rest of the world that death is not something we are going to stand up for.”
Swetz is the assistant walk leader for his team of 12, helping to coordinate their crosscountry trip.
He explained that the team is split into two groups of six, so there can be a day and night shift.
Each group takes five shifts a week, walking 30 miles each shift.
“Individually, we walk in pairs, with each person walking 15 to 20 miles a day,” Swetz said.
“I didn’t have any training for it. If you’re not in shape, it takes more time to get acclimated.”
The age range of walkers is from 18 to 30, with some rare exceptions, such as the older priest who is participating on Swetz’ team.
Swetz and his team were living out of a recreational vehicle until it broke down.
“We’re living day to day,” Swetz said.
“We don’t know where we will be staying or what will happen. It’s on the fly and sporadic. It’s too hard to plan because it will change.”
Walking isn’t the only thing the pro-life teams do to promote their cause.
On weekends, they have scheduled stops at bigger cities, where they speak at Roman Catholic churches and pray at abortion clinics.
“This is a large part of what we do,” Swetz said.
“We see what they’re doing in the churches and ask for donations. That’s how we’re funded. We’re nonprofit.”
Saturday mornings, the walkers usually go with a pro-life group in the area to visit an abortion clinic.
Because of different state laws, close contact is not allowed, but walkers have peaceful prayer and a nonconfrontational meeting.
“Everyone we’re meeting is amazing,” Swetz said.
“It’s been surprising the majority are supportive. This administration is pushing things on the country that most people don’t agree with.
“When we’re walking, people wave back, they’re not aggressive. They offer us rides, food and water. They support the pro-life movement.”
Crossroads was founded in 1995 by Steve Sanborn, a student at the Franciscan University, as a response to Pope John Paul II’s call to the youth of the world to take an active role in the pro-life movement in order to establish a culture of life.
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Alex Swetz, a student at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, is participating in the Crossroads Pro-Life Walk, an annual pilgrimage that has young adults walking more than 12,000 miles and through 40 states. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Pro-life pilgrimage | Westmont collegian walking across country for cause
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