Equality attained from the start
Thousands of people gather at Washington, D.C and other cities across the country to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. March For Life is an annual event that happens all over the United States and Canada to peacefully try to end abortion.
Every January since the 1973 Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade, many people have come to Washington to march for the rights of unborn children. Activist Nellie Gray started the march one year after the case Roe v. Wade had a 7-2 vote which made abortion legal.
This year was the 49th March for Life, where thousands of people came from all over the United States to join together and march. The march began at the National Mall and went to the Supreme Court, making the walk 1.7 miles.
Every year the march has a different theme, with 2022’s being “Equality starts in the Womb,” which shows that all people are equal in rights and dignity from conception.
Typically, before a march starts, marchers have the opportunity to hear inspirational stories from pro-life speakers. This year at the march, the speakers included Kirk Cameron, Julia Letlow, Toni McFadden, Lisa Robertson, Father Mike Schmitz, Katie Shaw, Chris Smith, George Schuberg, Kristen Waggoner, Rachel Young and many congressmen and congresswomen.
These speakers shared why the March for Life is important to them, and hearing their stories was truly moving for many. Toni McFadden is a woman who when she was sixteen found herself pregnant with no one to help her. She ended up getting an abortion and her boyfriend at the time left her. After getting the abortion, she regretteded it, and her boyfriend came back to her. They ended up getting married and honored their baby at their wedding.
The couple now has four children and they are part of the pro-life movement because of their experience. For McFadden, being able to participate in this march was an incredible experience. She said, “If we are going to have true equality for everyone, we have to start that equality in the womb no matter what.”
In addition to McFadden, Father Mike Schmitz spoke about how “every life matters.” He said, “You matter, you belong here. No matter what your past is, you are still loved. You need to know this. You are still loved and you still matter.” This message inspired many who were in attendance at the march.
Many people are working alongside each other despite their different backgrounds. One thing obtained from the march is that if people are truly going to end abortion, people need to be able to put aside differences and work together for a common goal.
One participant, who wanted to remain anonymous, stated that the march “made me think about how I can work to act upon my pro-life beliefs in my everyday life.” Another participant said, “the march was the beginning for me to start acting out my beliefs in everyday life and not just at big events like this.”
March for Life is a huge event that thousands participate in and support every year. People learn how to stand up for a cause in a peaceful manner and how to truly live a pro-life lifestyle.
As the march began Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, said, “Americans everywhere know that unborn children deserve equal rights and protection under the law. We expect this year’s March for Life to be historic with even higher levels of enthusiasm from participants. We are hopeful that, with Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization before the Supreme Court, 2022 will bring us much closer to building the culture of life we have all marched for since Roe v. Wade was tragically imposed on our nation nearly 50 years ago.”
