Despite cold temperatures and bad weather in Washington, D.C., tens of thousands of people turned out in force Friday to participate in the 51st March for Life and defend the rights of the unborn.
The annual event kicked off on the National Mall, where meaningful speeches were given on the importance of valuing and protecting the lives of women and children. Some of those who spoke in front of the crowd to raise awareness about the importance of the event were: House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, House Pro-Life Caucus Chairman Chris Smith, and other prominent personalities in the pro-life movement.
Former NFL player and anti-abortion activist Benjamin Watson was among those who spoke at the event. "Roe is over, but we still live in a culture that doesn't know how to care for life (...) the factors that drive women to seek abortions are becoming more and more evident and greater and greater. Roe is over, but abortion is still legal and thriving in much of the United States," he said.
After the speeches, the crowd began a peaceful march to the Capitol and the Supreme Court to get the attention of legislators, judges and politicians and to defend the right to life and raise awareness that abortion should not be a solution. Voz Media was present to cover the important march and interview attendees.
"Pro-choice that's a lie, babies never choose to die!"
A group of pro-lifer's at the March for Life. #WhyWeMarch #ewtnprolife pic.twitter.com/kgtMMfBxzA
— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) January 19, 2024
A shocking testimony about abortion
Voz Media managed to interview a woman present at the event whose life was marked by abortion. "[Having an abortion] really scarred me emotionally. The traumas are real (...) I think about it every day," she said, adding that she has had suicidal thoughts since she made the decision.
The woman also took the opportunity to warn that when the decision to abort is made, not only mental but also physical damage is suffered, and recounted that, despite her efforts, she has been unable to have children.
#WATCH | Attendee at the #MarchForLife tells her testimony after having an abortion, explains why she regrets it and warns other women of the harmful consequences of an abortion procedure. pic.twitter.com/JS8p7rc7zw
— VOZ (@Voz_US) January 19, 2024
People from all over the country came to march
The march was not only attended by local residents, but hundreds of people from other states traveled to Washington, D.C. Among them were seventh graders from St. Michael's School in Lowell, Massachusetts, and 500 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Boston.
An important march in the run-up to the elections
This pro-life event takes on special relevance in the context of the upcoming presidential election, where abortion policy looms as a key issue.
Polls show that a majority of Americans support imposing restrictions on abortion. In fact, according to a recent Knights of Columbus-Marist and Marist Poll, 66% of respondents support imposing legal limits on abortion, with an emphasis on exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
The poll also reveals that nearly six in ten Americans support limiting abortions to the first three months of pregnancy. Nine percent say they should not be allowed under any circumstances, another nine percent say only in cases of saving the mother's life, and 22 percent also include incest and rape in that exception.
