Friday, January 19, 2018 was the 45th annual March for Life in Washington D.C., and it was a day to remember. Marching in solidarity, hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers from all across the United States rallied at the nation’s capital, as they have done every year since the Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973.
On this day, they celebrated the beauty of all human life, marched in commemoration of the innocent unborn lives lost, and called for an end to the greatest human rights violation of our time: abortion.
But this special day made the history books…and here’s why.
These were the 3 Big Highlights of the 45th annual March for Life:
President Trump Addresses the March
It was the first time in history that a President of the United States addressed the March for Life via live stream, and he did so from the Rose Garden in Washington D.C. He recounted the progress made this past year, including the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, his commitment to signing the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (which he urged the Senate to do), and just recently the creation of a new division of the HHS that will protect the conscience rights of health care workers. His landmark words to the crowd were:
“And most importantly of all, it is the gift of life itself,” he said in his final remarks. “That it is why we march. That is why we pray. And that is why we declare that America’s future will be filled with goodness, peace, joy, dignity, and life for every child of God. Thank you to the March for Life – special, special people – and we are with you all the way. May God bless you and may God bless America.”
Vice President Mike Pence also addressed the March for the second time, saying:
“45 years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States turned its back on the inalienable right to life. But in that moment, our movement began. A movement that continues to win hearts and minds. A movement defined by generosity, compassion and love…Life is winning in America.”
The Speaker of the House and our Pro-life Congressmen
As Jeanne Manchini, President of the March for Life, stated, we have several great pro-life leaders working hard in our federal government. This Congress is considered the most pro-life Congress in a generation. That being said, several of our pro-life Congressmen and Congresswomen proudly joined the stage.
And that’s when their leader, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, approached the podium to speak to the crowd. This was the first time in history for the Speaker of the House to address the March for Life.
Among the many words of encouragement and joy he had to share, he made this gleaming remark:
“Truth is on our side. Life begins at conception. Science is on our side.”
And above all,
“We have love on our side.”
“Love Saves Lives”
That was the theme of the March, and it couldn’t be a better choice. Love does save lives. We see it and experience it every day here at Illinois Right to Life. As pro-lifers, we love them both – mom and baby. It is love that heals the pain and suffering after abortion. It is love that helps a worried mother overcome her fears, see that abortion is not the solution, and choose the loving option of life for her son or daughter. And as the President of the United States said:
“The March for Life is a movement born out of love. You love your families. You love your neighbors. You love our nation and you love every child born and unborn because you believe that every life is sacred, that every child is a precious gift from God.”
Photo Credit: The March for Life
