Thousands of opponents of abortion rights gathered in the falling snow at the annual March for Life on Friday. Speakers at the event urged the impassioned crowd to capitalize on the movement’s recent victory in the Supreme Court and continue their efforts until abortion is eliminated.
Anti-abortion activists, carrying signs with messages like “Life is precious” and “I am the pro-life generation,” filled the National Mall months before a presidential election where abortion politics could play a significant role. Despite frigid temperatures, the crowd listened to speeches and later marched past the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court. A group stationed in front of the Court beat a drum and chanted: “Everyone you know was once an embryo.”
Amidst Snowfall in Washington, D.C., March for Life Protests Abortion (Credits: AXIOS)
This year’s March for Life marks the second such event in the nation’s capital since the June 2022 Supreme Court ruling that ended federal protection for abortion rights established in Roe v. Wade. Last year’s march celebrated the triumph, with organizers relishing the state-by-state legislative battles.
While speakers praised the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, they emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on lawmakers to advance abortion restrictions. Benjamin Watson, a former NFL player turned anti-abortion advocate, noted, “Roe is done, but we still live in a culture that knows not how to care for life.”
Despite adverse weather conditions affecting travel plans and making the event appear smaller than in previous years, the crowd remained enthusiastic. Speakers, including members of Congress and Michigan University Football Coach Jim Harbaugh, urged participants to persist until abortion becomes “unthinkable.”
The snowy setting added a unique atmosphere, with young people building snowmen and having snowball fights behind the stage. Attendees celebrated on a balcony of the Cannon House Office building near the Capitol.
Participants described overturning Roe v. Wade as a victory, but emphasized that the anti-abortion fight continues. Bishop Michael Burbidge, chair of the committee for pro-life activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, declared, “The key message this year is that our work is not done.”
The movement has experienced mixed results since the Dobbs ruling, with abortion lawmaking reverting to states. Fourteen states enforce bans on abortion throughout pregnancy, while others have bans on hold or taking effect around six weeks into pregnancy. Despite victories, abortion restrictions have faced setbacks at the ballot box in some states.
Organizers anticipate abortion rights becoming a major rallying cry in President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading the charge on the issue. As the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade approached, Harris planned an event in Wisconsin to highlight the fight to preserve abortion rights.
