By Anne Marie Coar
Staff Writer
On Tuesday, January 22, thousands of pro-life advocates participated in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. This date marked the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in the Roe v. Wade case, which legalized abortion in the United States.
Several Marywood students, many of whom belong to the Students Organized to Uphold Life club, also participated in the march, along with Pennsylvanians for Human Life.
“I feel that it is an uplifting experience. It is amazing to see such a display of faith in God and love for the unborn,” writes junior Krystle Powell, treasurer of S.O.U.L. This was her second year participating in the march.
“Walking up the Capitol Hill, which is the last leg of the march, so to speak, is the most uplifting. At the bottom of the hill there are marchers as far as you can see, then once you get to the top and look down, there are marchers as far as you can see too. It is amazing to know that you are not alone in your fight for life.”
Krystle also noted the diversity among the participants in the March for Life: “At the pro-life rally before the march, there were many different speakers, from Jewish rabbis, to Orthodox Christians, to Baptist ministers, to Ron Paul, a republican presidential candidate, even a phone call from President Bush. There were people from all states, races, sexes, and religious denominations. It is definitely worth it to go and participate in it. I would consider it one of the best experiences of my life.”
According to The Washington Times, around a dozen speakers spoke at the two- hour rally on the Mall. Several members of Congress, including presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul, a Republican from Texas, also addressed the crowd. Mr. Paul talked about his time as an obstetrician, during which he delivered over 4,000 babies. Prerecorded comments from President Bush were also played.
After the rally, the crowd marched to the Supreme Court steps. Some held signs with slogans such as “Defend Life” and “The Natural Choice is Life!” Men and women spoke about the effects abortion had on their lives, the Times also reported. After the march, some demonstrators met with representatives and senators on Capital Hill.
According to its website, approximately 30 pro-life leaders who wanted to remember the day that overturned laws against abortion and to petition Congress to redress the issue started the March for Life. They formed a committee and started planning the first March for Life, which occurred on January 22, 1974. Around 20,000 people were estimated to have participated in the event. Since then, marchers have increased dramatically in number. Marches from the years 2003 to 2006 have had around 200,000 participants.