Speakers emphasize support for women and children
Taking the stage at a rally on the National Mall immediately before the march began, keynote speakers strongly leaned into this year’s theme of “With Every Woman, For Every Child” by promoting the lifesaving work of nearly 3,000 pro-life pregnancy centers across the country.
Jean-Marie Davis, executive director of Branches Pregnancy Resource Center in Vermont, told the crowds about how scared and alone she felt when she discovered she was pregnant with her now 8-year-old son, Jonah. A survivor of human trafficking who spent more than 25 years being bought and sold, Davis sought help at a pregnancy resource center in New Hampshire where a woman befriended and assisted her. Throughout Davis’ pregnancy and the birth of her son, her friend introduced her to Christ.
Now, as executive director of the pregnancy center, Davis helps numerous women and fathers in Vermont who are in a similar situation she once was in. Following her speech, Davis later cheered on her fellow pro-life activists near the U.S. Supreme Court, where the march finished.
“[The turnout] is amazing,” Davis told CNA. “There’s so many generations that are marching for life.”
“It shows that we’re dedicated,” Davis said. “We will do life with the unborn [regardless of the weather].”
Following Davis on the podium was Aisha Taylor, who told her story about how she became pregnant unexpectedly with twins. Desperate, she picked up the phone to schedule a procedure at an abortion provider.
“Thank God, they did not answer the phone. I never made the appointment,” she said.
“But do you know who did answer the phone when I needed them? My local pregnancy center,” she continued, to cheers. “The woman listened to me cry and reassured me that everything was going to be OK. It was just what I needed to hear to come to that appointment instead of trying to call the abortion center again. And so I am eternally grateful that I found the pregnancy center.”
Also appearing on the stage was Antonio de Mello, a Brazilian pro-life father of 46 adopted children, all of whom are survivors of failed abortion attempts. He spoke to the crowds with the help of a translator and garnered strong applause.
Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Michigan Wolverines football team, also made a surprise appearance, introducing keynote speaker Benjamin Watson, a former NFL player.
Lawmakers tout pro-life initiatives
Perhaps unsurprisingly, political action was one of the defining themes of the march as lawmakers took the stage to promote pro-life policies and urge people of all faiths to continue to vote pro-life, especially in the face of numerous state initiatives aiming to expand abortion access in 2024.
Jeanne Mancini, the president of the March for Life, noted in her speech that despite Roe v. Wade being overturned, pro-life people need to remain committed to promoting pro-life policies, not only at the national level but also in the various states where they live. Since 2018, the March for Life has been promoting state-level marches, and at least 16 states now hold them annually.
“Make no mistake, we will march until abortion is unthinkable,” she said.
Rep. Chris Smith, a longtime pro-life advocate in Congress, spoke before the keynotes, emphasizing the work that pro-life members of Congress are doing to attempt to counter the various pro-abortion policies pushed by the administration of President Joe Biden, whom Smith referred to as “the abortion president.” He acknowledged the fact that many pro-abortion initiatives introduced in the states since the fall of Roe have passed, with more coming later this year.
“We’ll have a setback here and there — every human rights struggle does,” he said.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in his speech praised his fellow representatives for passing a resolution Thursday to maintain funding for pro-life pregnancy resource centers, amid efforts within President Joe Biden’s administration to deny the facilities funding under a federal assistance program.
“Who could be opposed to that?” he asked, referring to the assistance that pro-life pregnancy centers provide across the country.
Other lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Roger Marshall from Kansas, braved the weather to show support on the ground for the marchers and for life. Marshall, an OB/GYN who has delivered more than 5,000 babies, introduced a bill last year that would have prevented Biden’s administration from choosing federal leases and property buildings based on the legality or availability of abortion in the area.
“I am a big believer in the sanctity of life,” Marshall told CNA near the start of the march, saying that he often comes to the annual event and supports pro-life policies in Congress.
“[The marchers] are a great inspiration for me.”
Protest within a protest
Along the route of the main March For Life, a vigil was held for several activists who were convicted last year for their pro-life activism at an abortion clinic in Washington, D.C. The activists were convicted of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and could face more than a decade behind bars.
Emiliano Bell, the son of one of the women who was convicted in September, attended the vigil, which was held in front of the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse on Constitution Avenue, where the pro-lifers were tried.
Bell’s mother, 74-year-old Joan Bell, could face up to 11 years in prison for her role in a “rescue” at the abortion clinic. She was charged with conspiracy to blockade the entrance to the abortion clinic and has not yet been sentenced.
Bell, 35, told CNA he has spent his time over the past two years traveling the country to engage in pro-life activism as well, often praying at abortion clinics. He said his mother’s incarceration “has been bad” for the family, noting that she is unable to see her six grandchildren.
“She can’t see them, except through Zoom,” Bell said.
Reporting from Washington, D.C., Joe Bukuras, Peter Pinedo, Tyler Arnold, and photographer Jeffrey Bruno contributed to this report.
Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.
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