Nearly a half-century after Roe v. Wade’s tragic outcome — as the nation awaits a major decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — the annual March for Life takes on new meaning.
At issue in Dobbs is whether Mississippi can legally impose a 15-week limit on abortions, which is earlier than previously allowed; it’s also worth noting that the United States is on a small but troubling list of nations allowing nascent life to be terminated after 20 weeks.
Pro-abortion activists are fearful of this inflection point, claiming the high court will simply “overturn Roe.” It’s more likely, however, any decision will weaken Roe’s precedent, and return the issue to the states, while still recognizing constitutional protections for so-called “reproductive rights.”
“The Dobbs case has exposed a half-century of lies, bad science, and devastation that Roe v. Wade has laid waste for generations,” Kristen Waggoner from Alliance Defending Freedom explained Friday.
As hundreds of thousands of people march for life on Friday, our message to you is, “We pray that this will be the last #MarchForLife with Roe as the law of the land.” #ProLife #MN07https://t.co/jKwfZu28sG
— Michelle Fischbach (@FischbachMN7) January 21, 2022
So, at high noon on a cold January day in the nation’s capital, tens of thousands — mostly young people, from all across America and the world — peacefully and passionately gathered on the National Mall to listen to speakers, including politicians, actors, and other prominent pro-life and religious leaders, before marching to the Supreme Court steps. There was no stoking racial divisions, nor hyper partisanship.
“We must seize the opportunity,” New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith argued. “In 1973, the Supreme Court abandoned women and children to the $3.5 billion abortion industry. We are at a tipping point, and we march for these lives.”
Like many young people across the country, a high school girl from Nebraska took a 20-hour bus ride with her Catholic school to attend Friday’s proceedings.
“She enjoyed the experience,” her dad reported to Alpha News. “It’s a long bus trip back and for her first visit to Washington, but she was amazed with how many people were there.”
.@SenSasse on today’s March for Life: “Our pro-life movement is about love, and that’s what gives us hope. We believe in hope, in love, in human dignity. We’re pro-woman, pro-baby, and pro-science. …” 1/x
— Alexandra DeSanctis Marr (@xan_desanctis) January 21, 2022
The theme for the 49th March for Life was “Equality Begins in the Womb.” The name choice highlighted “how true equality is only possible if we recognize that children in the womb also deserve protection.”
“Roe is not settled law,” March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said twice to open the event. She then reminded attendees they march for the “poorest of the poor and most vulnerable.”
The march also drew attention to the devastating effect extinguishing nascent life has on minority communities.
Studies show black women account for the highest percentage of abortions — usually close to 40 percent — with higher death rates for mothers, and abortion rates more than three times higher than whites.
These are the stories of the pro-life movement!
Thanks to pregnancy care centers like Acres of Hope countless babies have been saved and families supported.#WhyWeMarch pic.twitter.com/NMIa6IvMgM
— March for Life (@March_for_Life) January 21, 2022
A January Marist Poll of more than 1,000 adults found that 71% of Americans support some restrictions on abortion, with fewer than 20% believing a woman should be able to have an abortion “any time she wants” during her pregnancy.
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A.J. Kaufman
A.J. Kaufman is an Alpha News columnist. His work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Indianapolis Star, Israel National News, Orange County Register, St. Cloud Times, Star-Tribune, and across AIM Media Midwest and the Internet. Kaufman previously worked as a school teacher and military historian.
