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“Just as ending slavery was a long struggle, pro-lifers are in for the long haul. Our positive message of hope motivating pro-life forces can be seen everywhere, and we will continue until this message of hope prevails, not just nationally, but in every state.”
–ED VITAGLIANO, AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION
For the first time in 50 years, thousands gathered in Washington, D.C., not to march for the ending of Roe v. Wade, but to celebrate its reversal as pro-lifers continued to call for the end of all abortion at the March for Life on Friday.
Marchers gathered in Washington Friday for the first March for Life since the fall of Roe. The mood was celebratory as they declared the obituary of the decision that made abortion legal in all 50 states and helped birth the event. The protestors were clearly happy over the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which overturned Roe and returned authority over abortion laws back to the states, but they’re not sitting back and resting on that initial victory. There is clearly more work than ever to be done.
Lori, a pro-life activist from Arizona, told the Federalist, “I’ve been to the March for Life several times but I especially wanted to come this year to celebrate the end of Roe, But we can’t stop fighting now. This is when it really gets tough. We can’t let our guard down.”
Numerous religious leaders also joined the March, proclaiming the value of life and encouraging pro-life laws. Ed Vitagliano, executive vice president of the American Family Association in Tupelo, Mississippi, told Fox News, “Just as ending slavery was a long struggle, pro-lifers are in for the long haul. Our positive message of hope motivating pro-life forces can be seen everywhere, and we will continue until this message of hope prevails, not just nationally, but in every state.”
Jesse Bradley, pastor of Grace Community Church near Seattle, Washington, expressed, “We have a benevolent Creator — and every person is made in the image of God. Jesus confirmed that all people have immeasurable value, at every age and stage of life. God knits us together in our mother’s womb and is faithful to our final breath.”
He also said, “Life truly is a gift from God. We are all eternal beings with a soul and are made to have a close relationship with God. Jesus said to let the children come to Him and do not hinder them because the kingdom of God belongs to these little ones (Matthew 19:14).”
Bradley advocated for Christians to take in foster children and to push to end human trafficking.
Many were speaking out for helping pregnant women. Liberty Midner, who leads the Adopt-a-Mom Program for the pro-life group Let Them Live, explained, “Every mom’s situation is different. We need to love them with our resources, our money, but also with our whole lives. Pregnancies are hard and being a mother is hard. The goal is to completely change the culture around motherhood and to see how beautiful it is.”
Gina Tomes, family life director for Bethlehem Home, which provides shelter, care, and food for mothers, expressed a desire to see more government funding of programs to support mothers, a consistent desire among event attendees.
“Through the intervention in a woman’s life by just surrounding her with the proper care and love and services — it changes their life. Every little bit helps in strategic planning for their future and foundation. We have seen miracles happen on a daily basis. We work with women that overcome addiction. We end homelessness. We are poverty fighters. By choosing life, that is all possible.”
The keynote speaker at the March for Life was former NFL player and coach Tony Dungy. The Hall of Famer drew parallels between the importance of Damar Hamlin, the 24-year-old football player who suffered a high-profile cardiac arrest on the field, and unborn children. He said,
“An unbelievable thing happened that night. A professional football game with millions of dollars of ticket money and advertising money on the line – that game was canceled. Why? Because a life was at stake, and people wanted to see that life saved. That should be encouraging to us, because that’s exactly why we’re here today, because every day innocent lives are at stake. The only difference is they don’t belong to a famous athlete, and they’re not seen on national TV. But those lives are still important to God and in God’s eyes.”
Pro-life marchers also held events in places around the country, such as in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Liberty University drove 11 buses with over 500 students to the March for Life, a journey that Ryan Helfenbein, executive director for Standing for Freedom Center, took part in and tweeted about:
Summer Smith, a junior at LU, shared her personal motivation for attending the March and ending abortion.
“My mom was an 18-year-old senior about to graduate when she found out she was pregnant, and like most women in her situation, didn’t feel prepared or ready to have a child.… It’s a very hard and scary situation and instead of feeling safe enough to reach out for support, my mom felt afraid and alone. And the reason I am pro-life is because I don’t want anyone to have to go through what my mother went through, and that is why I march today.”
She concluded, “We only have one life on this earth. One chance to end abortion. One chance to support women like my mom. I encourage you to stand courageously for truth in love, to see innocent lives protected and to see abortion abolished in our lifetime.”
It is amazing to see so many participate in the March for Life this year after Roe was overturned. It is especially inspiring to see many young pro-lifers at the rally, showing there are many who will continue to stand up for life going forward.
Proverbs 31:8-9 proclaims,
“Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”
Events like this do just that. However, more than just marches are needed. Christians need to preach the value of life and educate others on the horrors of abortion and how it really impacts mothers. They need to get involved by stepping up to help pregnant and new moms in their churches and communities, such as offering to babysit or run errands; donating diapers, clothing, and other resources; and volunteering at pregnancy resource centers. Christian families should consider adopting foster children and work to change the system so these children don’t languish for years being bounced around different foster homes.
And finally, Christians need to get involved politically. That means writing state, city, and federal lawmakers, working phone banks, and knocking on doors to educate voters and collect signatures.
And it means voting and encouraging others to vote. As American citizens, we have the unique privilege and responsibility to choose the leaders we want to oversee our national, state, and local governments and set the policies that determine the type of society we get to live in.
As such, Christians who care about unborn children, as well as other pro-life causes, need to get out and vote in every primary, general, and special election for pro-life candidates and laws. By failing to do so, we do an injustice to the unborn — and to mankind.
Ready to dive deeper into the intersection of faith and policy? Head over to our Theology of Politics series page where we’ve published several long-form pieces that will help Christians navigate where their faith should direct them on political issues.
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