With Virginia voters set to decide a constitutional amendment on abortion this November, Liberty students joined hundreds in Richmond for the 2026 Virginia March for Life to defend the unborn and bear public witness to the truth that every human life is made in the image of God.
As Virginia voters head to the polls later this year to decide whether or not abortion should be added to the state constitution, Liberty students joined with others at the state capitol in Richmond to remind those in the Old Dominion of the Christian duty to protect and defend the most vulnerable among us.
Virginia’s 2026 March is especially important this year, as voters will be considering a ballot measure that would remove nearly all abortion restrictions and enshrine a fundamental constitutional right to abortion. The text of the amendment reads: “Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, as defined in the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means.”
Virginia already has one of the most liberal abortion statutes in the country, allowing unfettered abortion throughout the second trimester, but the new amendment would effectively allow abortions in Virginia up to and including the moment of birth. It will also eliminate the legislature’s ability to incorporate any safeguards, including mandating parental consent for minors seeking an abortion.
Yesterday’s March for Life reminded all attendees that they need to get out and talk to their communities about the implications of this destructive anti-life ballot measure and why Christians have a duty to vote against it.
Students gathered with hundreds of other pro-life advocates at the Capitol Square area of downtown Richmond. The day included inspirational speeches by a number of high-profile speakers dedicated to the cause of life. One of those was Jonathan Falwell, Liberty’s chancellor and the senior pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church, who reminded the audience of the biblical case for life in Ephesians 2:10 ,“We are God’s masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus, to do the works that He prepared for us before time began.”
Falwell added, “God does not wait until we were born to see the value in each of us, He saw the value in us before we were ever even conceived.” He concluded his speech by praying for God to guide the steps of Virginia’s legislative and state-level leadership, as well as all those on both the pro–life and pro–choice sides of the aisle.
Following brief remarks by a few other guests, students began their march, accompanied by hundreds of other protestors, on a one-mile circuit surrounding the Virginia capitol building.
Payton Torrence, along with several other Liberty students who are involved in Liberty’s Turning Point USA chapter, shared how incredibly important it was for students to be at the Virginia March for Life this year. “So much of our generation, Gen Z is missing, because so many babies have been aborted, and that really hurts our hearts. This is such a critical issue facing our country. Christians ought to be the light in the darkness, and this is us doing our part in standing up for what’s right, standing up for the truth and fighting for life.”
He also quoted President Ronald Reagan, who once said, “Freedom is only one generation from extinction,” and reminded those who are on the fence about being engaged culturally that the liberties we take for granted as Americans can slip away so easily. He added that it is critically important for the next generation to be fighting for what is right, for truth, and for life.
After the March concluded, students were treated to a complimentary lunch at a Chick fil-A as they headed back to Lynchburg. They arrived back at school late in the day, encouraged and empowered to finish the semester strong, with final exams and the end of classes for the spring 2026 semester rapidly approaching.
Students who attended the 2026 Virginia March for Life had an opportunity not merely to practice what they preach but to reflect Christ to a world that is far from Him, so that the world might know Him. This is an example of what the Standing for Freedom Center’s Executive Director Ryan Helfenbein has termed “discipleship in action,” noting that when Christians stand for truth, they never stand alone.
Taking a group of students passionate about defending the unborn to the Virginia March for Life is just another example of what Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr. hoped to achieve when he established an “institution of destiny” that would raise up and train the next generation of Champions for Christ who would both bring an unbelieving world back to Christ and shift the culture in a more righteous way.
The Virginia March for Life is one of many events that the Standing for Freedom Center coordinates or hosts. For more information on upcoming events, including our annual “Freedom Uncensored” conference on October 23-24, 2026, click HERE.
If you believe truth must be exposed and the unborn must be defended without apology, make a tax-deductible gift today. Your support helps the Standing for Freedom Center confront abortion industry deception, defend life with courage, and equip Americans to stand firm when the cost is high.
