Why We March: Historic 50th March for Life, First in Post-Roe Era

Susan Berry, PhD

Thousands of pro-life Americans and advocates from other nations will gather on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Friday to celebrate the 50th March for Life, the first since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The March for Life Education and Defense Fund says the theme for the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration is “Next Steps: Marching into a Post-Roe America,” one that calls pro-life advocates to continue their work in defense of the unborn and their mothers on both the state and federal level, including advocacy for “a minimum federal standard to protect innocent life against radical pro-abortion legislation.”

“With Roe now behind us, we are empowered to save countless innocent American lives by continuing to advocate for commonsense protections at the state and federal level, educating Americans on the intrinsic dignity of all human life,” said Jeanne Mancini, the organization’s president. “This year will be a somber reminder of the millions of lives lost to abortion in the past 50 years, but also a celebration of how far we have come and where we as a movement need to focus our effort as we enter this new era in our quest to protect life.”

The annual Marist poll, commissioned by the Knights of Columbus, found 69 percent of Americans support limiting abortion to, at the most, the first trimester of pregnancy. That outcome includes 49 percent of Democrats, 93 percent of Republicans, and 70 percent of Independents.

Additionally, the survey found 91 percent of Americans are in favor of pregnancy resource centers, which provide support to mothers during and after their pregnancies, and 60 percent oppose using taxpayer dollars for abortion services within the United States.

“Nearly 7 in 10 Americans believe abortion should be limited,” said Dr. Barbara Carvalho, director of the Marist Poll, in a statement. “After a year of contentious public debate over the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, the results are comparable to the findings of a Knights of Columbus–Marist Poll conducted last January.”

Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly also noted the consistency in the poll throughout the years:

Since the start of the Knights of Columbus–Marist Poll in 2008, we’ve seen a consistent and clear consensus of Americans who support restrictions on abortion. Likewise, an overwhelming majority of people — 90% this year — believe that our laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child. Too often, the abortion debate is framed in the context of supporting either one or the other. The reality is, we can — and must — craft laws that protect both mothers and their children.

This survey of 1,025 adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States was conducted Jan. 6 through Jan. 9, 2023. Results are statistically significant within ±3.5 percentage points.

Speakers at the March for Life rally include:

  • Jonathan Roumie, best known for his award-winning role as ‘Jesus’ in the fan-supported series, THE CHOSEN, a drama about the life of Jesus Christ.
  • Coach Tony Dungy, New York Times bestselling author and Pro-Football Hall of Famer
  • Dr. Christina Francis, CEO-Elect of AAPLOG
  • Gina Tomes, Director of the Bethlehem House Maternity Home
  • Sister Mary Casey, Sisters of Life
  • Casey Gunning, teacher’s assistant and lifelong athlete in the Special Olympics
  • Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who won the Dobbs Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade
  • House Majority Leader Steve Scalise
  • Congressman Christopher H. Smith, Co-Chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus
  • Connecticut State Representative Treneé McGhee

The Most Reverend Bishop Burbidge of the diocese of Arlington will lead the opening prayer at the rally, with American evangelist and missionary Franklin Graham to deliver the closing prayer.

Logan Earnest, a College Knight from George Washington University, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Ariel Walden will sing the national anthem.

We Are Messengers, the GMA Dove-nominated and K-LOVE Award-winning musical group, will perform the pre-rally concert.

The March for Life Rally will begin Friday, January 20, at noon Eastern.

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Susan Berry, PhD is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “March for Life Marcher” by March for Life.

 

 

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