Correspondent Lucas Tomlinson provides the latest updates on the annual pro-life demonstration known as the March for Life. Despite recent setbacks at the ballot box, the pro-life movement remains determined to create a culture that protects unborn life in the womb. The March for Life, both as an organization and an annual event, has grown significantly over the past 50 years since its inception in 1974. Tens of thousands of activists from across the country gather each January to protest the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.
While the focus of the march has always been Roe v. Wade, the recent overturning of its precedent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health has only fueled the energy surrounding the event. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini emphasized the importance of the march in the current moment, stating that the pro-life grassroots movement needs strengthening and direction. To achieve this, the March for Life has expanded to the state level, with annual rallies organized by state chapters of the national organization.
The state-level expansion has been rapidly gaining momentum. In 2018, March for Life Virginia held its inaugural march, and by 2023, eight states had joined in. Mancini aims to have the March for Life in all 50 states within the next six years. Following the Dobbs decision, pro-life leaders and conservative politicians have shifted their focus to state-level political battles, aiming to create a “culture of life” where abortion is unthinkable.
The March for Life’s mission extends beyond changing laws around abortion; it also seeks to support women with unexpected pregnancies. Mancini highlighted the confusion surrounding what it means to be pro-life and emphasized that the heart of the movement is about supporting women and wanting what’s best for them. Despite setbacks in statewide ballot initiatives, pro-life leaders remain committed to pushing for pro-life legislation at both the state and national levels.
Public opinion surveys indicate that most Americans do not support completely unrestricted abortion. Mancini pointed out that for at least 12 years, 7 out of 10 Americans have favored limiting abortion to the first three months of pregnancy. The theme of the 2024 March for Life, “with every woman, for every child,” aims to address this confusion and emphasize that being pro-life goes beyond political fights, taking into account the difficulties of unplanned pregnancies.
The impact of pro-life pregnancy centers was highlighted in a report by the Charlotte Lozier Institute. These centers provided nearly 800,000 consultations, 700,000 pregnancy tests, half a million ultrasounds, and hundreds of thousands of STI tests, parenting classes, and sexual risk avoidance education in 2022 alone. They also offered “after-abortion support” to 20,000 clients and delivered $358 million worth of material support for new mothers.
Mancini made a clear distinction between advocating for abortion access and the pro-life movement. While abortion access tends to prey on women’s fears and imply that they are incapable of bearing or raising children, the pro-life movement aims to encourage and support women, assuring them that they have what it takes to face the challenges of an unplanned pregnancy.
In conclusion, the March for Life continues to grow in strength and impact as it expands to the state level. Pro-life leaders and activists remain committed to creating a culture that protects unborn life and supporting women facing unexpected pregnancies. Despite setbacks, the movement persists in pushing for pro-life legislation and changing public opinion on abortion.
