Despite the arctic chill that enveloped the nation’s capital, tens of thousands of people participated in the 52nd annual March for Life.
Grand Rapids Right to Life hosted six buses, transporting 328 people from Michigan to Washington, DC, for this annual event. Five of the six buses were filled with school students.
The opening rally featured Vice President JD Vance; House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA); Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; Lila Rose, president of Live Action; The Most Reverend Josephe F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City; and Bethany Hamilton, professional surfer and motivational figure.
The audience at the rally enthusiastically welcomed the new Vice President of the United States.
“The crowd assembled here on this incredible National Mall provides an extraordinary example for our nation,” Vance stated. “You donate to diaper banks; you help find housing for those in need; you help fund the crisis pregnancy centers that give help to young women and young men in a time of crisis. You guys are the beating heart of the prolife movement, and you have saved many lives already, and you’re going to save more again. You being here, this very march, is a reminder of the incredible strength and unity of the prolife movement.”
This was the third March for Life since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that had legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states.
The theme for this year’s march was “Life: Why We March.” It focused on acknowledging the humanity of each person while also highlighting the need to protect and support both mother and child.
Jennie Bradley Lichter, the president-elect of the March for Life, inspired the crowd with her words. “You all know that unborn people are people too, and they have a right to life just like the rest of us. You know that the wantedness of a human being doesn’t determine our value,” she declared. “You know that it’s right and good to stand up for people who are too small to defend themselves. You know that abortion hurts women; that abortion hurts everyone it touches.”
Photos from the March for Life can be viewed on the Grand Rapids Right to Life Flickr page.