Life – not yet born in a mother’s womb; small and holding
onto Dad’s hand; older and walking beside a longtime spouse;
consecrated and praying the rosary – filled the streets of
Washington Jan. 22 to protest Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme
Court decision that legalized abortion.
For the 42nd time, marchers lifted banners, prayers and
cheers on behalf of the unborn, participating in a singular
protest in a city known nearly as much for protests as for
politicians.
“I’ve never heard of anything so successful done year after
year,” said Father James S. Barkett, pastor of St. Mary of
Sorrows Church in Fairfax, who attended the march. “People
take the time to come out and give witness every year. I
don’t know of any other group that does that on this scale.”
The annual March for Life begins on the National Mall with a
number of talks and ends at the Supreme Court. This year’s
speakers included Kathleen Wilson, founder of Mary’s Shelter
houses for homeless pregnant women in Fredericksburg.
But each year also has its own unique spirit. This year’s
included the continuity between civil rights and the pro-life
cause, the role of love-centered dialogue and, like most
recent marches, the energy of the young.
“Just look around and you can see there’s a high percentage
under 30 years old,” said Angela Erickson of Students for
Life of America as she handed out “I am the pro-life
generation” signs. “When you have that many youths involved,
you know the end (of abortion) is near.”
Surrounded by a sea of young, enthusiastic St. Mary of
Sorrows parishioners, Father Barkett agreed. “It is the kids
who are going to change the culture,” he said.
Many parents at the march pushed strollers, gave piggyback
rides and held hands, showing that the “pro-life generation”
begins at a young age. Marija Hechinger, a parishioner of St.
John the Baptist in Front Royal, brought her four children,
ranging from 9 months to 5 years old. “It’s important for
kids to recognize the evil that is going on and to show
witness to the unborn and to pray for them,” she said.
For Stephen Lee, a parishioner of St. Peter Church in
Washington, Va., the march is one important piece of pro-life
education for his children. Along with the march, Lee said
they have family discussions about what it means to support
life. Those conversations “help provide (the children) with
the tools and ammunition to have a discussion about the
issue,” both from a faith-based and scientific perspective,
he said.
“This is the No. 1 human rights cause in the world today,” he
added, and we must help young people see “the truth of
abortion and how precious life is.”
The pro-life message as part of the human rights cause was
captured in a simple black-and-white sign held by a group of
African-American teenage boys from St. Louis. Beside an image
of an unborn baby it read: “Black Lives Matter Even in the
Womb.”
The sign was inspired by the popular slogan and hashtag
#blacklivesmatter, which went viral after police officers
fatally shot an African-American teenager in Ferguson, Mo.,
and an African-American man in New York.
Father Steve Giljum brought the group of teens from his
predominately African-American parish in St. Louis because
“God is calling us to fan the flame of the pro-life
movement.”
He said that in the wake of the pain and upheaval – both in
St. Louis and nationally – following the two deaths, it’s
crucial to “make the connection between civil rights and
human life.
“Life issues are a domino effect,” he said. “If we don’t
respect life in the womb, we are going to have a hard time
respecting life at all stages.”
Prior to the march, Greg Lima, a junior at Catholic
University in Washington, said it is encouraging to be with
so many like-minded people at the annual event but that it is
critical to carry the day’s energy into dialogue with those
holding opposing views. And in those discussions, “we must
always love our neighbor,” he said.
From a place of love, the goal is to one day ensure that
“every person has a chance to experience the wonder of life
that God gave us,” said Lima. “Everyone deserves to have a
birthday.”
As the peaceful protestors moved along Constitution Avenue
toward the Supreme Court, soaking in the late-afternoon sun
after several years of frigid marches, Christendom College
students entertained the walkers with music and juggling.
Nearly the entire student body came in nine busloads from the
Front Royal campus.
“It’s so refreshing and inspiring to see so much diversity at
the march – all races and ages, from colleges and parishes
across the country,” said Peter Tapsak, a Christendom
sophomore. “Every year it’s a powerful public stand.”
