At the first Virginia March for Life since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, pro-lifers came to Richmond Feb. 1 from around the commonwealth to advocate for the unborn. With the reversal of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, states can now greatly restrict and even ban the life-taking procedure. Some 600 pro-lifers began the morning at the legislative offices of their elected officials lobbying for greater restrictions on abortion during the event called Defending Life Day.
Deacon Thomas L. Grodek, who came with others from Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, spoke with a staffer of Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale) about protecting unborn children with disabilities. For Medicaid-eligible pregnant women, Virginia uses state taxpayer dollars to fund abortion in certain cases, including if their unborn child has a disability. Implementing the Hyde Amendment would prevent that.
When Deacon Grodek visited Watts previously to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, such as his late daughter, Maureen, the delegate was supportive. “It’s the same child in the womb,” said Deacon Grodek.
Mary Nguyen, a parishioner of Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Church in Annandale, also came to Richmond to speak to elected officials before the march. “We work very hard, and we don’t want people to use our money to kill the babies,” she said. “We want to save the money for education, to help the family, but not to kill the baby. (Babies are) our treasure, our future for the country.”
Nguyen noted that in the United States, killing a bald eagle can result in jail time or a hefty fine. “As humans, we are worth less than an animal,” she said. “In (Vietnam), when the baby turns 3 months, we celebrate the first year. We count the baby in the womb as a human too. I came because the children cannot protect themselves, so I want to show that (they) are humans, too.”
At noon, pro-lifers gathered on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol, where they heard speeches from pro-life politicians and advocates, including Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-life Activities. “All bishops throughout this country, in solidarity with our Holy Father Pope Francis, are tireless in our defense of the sacredness of all human life, especially the vulnerable and the unborn,” he said. “We will be tireless in our work to bring an end to abortion and to oppose anything proposing federal funding for abortion. We are united and I know we are united with all of you.”
After the rally, pro-lifers marched through the streets of Richmond, chanting slogans and carrying signs that read, “Peace begins in the womb” and “Love them both.” As he did last year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined the crowd, which exceeded those of previous years.
Bella Micallef, a junior from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, came with the Catholic Campus Ministry. As president of the school’s pro-life group, she appreciated being around so many people who believe in the sanctity of life.
“My mom was a teen mom so it’s very personal,” said Micallef. “She had me at age 20, but my older sister when she was 18. My dad was 17. Abortion was never an option for her. She raised us to see the value of life.
“I’m so lucky that she chose life,” she said. “So many people that age don’t. And I’ve had a wonderful childhood, I didn’t even realize they were so young until I got older. She’s amazing.”
This story has been updated.
