Pro-life activists brave cold to join March for Life

January 22, 2014

Tens of thousands of American pro-lifers joined in the March for Life in Washington on January 22, undeterred by bitter cold temperatures and a snowstorm earlier in the week that had complicated travel plans for many people hoping to participate in the annual event.

Pope Francis sent a message of support to the marchers on his Twitter account. “I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers,” the Pope said. “May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable.”

The annual March for Life, held on January 22 to commemorate the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, had a new leader—Jeanne Monahan, who succeeded the late Nellie Gray in 2012—and a new approach. The crowd on the Washington Mall was mostly composed of young people, and the March made heavy use of social media to stir interest and organize participants.

Always a heavily Catholic event, this year’s March for Life also emphasized ties with other religious groups. Among the featured speakers at the rally that preceded the walk to the Supreme Court building was Dr. James Dobson, the revered Evangelical leader and founder of Focus on the Family.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Thousands of abortion foes set out on March for Life in Washington (Washington Post
• Six surprising changes to the anti-abortion March for Life (CNN)