Thomas Griffin 1/20/24
Join Our Email List
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Read “Empty Tomb Project: The Magazine”
“With every woman, for every child.”
This was the slogan for the 51st annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Friday. In the past there have been up to 400,000 attendees and even with the snow and frigid temperatures numbers were huge yet again.
Americans of all ages and faith backgrounds gathered at the rally begin the March for Life with a view of the Capitol building in front of them and a view of the Washington monument behind them. Young high school students build a snowman while others of all ages gathered in joy to witness to the beautiful fact of life.
A video played on repeat while thousands gathered to hear a variety of speeches. The video for this year’s rally spoke about how the death and darkness of abortion will only end with an approach of hope and love. Those gathered were invited to be the light in the darkness for those babies who have no voice.
The same video also referenced, as did many speakers at the rally, that the overturn of Roe v. Wade was a big step but that “we will not stop marching until abortion is unthinkable.”
Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (LA), gave the opening remarks. He spoke about how the birth certificate of America (the Declaration of Independence) bluntly references the fact that our rights do not come from the government but from our Creator.
Johnson also noted that his existence was the result of an unplanned pregnancy. His parents were teenagers when they found out they were pregnant. Johnson showed gratitude to his parents for choosing life and he expressed just how blessed he was for that decision.
Two women also spoke at the rally. Both spoke of how a pregnancy resource center saved the lives of their children. When they needed help and had nowhere to go they reached out to one of these centers and were given a similar message: how can we help you and support you?
Both women noted that those conversations helped them to have the courage to keep their baby and not get an abortion. Now they could never consider life without this child.
There are over 2,700 of these pregnancy centers around the country. While the Biden administration desires to decrease their funding, these centers save lives every year and support mothers with over $300 million dollars of donations in diapers, clothing, baby formula and other necessities. Keeping these facilities open and available while championing the good they do was a clear message from the rally.
Coach Jim Harbaugh of the national title Michigan Wolverines also shared some words at the rally. He said that “this is a great day for a march. It is football weather.” Harbaugh also noted what a great witness to the sanctity of life is being set but the thousands gathered.
Once the walk to the Capitol building and Supreme Court house began, there were thousands filling the streets. Along the route you could visibly see groups wearing color coordinated scarves and hats. There were groups from Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Indiana, New York and countless others.
Along the way you could hear some groups praying the rosary while others sang songs and some led chants in support of the pro-life cause. Not long into the route a bright yellow sign caught my eye: “Caution genocide content ahead.”
Soon there was a massive television in sight that was showing pictures of aborted babies. There was even a recording of a baby crying during an abortion. As a father of two this was the most jarring part of the event. It was explicit and real. But it was true.
The reason why so many made their way through the bitter cold and snow to walk the streets of the nation’s capital was encapsulated by the chants, songs and images of the day. Those who marched love life. They love families and they love babies.
Speaking to some of the participants on this cold day their messages were similar. “We come to give voice to the voiceless. We march out of love for life. Protecting their right to life is why we march.”
One day may the goal of the March for Life come true: let’s make abortion unthinkable, because every life has infinite value.
Thomas Griffin is the chairperson of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island where he lives with his wife and two sons. He has a masters degree in theology and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empty Tomb Project: The Magazine.
Join Our Email List
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Empty Tomb Project 