I’m in Washington, D.C,. today ahead of tomorrow’s annual March for Life – the world’s largest gathering of individuals committed and dedicated to saving and protecting the most innocent among us.
Back on January 22, 1974 – the one-year anniversary of the horrific and ill-fated Roe v. Wade decision – Washington lawyer Nellie Gray led a morning of lobbying and an afternoon demonstration of over 20,000 people on the Capitol steps. In response, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood declared:
“The Right to Life people have not accepted the Supreme Court decision and continue to press to resist it, subvert it and to turn it back.”
Planned Parenthood has been wrong about countless things, but they were right then (and now) about our refusal to accept the killing of pre-born children. Nearly a half-century later, our movement and dedication to this injustice has only strengthened and grown. From 20,000 demonstrators on that cold January afternoon in 1974, the March each year has consistently drawn hundreds of thousands.
Even amidst the bitter cold and snows of a Washington winter, why do we continue to “press to resist it,” “subvert it” and campaign to “turn it back”?
Here are just some of the reasons why:
We march each January because the movement and moment gives voice to those who have no voice at all.
We march because it’s always right to fight and try to right a wrong – and it’s always wrong to stay silent when the rights of others are being trampled.
We march to call attention to the injustices of the last half-century and put those who champion the unfettered killing of babies on the defensive.
We march so that a future generation of women will not be enslaved to live lives of regret.
We march because we believe abortion is erasing the future and eliminating boys and girls who would grow up to become men and women who would cure cancer, invent life-saving technologies, solve impossible problems, compose symphonies and help create a more beautiful culture and society.
We march to show the world there is a better way. We march to remind the world every child is a wanted one, and every child will someday mean the world to somebody.
We march to make a difference and proclaim that life is better than death.
We march because doing something is better than doing nothing.
If you can’t be in Washington tomorrow, I hope you’ll join us virtually. Click here to watch and participate wherever you might be.
For all its nearly 45 years, Focus on the Family has played a crucial role in this long and tenacious campaign. It’s a privilege to labor and partner alongside stalwarts like my friend Jeannie Mancini, who heads up the March for Life. If you think your support for pre-born life puts you in rare company – think again. You’re not alone.
As I told a reporter last week, we cannot predict or guarantee the outcome of the pending Supreme Court case – but if we pray and work towards a culture of life, we can deserve the outcome when the day of rejoicing comes.
Photo from Shutterstock.
Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter
Leave a Reply