From the Heart of the Nation: Voices Fighting for the Voiceless
On a cold Friday January day in the nation’s capital, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered for the annual National March for Life rally, which has become a flagship event for the pro-life movement since its inception in 1974. Held near the anniversary of the now-overturned Roe v. Wade decision, this year’s march carried special significance as it was the third since the landmark Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which returned the power to regulate abortion to the states.
The energy of the crowd was electric as participants—families, faith groups, students, and grassroots advocacy organizations—assembled on the National Mall. Under clear blue skies, they carried signs reading “Women Deserve Real Freedom,” “Love Them Both,” and “I Am The Post-Roe Generation.” It was a vivid display of the movement’s broad coalition, from devout Catholics to secular humanists, all unified by a commitment to protecting the unborn.
Jeanne Mancini, outgoing president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, addressed the crowd, highlighting the importance of continuing the fight for the basic truth that life begins in the womb. “Every human being, regardless of race, regardless of disability, regardless of religion, gender, size, or stage of development in the womb, every single life has inherent human dignity!”
This year’s theme is, “Life: Why We March,” underscoring the main purpose of why the pro-life advocates protect unborn lives even when there is a massive shifting landscape of the movement. In many states, new abortion restrictions have already taken effect, while others have doubled down on expanding access to abortion services such as New Jersey and New York. The march’s focus emphasized not only political advocacy but also the importance of fostering a culture of life through support for pregnant women and families. This would allow those who have had thoughts of aborting their child the chance to get the resources they need to avoid killing an innocent child.
Among the many speakers was Vice President J.D. Vance, who made his first public appearance since being sworn in this past Monday, The keynote speech was given by Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a vicious shark attack off the coast of Hawaii when she was a teenager. Now she has children of her own. Hamilton spoke on the meaning of life. “The beauty sure outweighs the challenge and I look forward to every single day serving my beautiful children and sharing life with them.” She said, “Children are true wealth and they are truly the greatest blessing that God has to offer us.”
At the end of all the speeches, the march culminated in a symbolic walk to the steps of the U.S. Capitol, a visual reminder that the movement’s mission now lies largely in the hands of state legislatures and grassroots advocates. Participants shared personal stories along the route, creating a tapestry of voices that underscored the depth and diversity of the cause.
As always, critics come to counter-protest the march. These folks have argued that the movement’s gains come at the expense of women’s autonomy and access to healthcare. However, participants have pushed back against these claims, emphasizing their commitment to addressing the social and economic challenges that often drive abortion decisions. Organizations like Live Action, Knights of Columbus, and Students for Life were present at the rally to showcase resources for women, offering support for parenting, adoption, and post-abortion healing.
The National March for Life continues to be a powerful force for social change, even as the movement faces evolving challenges in an extremely divided political climate. For those in attendance, the rally served as both a celebration of victories achieved and a call to action for the battles ahead. With the Capitol dome as a backdrop, they marched resolutely, united by the belief that every life is worth protecting, no matter how big or small.