Thousands of people are anticipated to descend on Washington D.C. on Friday to take part in the 51st annual March for Life, a protest against abortion. Despite recent setbacks in the anti-abortion movement, organizers remain optimistic about the energy and enthusiasm surrounding their cause. Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, said of the protest: “the march is an opportunity for pro-lifers to make sure everybody knows that we’re not going away.”
Last year saw voters in seven states passing ballot measures to protect abortion access or rejecting attempts to restrict it. However, the rally, which begins at noon on the National Mall before moving towards the Capitol building and finishing in front of the Supreme Court, looks set to attract a range of politicians, religious leaders, and pro-life advocates who will all address the crowds.
Speakers at the rally include US Representative Chris Smith, a co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, and Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini said: “For the past 51 years, the March for Life has powerfully witnessed to the tragedy of abortion, while calling for stronger protections for women and the unborn.”
Mancini also identified this year’s theme, “Pro-life: With Every Woman, For Every Child” as being “at the heart of the pro-life movement.” Pregnancy care centers and maternity homes will also be highlighted at the rally, she said.
However, a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service could cause problems for the demonstrators, with up to three inches of snow forecast. Police have warned of street closures in advance of the rally, which will be available to watch via a livestream on the organizer’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Looking forward, 2024 is set to be a significant year for abortion rights in the US. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is scheduled to hear further cases on the issue, and a range of states could have abortion access on ballots. The overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022 left behind a patchwork of restrictions in state laws, and 14 states have now banned abortion. According to a study, some states have seen a rise in abortion rates since the ruling.
