Thousands of abortion opponents marched to the Supreme Court on Monday to mark the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, and supportive lawmakers urged them to further their cause by working to defeat President Barack Obama in the fall.
The “March for Life” has been held every year since 1974, a year after the landmark Supreme Court ruling. It’s consistently one of the largest protests of the year in Washington, although soggy, chilly conditions likely kept this year’s numbers down a bit. A crowd of several hundred, including Medina High School senior Nichole Sands, came from the Diocese of Buffalo.
Sands, who celebrated her 18th birthday Sunday, said Tuesday that being a part of the peaceful protest reminded her of the importance of her voting rights.
“I am always amazed by the amount of people who gather, to protest infanticide. Being a part of the March for Life, this year, encouraged me to register to vote, and reminded me to vote for only pro-life candidates.”
She was one of 11,000 youth who gathered at a rally and mass at the D.C. Armory Monday and a larger group that marched down the National Mall to the steps of the Supreme Court.
“My group began walking after about the first third of people had started the walk. After finishing on the Supreme Court, I was able to watch the hundreds of thousands of people who were behind me continue the walk on their way,” said Sands, who has now gone to the annual march four times. “I watched the march for over an hour, and still looking down Constitution Avenue, I was unable to see the end of the multitudes of pro-life advocates, speaking their voices for the unborn.”
Several dozen members of Congress addressed the rally and were cheered by participants, many of whom carried signs reading “I Vote Pro-Life First,” ‘’Defund Planned Parenthood” and “Face It ... Abortion Kills a Person.” House Speaker John Boehner addressed the group, reminding those gathered on the muddy National Mall that he’s one of 12 children.
“I’m sure it wasn’t easy for our mother to have 12 of us, but I’m glad we’re all here,” the Republican lawmaker said. “I’ve never considered being pro-life a label or a political position. It’s just who I am.”
Americans remain strongly divided on abortion. A Gallup poll last year showed that 49 percent of respondents identified themselves as “pro-choice,” while 45 percent called themselves “pro-life.” The same survey found that 50 percent of Americans believe abortion should be legal under some circumstances, 27 percent said it should be legal in all cases and 22 percent said it should always be illegal.
Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said in a statement that politicians supporting the March for Life were ignoring more pressing issues.
“Anti-choice politicians and their allies promised to focus on creating jobs, yet they are attacking a woman’s right to choose at near-record levels,” Keenan said. “This extreme agenda is out of touch with our country’s values and priorities.”
Some marchers said opposition to abortion transcends partisan politics.
“Eight years ago, when George W. Bush was president, we were still out here,” said Michael Tober, 36, of Muskegon, Mich. “It’s not a Republican thing; it’s not a Democrat thing. It’s a human thing.”
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