Special Report: March for Life - It's a New Day

Words from the White House and from the 2009 March for Life confirmed the chasm that exists between those who are giving a voice to the unborn and our new Chief Executive. It's a new day in the cause for Life.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - As thousands of pro-life citizens gathered Thursday on the National Mall for the March for Life, chain link fences, signs and porta-johns were still present as a reminder of an inaugural held there just two days ago. The inauguration of our 44th President and the convening of our 36th March for Life are two events that confirm the major collision of values now present.

Marchers, again this year, came from all over the United States to remember Roe vs Wade and a ruling that released a holocaust against one-third of the nations unborn since 1973.

The familiar shouts of "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Roe v Wade has got to go!" echoed from parts of the crowd on the mall near Seventh Street. Some groups huddled in the warming winter sun, praying the Rosary or straining to hear the program over the loudspeakers. Nearby, pro-life legislators, Catholic bishops, and other religious leaders joined March founder Nellie Gray on the platform for the preliminary events.

Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue in the 1980's, was one of those present. He affirmed the fact that we are continuing to battle in a manner similar to the social revolutions of the past such as ending slavery, child labor, segregation, and a woman's right to vote.

"Those movements give us a template of how to effect social change," Terry stated. "A change in the law" Terry went on to emphasize that people cannot see the March for Life as the beginning and end of their involvement in Life Issues. This must be an on-going commitment.

From the very beginning this was a different march. For the past eight years those who gathered for the opening program heard words of support from the President of the United States, encouraging them to continue their work on behalf of the unborn. This year, though he was invited, President Obama did not send recorded greetings or acknowledge the March in any way.

He did, however, issue a statement that galvanized his position on the issue. "On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters," said the president. "I remain committed to protecting a woman's right to choose."

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi issued her own statement. "I will work with President Obama, as I have worked throughout my entire career, to ensure a woman's right to choose."

For pro-life advocates, these statements have reinforced thea huge chasm that exists with regard to personhood, and we are in a new day in the war of the womb.

Thursday's march to the Supreme Court building was lead by students from Christendom College carrying the traditional March for Life Banner. They were followed by a large group of women - and men - that has stirred many people to pro-life action in recent years, Silent No More.

Silent No More is an organization of women who are willing to come forward and declare that they regret their abortion. The group also includes men in this public affirmation who are willing to speak out, saying that they regret their participation.

As the marchers started their walk of Constitution Avenue, some new signs, based on a recent theme, were present among parish banners and Knights of Columbus "Stop Abortion Now" signs. "Yes We Can... Terminate Abortion!", "Save a life, Yes We Can!" and "It's Time for Change in Roe v. Wade" were just a few that took our newly elected president's slogans and turned them toward Life.

Estimates on the number of participants in this year's event have ranged from tens of thousands to nearly two-hundred thousand. Some reports, however, have indicated that the march's numbers may be down this year for a couple of reasons.

First, the economy has obviously made it harder for a number of people to find the necessary funds to attend. A second and very unique problem involved the scarcity of tour buses in many cities. These vehicles were not available as they were returning from Washington with attendees from the inaugural celebration.

Many at the march had a message they wanted to send to the new president and congress. Josephine Pope of Raleigh, North Carolina wanted them to know that a lot of prayer is going up on their behalf, that they will change their position on the sanctity of life. Putting feet to her convictions, Ms. Pope indicated that she has written them letters and has also enrolled the President in a year of prayer at a daily Mass.

Bruce Gnatowski of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Potomac Falls, Virginia wants to be sure the President knows that thousands of people do not want the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) even introduced by Congress.

As thousands of pro-life witnesses arrived at the Supreme Court building, many walked to the fence manned by the Capitol Police where they stopped to pray. Others joined in one of the many Rosaries being offered or stood in solidarity with the men and women of silent no more. Prayers and exhortations to the crowd came from those carrying bullhorns.

I asked some children what they wanted to tell the President on this special day. They said, "We want to tell him that a person's a person no matter how small!"

For those at the front of the parade, their journey back to their buses took place about the same time that others had just begun to march up Constitution Avenue toward Capitol Hill. Their march is not really over. We are all just beginning again. It's a new day and the battle has begun once more as we march each day for life!

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor and Home and Family Editor for Catholic Online. Randy is also a communications specialist. He and his wife live in the growing area referred to as the "Washington, D.C. Metroplex".

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