The 49th annual March for Life took place on Jan. 21, at the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Although there was overcast, freezing winds and 20 degree temperatures; the students of Benedictine College continued the tradition of marching from National Mall to the steps of the Supreme Court.
The theme of this year’s march was, “Equality begins in the Womb.”
For some, this march was the first that they experienced.
Michael and John Hickey are twin brothers that are members of the Diocese of Fort Wayne South Bend. They also attend Mt. St. Mary Seminary in Maryland. They were humbled and felt tremendous emotion to be there.
“We are all fighting the same fight. It does not matter who you are, but you are all united in loving God’s creation,” Michael said.
“Seeing the view of everyone’s faith here is inspiring. The community here with the other uniting for a purpose. It shows that we are one, catholic and apostolic faith,” John said.
Others go against the normal standards of their political party to stand up for the unborn.
Kristen Day is a member of the Pro-Life Democrats. Her group believes in the message “We believe in pro life for the whole life; from womb to tomb.”
Day has attended the march for twenty years, ever since she became pregnant with her first child. Recently, she testified in front of a New Jersey sub committee regarding the many opportunities women are given with abortion and not for helping carry the child to term.
“It’s a difficult path to walk down. We need to make this a bi partisan issue and not one sided. One party cannot do it by themselves,” Day said.
While the majority of people marching to support the pro life message, there were those (although very few) who were pro choice.
While she declined to give her last name, Rachel calls D.C. home after growing up in Santa Monica, California.
Rachel is pro choice is because she believes that it is no one’s business with what the woman does with her body except the woman and the healthcare provider.
“Dialogue and respect are important,” she said.
She believes in setting differences aside.
“At the end of the day we are all human. There is something that transcends politics and it is the relationship and friendship. More people need to have that attitude, “ Rachel said.
Benedictine College students traveled on a 24 hour bus ride to attend the March. m
Paul Krebs is a freshman, but this year is the 11th time that he has attended the March.
A Maryland native, Krebs sees this march having more impact than previous years
“The march had a more hopeful attitude because Roe v. Wade may get overturned in the near future.”
Krebs believes that pro life supporters need to be fighting for every life.
“Even after there is a significant victory, we still need to march for life. This is a good pilgrimage for anyone to experience and support this good cause.”
