Thousands of pro-life supporters will gather on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., today for the 50th annual March for Life—the first such gathering in the post-Roe v. Wade era. BGEA President and CEO Franklin Graham will deliver the closing prayer at the rally before marchers begin walking from the Lincoln Memorial to the space between the Capitol and Supreme Court in what is billed as the world’s largest human rights demonstration.
The theme of this year’s March for Life is “Next Steps: Marching into a Post-Roe America.”
“With Roe now behind us,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, “we are empowered to save countless innocent American lives by continuing to advocate for commonsense protections at the state and federal level, educating Americans on the intrinsic dignity of all human life.
“This year will be a somber reminder of the millions of lives lost to abortion in the past 50 years, but also a celebration of how far we have come and where we as a movement need to focus our effort as we enter this new era in our quest to protect life.”
Last summer’s Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe, which had stood since 1973 and made abortion on demand legal in all 50 states. The ruling returned abortion regulation back to the states, where it stood before Roe.
Among the speakers for this year’s March for Life Rally (at noon Eastern time) are former NFL head coach Tony Dungy and his wife, Lauren; Dr. Christina Francis, CEO-elect of the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in “The Chosen” series; Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch; Reps. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey) and Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana); Gina Tomes of Bethlehem House maternity home; and Franklin Graham.
Franklin, via Twitter, asked for prayer leading up to this year’s March.
“In just THREE days, thousands of Americans will be in Washington, DC, for the @March_for_Life. Would you pray that this event will help open minds and hearts to the importance of standing for and protecting life? I’m looking forward to being there!”
The March for Life Rally will be livestreamed on the March for Life website as well as its Facebook and YouTube channels, and on CSPAN. The March will begin on the National Mall following the rally.
Photo: Two young women hold signs at last year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C.
David K. Morrison ©2022 BGEA