36th Annual Pro–Life Gathering in D.C.

Special Report - January 22, 2009
Today, over 200,000 Americans are expected to gather in the nation’s capital for the 36th consecutive March for Life to protest the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Since 1973, over 50 million American children have been killed by abortions. The first March for Life was held in 1974, drawing 20,000 participants. The theme for this year’s March for Life is “Remember, the Life Principles mean ‘Equal Care’ with No Exceptions!”

The March begins with a rally on the Mall and then makes its way down Constitution Avenue past the U.S. Capitol building and ends in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. The March concludes with post-abortive women sharing their stories on the steps of the Supreme Court as a part of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign. A Convention to “uncover abortion evils, put a human face on post-abortion suffering, and point toward a prolife culture” was held at the Hyatt-Regency Washington on Capitol Hill Wednesday. Wednesday evening included the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Catholic churches in the Triangle alone chartered 14 buses for members of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh to attend the March. North Carolina Bishops Michael Burbidge and Peter Jugis will celebrate Mass at 11:30am on the main altar of the National Shrine. The 2,500 seats were easily filled by North Carolina Catholics last year.

In addition, on January 24, the nation’s largest gathering of pro-life students will take place at Catholic University of America during Students for Life of America’s (SFLA) 22nd Annual Pro-Life Conference. Over 750 students will attend the second sold out Conference in as many years. It will provide opportunities for student training and networking in addition to showcasing “groups such as Feminists for Life, Concerned Women of America, Eagle Forum, the Family Research Council, National Right to Life, the Alliance Defense Fund, and many others.” SFLA serves over 480 pro-life student groups nationwide, including at least five North Carolina college campuses—Belmont Abbey, Campbell University, Duke, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Copyright © 2009. North Carolina Family Policy Council. All rights reserved.