History

The first MARCH FOR LIFE was held on January 24, 1974 on the west steps of the capitol, with an estimated 20,000 supporters in attendance.

During the 33rd annual MARCH FOR LIFE in 2006, the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito to the Supreme Court caused a major positive shift, because of the expectation that Alito would “win Senate approval and join a majority in overturning Roe.”

Around the time of the 35th annual MARCH FOR LIFE in 2008, a Guttmacher Institute report was released, which revealed that the number of abortions performed in the United States dropped to 1.2 million in 2005. This was the lowest level of abortions since 1976. Although this seemed like a victory, many march participants stressed that the figures were not a large enough decline. Many marchers said they would not stop protesting until abortions were illegal.

During the 2009 MARCH FOR LIFE, the threat of passage by the 111th Congress of the Freedom of Choice Act—a bill that would “codify Roe v. Wade” by declaring a fundamental right to abortion and lifting many restrictions on abortion—served as a key rallying point, because pro-lifers worried that the legislation would eliminate certain abortion restrictions like parental notification for minors and repeal the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

From year to year, phrases on signs at the march have included “We Choose Life”, “End Abortion Now”, “Your Mom Chose Life”, “Give Life, Don’t Take It”, “Defend Life”, “Women Deserve Better Than Abortion”, “Michigan Loves Our Pro-Life President”, “Respect Life, Diocese of Pittsburgh”, “Abortion Kills”, “Stop Unborn Child Abuse”, and “Equal Rights for Unborn Women”. Others compared abortions to “Hitler’s Holocaust”. Many sing and chant phrases such as “Pro-choice, that’s a lie, babies never choose to die!”

Itinerary

The MARCH FOR LIFE proceedings begin around noon. They typically consist of a rally at the National Mall near Fourth Street. It is followed by THE MARCH which travels down Constitution Avenue NW, turns right at First Street and then ends on the steps of the Supreme Court of the United States, where another rally is held. Many protesters start the day by delivering roses and lobbying members of Congress.

Attendance

Since 2003, the MARCH FOR LIFE has consistently brought in around 250,000 attendees every year.

Approximately 5,000 participated in the 14th annual march in 1987, despite a snowstorm. Many teenagers and college Young Adults attend the march each year, typically traveling with church/youth groups. Washington Post columnist Robert McCartney estimated that about half of the marchers are under age 30.

All of the foregoing was quoted from Wikipedia.com

January 25, 2013 marked the 40th anniversary of ROEvWADE. It was reported that 650,000 people amassed and marched on the capitol, one of the LARGEST attended marches.

You, by your witness in DC, can help make 2017 another successful event. Come and stand shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of thousands who believe as you do. Bring your youth, your youthful enthusiasm and your passion for life & join us on the Red Eye bus or the Overnight bus to Washington DC.