January 18, 2019 was the 46th annual March for Life. The March for Life is a peaceful demonstration that gathers every year in Washington, D.C.and is the largest event in the pro-life movement. “We have marched for life every year since 1974; we will not let rain, snow, or a government shutdown stop us.” (Marchforlife.org)
What is March for Life?
March for Life is an annual, peaceful demonstration supporting the Pro-life movement. Each year, since 1974, thousands of Americans gather in Washington, D.C. in support of Pro-life, March for Life, and to peacefully show their standpoint on abortion and why it shouldn’t be legal.
Roe v.s. Wade
In 1970, “Jane Roe” (which was a name given to the plaintiff to protect their identity, Norma McCorvey), filed a court case against the district attorney of Dallas county Texas, Henry Wade. McCorvey believed that it was her right to terminate a pregnancy. At the end of the court case on January 22, 1973 the Supreme Court decided that it was legal to end a pregnancy, or have an abortion. From that point, there was an idea to start a campaign to ban abortion in all 50 states. People that are against abortion are referred to as Pro-lifers as the name of the campaign is called the Pro-Life campaign.
The History of March for Life
On January 22, 1994 thousands of pro-life supporters came together for the first March for Life to speak for the unborn. It took place exactly one year after the Supreme Court made abortion legal in all 50 states. Nellie Gray was the founder of the March for life. Her initial plan was that the march would be a one time thing. But soon after the first march, it was apparent that congress wasn’t going to protect the unborn any time soon.
So instead of not doing anything more, Nellie decided to make the March for Life an annual event until Roe v.s. Wade was overturned. Ever since then, the March has happened every January and it will continue until abortion is banned.
March for Life 2019
As stated earlier, this year was the 46th March for Life. March for Life has 30 sponsors that provide the means to have the rally each year. There were many speakers that attended the March this year some of which you may be familiar with. The speakers include Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), and State Representative Katrina Jackson (D-LA), Vice President Mike Pence, and many others. The Christian Music band Sidewalk Prophets performed for the start of the rally.
President Donald Trump also made a speech via satellite video. In his speech, he vowed to support the opponents of abortion rights and veto any legislation that “weakens the protection of human life.” Vice President Mike Pence is the first Vice President to speak at the March for Life personally. He is also the highest-ranking government official to attend the March.
Interview with Heartbeat Community Services Board Member, Wyatt Taylor
Wyatt Taylor is one of the board members at Heartbeat Community Services in Millerstown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Taylor is also the pastor of Turkey Valley United Methodist Church. He, along with others from Heartbeat community services have been going to the March for Life since 2013.
Q. What is Heartbeat Community Services and what do they represent?
Heartbeat Community Services was established in 1985 by a group of non-denominational Christians. The group was concerned by the lack of available alternatives to abortion in Perry and Juniata Counties. Their desire was to open a pregnancy center, provide resources to pregnant mothers, and to be a source of information for the community on the issues of pro-life. Heartbeat never advises, refers, or provides for abortions. Heartbeat is committed to providing whatever support is necessary so that mothers carry their babies to term. Heartbeat can offer these services because volunteers give of their time, donations are made by people who care, and generous financial gifts are given by churches and individuals.
Q. What does Heartbeat Community Services do?
Heartbeat is fully committed to providing whatever support is necessary so that mothers may carry their babies to term. A variety of free services are provided including:
Confidential counseling by trained volunteers
Free pregnancy test kits
Maternity clothes, baby clothes, and supplies to anyone presenting need
Prenatal and childbirth education information
School and community education resources on chastity, pro-life issues, and related topics
Heartbeat is committed to providing abstinence education resources online and in the classroom in Perry and Juniata Counties. Heartbeat employs an Abstinence Coordinator who works with the various School Districts and teacher to implement the program at the Middle and High School levels. The Abstinence Education Program is made possible by generous financial gifts received through our Baby Bottle Fundraising Project.
Q. What is your standpoint on abortion?
(Mr. Taylor’s opinion, not Heartbeat, though Heartbeat is Pro-Life and anti-abortion)
As a follower of Jesus, I believe that life is sacred because God created humanity in His own image (Imago Dei [image of God]). We don’t bear a sanctity or worth that comes from ourselves, rather God chose to set us apart as a special part of His creative order. As human beings, we bear His image unlike any other part of his creation. Life is sacred, it is a blessing and a gift from God. Having established this foundation, it’s impossible for me to say that a little two-year-old sitting on someone’s lap is of sacred worth, without also saying that an 11-week-old tiny, little baby in the womb is also of sacred worth. I realize there are a variety of arguments over when life begins, but I believe life begins when fertilization occurs. At that moment, a new organism is created. Not just any organism, but a unique human being who deserves to live. A life with worth and value. I believe that abortion is the murdering of an innocent life; a life that has no voice. The unborn are the innocents, and although they are separate persons, they have been denied their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Abortion truly is a tragedy of epic proportions. Although it is difficult to imagine, according to the most recently released statistics from the CDC, there were 638,169 legal induced abortions in the US. There were 188 abortions for every 1000 live births. Although the reported numbers showed a slight decrease from the previous year, over 630,000 innocent lives lost is nothing less than a national tragedy. It’s a tragedy that has played out like this since the controversial Roe vs. Wade decision of 1972. With over 630,000 abortions performed in 2015, and 784,000 in 2009, it’s difficult to comprehend how many millions of lives have been ended in the womb. Ultimately, I would like to see the controversial Roe vs. Wade Decision overturned by the Supreme Court. My prayer is that this barbaric procedure is outlawed, but as we continue to fight this battle, it would be good to see the issue back in the hands of the states. Individual states and the people of those states would be the decision makers in terms of rights and restrictions as opposed to the mandate of the Federal Government.
Q. Do encourage people to take part in the March for Life?
I encourage people personally to attend the March for Life and we also do at Heartbeat Community Services. As you may have found out in your research, the March for Life is the world’s largest pro-life gathering. There isn’t anything like it anywhere else in the world. We feel it’s an opportunity to stand up and be a voice for the innocents, for the babies in the womb, who have no voices. The March for Life provides an opportunity for us not only to be those voices, but also to add our voices to hundreds of thousands of others voices from all over the nation. We are voices advocating for change, but we’re also voices advocating for someone other than ourselves. It’s an amazing experience. I came to the Board of Heartbeat in 2012 and the March for Life was something on my heart and it had been on the heart of many on the Board for quite a few years. I had previous experience at the March for Life during my time as a Youth Director so I immediately volunteered to lead the first bus trip sponsored by Heartbeat in 2013. I am so thankful to share that our 2019 trip was the first year we have ever been able to completely offset the cost for teens to attend the March with us. We were able to do so through various fundraising efforts throughout the past year. We want to do everything we can to encourage and enable teens to be a part of this “pro-life generation”.
What can you do
Life is a precious thing. We need to protect it and speak for those who don’t yet have a voice. There are so many ways that you can get involved in Pro-life and the fight against abortion. Below is a link where you can visit the March for Life website and make a donation to the cause, or learn how you can get involved. Click here to visit the website.
Here are some pictures and links to videos from the 2019 Rally:
Citations:
**This Article does not reflect the views and opinions of Greenwood High School and The Paw Print**
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