Home Homepage Archive 2006 March for Life

This article was originally posted on the homepage on Jan 25, 2006.

Over 100,000 March for Life

A massive crowd in excess of 100,000 marched along Washington, DC's Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court building on Monday, January 23 in the 33rd Annual March for Life.

The day's events began with a rally on the National Mall that included such speakers as Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Bobby Schindler, brother of the late Terri Schiavo, and representatives of the Silent No More Awareness campaign, who spoke about the pain of their abortion experiences. President Bush addressed the crowd by telephone, reminding the marchers "that the strong have a duty to protect the weak, and that the self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence apply to everyone, not just to those considered healthy or wanted or convenient."

Iowa Teens in the Vanguard

Leading the March was a line of teens who held the March for Life banner, followed by dozens of women holding I Regret My Abortion signs. Behind them, a group of Orthodox Jews proudly held a Pro-Torah = Pro-Life placard.

A banner representing Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa—several of whose students attended Generations for Life's teen conference at the Iowa Right to Life state convention in 2004—was prominently displayed at the beginning of the long line of marchers.

Enthusiastic marchers chanted pro-life slogans, some sang hymns, and many carried pro-life signs and banners. One of the most ubiquitous signs proclaimed: Roe v. Wade: Indefensible.

The presence of teens and young adults—the largest perennial contingent at the March—was especially massive this year. Prior to the event, more than 22,000 of them filled the MCI Center for a Mass concelebrated by several Catholic bishops. The throng was so great that officials had to turn away latecomers.

Still Awaiting Justice from the High Court

The March concluded at the Supreme Court, site of the infamous 1973 Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions that stripped unborn Americans of their God-given right to life. League National Director Joe Scheidler had been hopeful that the Court would issue a ruling in Scheidler v. NOW on the morning of the March, but no decision was announced.

After the March concluded, the members of Silent No More Awareness campaign gathered at the steps of the Supreme Court. They held a press conference with testimonies on the grief and regret they have experienced because of abortion, lamenting the Roe v. Wade decision that has cost them so much.