The March for Life

The March For Life is an annual event in Washington D.C. commemorating one of the most controversial events in modern American history: the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Following its approval in 1973, over sixty million abortions have been conducted in the United States.  The number of attendants at the march depends upon the year, but this year it was conservatively estimated at 100,000 attendants.  Notably, this was the first March For Life since Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade and an early supporter of the pro-life movement, died in early 2017.  President Trump gave a speech at this year’s march, the first time a president has ever done so.  This year’s march was a testament to the vitality of the modern pro-life movement. In addition to the excellent attendance, the marchers present were enthusiastic and youthful – more than half of marchers were under the age twenty-five.  Similar marches were held across the United States, including one in Concord, New Hampshire.  Over forty years after the decision, Americans remain split nearly evenly on the issue of abortion.  According to Gallup, 46% are pro-life and 49% are pro-choice.  Only a few decades ago, pro-choicers outnumbered pro-lifers by a 20% margin.  However, significant advocacy has bolstered the pro-life movement, and the “Pro-Life Generation” has continued to grow.  Whether this trend will continue into the future remains to be seen, but many pro-life groups feel confident that battle against abortion is a winnable one.