Weather Doesn't Dampen Pro-Life Spirit: No Exception, No Compromise!

Thousands upon Thousands of Pro-Lifers took to the streets of Washington on Friday. The next step is to change the hearts of those who govern there.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Despite forecasts for rain, freezing rain and sleet, an estimated 300,000 pro-life advocates took to the streets of Washington DC again today, January 22, 2010, to mark the 37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This 37th March, founded by Nellie Gray who still heads up the event, had as its theme "Stand Up Now -- Unite for the Life Principles -- No Exception! No Compromise!"

Gray, now 84, talked about the theme with those who stood in the cold and blustery weather as she opened the rally, "We will gather again next year for another March for Life and we want to be able to celebrate the great things we accomplished in the past year."

During the rally preceding the March, Dr. John Bruchalski, head of the Tepeyac Family Clinic and founder of Divine Mercy Care, challenged the crowd to take action based on their convictions. "Please don't give lip service to the cause of life or your Lord," he said.

A group that has taken greater prominence each year at the March, since their inception, has been the Silent No More Campaign. Each year the rally stage fills with more women who have chosen to speak out and tell the truth - "I regret my abortion."

Georgette Forney, co-founder of the Campaign and head of Anglicans for Life, told this year's participants, "We are speaking out to honor the lives of our children." As she shared with the crowd, her voice broke many times as she shared about the horror of an abortion. "For us, abortion is a personal matter. No one can tell us we don't understand."

At the Silent No More rally in front of the Supreme Court Building after the March, Forney pointed out the importance of their presence. "Critics of the pro-life movement have often said, 'Where are the women speaking out on this issue?' Well, here we are!"

The Marchers were in heightened spirits during the March, shouting familiar themes, such as, "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Roe v Wade has got to go!" A new song being sung by many groups came from the tune of Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey" hit of the early 70's, shouting, "Obama, Obama, Hey Hey, Choose Life."

Having attended the March for many years, one can never get over the feeling when you are walking up the hill on Maryland Avenue past the capitol building and look back to see the thousands more marching behind. While the front of the group reached the Supreme Court building around 3:00pm, those in the back finally reached the end of the route close to 4:30pm.

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Again this year, the event was dominated by the young. Young men and women were present from literally all over the country. One young woman from Kansas was talking to me in front of the Supreme Court building as Silent No More was beginning its rally. "My dad already left but we're still here!"

Ironically, Newsweek's Krista Gesaman, wrote in her blog this morning on the Newsweek site, "So this raises the question: where are the young, vibrant women supporting their pro-life or pro-choice positions? Likely, they're at home."

Her assumption was that a shorter route was to accommodate the aging crowd and few young people attend. She needs to get her facts straight and look out her window in Washington at the crowds walking by.

Gesaman has obviously never attended a March and looked at the energetic faces of all the young women who not only walk but sing, carry signs, and pray for the end of abortion.

In talking with Fr. Frank Pavone, of Priests for Life, at the end of the March, he indicated great joy that after so many years people are not giving up. In fact, there seems to be an increase in passion as well as involvement.

Janet Morana, Executive Director of Priests for Life and co-founder of the Silent No More campaign, was delighted with this year's event. "We printed 45,000 signs," Morana said, speaking of their new signs "Women DO Regret Abortion," and "Men Regret Lost Fatherhood."

"We shipped 42,000 of them around the country to groups that would be coming to this March as well as other activities," Morana went on to say. "We brought the rest of them here and gave them out this morning."

Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats for Life, told me that the vote in the House on health care underscored the unity among pro-life democrats for the cause of the unborn. "We have incredible unity right now with 64 votes solidly committed to standing for life."

Gregory McKinney, of Virginia Democrats for Life, enthusiastically agreed. "We want to show Democrats that pro-choice is not the golden key in politics... We are present and active in our conventions, constantly working for change in the platform of the party."

As marchers approached the Supreme Court building and the end of the March, many broke into small groups, praying the rosary and other prayers. In the distance, the joyful praise songs from a group of young men and women could be heard. And from a platform in front of the steps of the Supreme Court, women would come - one-by-one - to a microphone and publicly declare their regret for having an abortion.

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The lie of abortion was not birthed in that building, but there it was baptized as the law of the land. 50 million children have been killed since that date; one-third of a generation. Nothing will change unless people act upon the challenge laid before them today, "Stand Up Now -- Unite for the Life Principles -- No Exception! No Compromise!"

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church in 2006. He has been a pro-life advocate and activist for many years.

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