Pro-Life Action League banner at the 2014 March for Life
The Pro-Life Action League was honored to participate in the 41st annual March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s tragic Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton rulings. The League was represented at the March by founders Ann and Joe Scheidler, staff members John Jansen, Matt Yonke and Peter Scheidler, and me.
Standing Ovation for Joe at Youth Rally
The afternoon before the March, it was my great privilege to serve as emcee for the official March for Life Youth Rally, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Speakers included pro-life greats like Fr Frank Pavone, Troy Newman, Lila Rose, Abby Johnson, Pat Mahoney, Ryan Bomberger and many more.
The highlight of the event for me was a standing ovation for my father Joe when he got up on stage to rally the crowd of over 2,000 young pro-lifers. He urged each one of them to listen to how God is calling them to take and active role in the fight to end abortion.
I’m grateful for the League’s participation in this event, including providing a copy of the new fifth edition of our Sharing the Pro-Life Message handbook to every single attendee.
Coldest March for Life Ever
League staff faced bitter cold the next day for the March for Life. Temperatures were in the teens, with wind chills below zero, but the enthusiasm from the huge pro-life crowd helped to warm our hearts.
For the second year straight, the League processed with a huge banner reading, “Stand Up for Religious Freedom,” over the image of one of the hundreds of rallies we organized in 2012 against the HHS Mandate, which forces employers to provide free contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs.
Though the bitter cold and heavy snowstorms drove down attendance at this year’s March for Life—with countless flights and bus trips canceled—it was an inspiring and encouraging event all the same. I’m sure all who faced the cold to stand up for the sanctity of life would agree.
