Thousands of people attended the annual March for Life, joined by high-profile advocates and speakers, in Washington, D.C., on the third Friday in January, to oppose abortion amid a massive snowstorm that blanketed the city.
The March for Life is an annual event held since 1974, the year after the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, to rally anti-abortion activism across the United States, with attendees marching from the National Mall up toward the United States Capitol Complex.
“I am, myself, the product of an unplanned pregnancy. In January of 1972, exactly one year before Roe v. Wade, my parents, who were just teenagers at the time, chose life, and I am very profoundly grateful that they did,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, who addressed the gathering before the march began. “America is the only nation in the world founded upon a creed … listed with theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence … all men are created equal, not born equal, [but] created equal.”
Johnson was among several members of Congress and prominent individuals in attendance, which included Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, the University of Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, former National Football League tight end Benjamin Watson as well as three-time Grammy nominee Danny Gokey, who performed the national anthem at the event.
“[I’m pro-life] for the sanctity of life. You know, we all talk about human rights. There’s really no rights that are important unless you have the right to life,” said Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to victory in the 2024 College Football Championship, to the Daily Caller News Foundation backstage. “There are [pro-life players] on our team, too.”
Signs and slogans of several varieties were exhibited by participants in the march as they moved toward the Supreme Court. Many held signs reading “I Am The Pro-Life Generation,” “Let Their Hearts Beat” and “Make More Babies,” as well as other creative banners — with themes ranging from Dr. Seuss to Winnie the Pooh — while others held up crucifixes or waved flags with the names of their schools, colleges and hometowns.
Upon reaching the Supreme Court, march attendees concluded their demonstrations before dispersing in the afternoon. Several receptions were hosted by members of Congress at the Capitol complex for delegations from their states, while others dispersed to various anti-abortion parties hosted across the city.
“It’s been very smooth,” said Thomas Manger, the chief of the United States Capitol Police, to the DCNF after the march, whose organization was joined by hundreds of police officers from Maryland and Virginia for support. “This is typically a march that goes on without too many issues … occasionally there are counter-protesters but [that] didn’t seem to be an issue today.