Tens of thousands of pro-life advocates turned out for the 52nd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, to protest the permissive abortion laws that exist in many states — laws enacted before or since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Among the thousands of signs that dotted the National Mall and streets of Washington were K of C “Love Life, Choose Life” signs, carried by Knights, their families and thousands of others. The event began with the peaceful protestors congregating near the Washington Monument for the pre-March rally at noon.
The theme of this year’s March — “Life: Why We March” — was a simple reminder of the basic truths supporting the pro-life movement, explained Jeanne Mancini, outgoing president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. As she looked out at the National Mall filled with cheering marchers, Mancini offered a warm welcome, encouraging each person to think about and share their own reasons for participating.
“At the March for Life, we’re in the business of changing hearts and minds. Our goal is to make abortion unthinkable,” she said. “Your stories will help us reach that goal. Why are you here? Why are you pro-life? Each of you has a reason and when you share that reason your witness makes a difference.”
Following an opening prayer led by Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, the rally featured a wide range of speakers, including prominent lawmakers, pro-life activists, religious leaders and medical professionals.
Delivering keynote remarks was Bethany Hamilton, a mother of four and a professional surfer, who lost her left arm in a shark attack at age 13. Reflecting on her own experiences of pain and despair, Hamilton urged marchers to be the heralds of hope and encouragement to women facing the difficulties of unplanned pregnancies.
“When I lost my arm, someone came alongside of me and gave me hope. They reminded me of God’s love and that maybe there was more to my life,” Hamilton shared. Women experiencing crisis pregnancies “need light in their life and we as a society need to combat the lies,” she continued. “Let us be a message of hope … so they can say to themselves, ‘I don’t need easy; I just need possible.’”
Mancini, who has served as president since 2012 and will continue to serve on the March for Life board of directors, thanked the marchers for their continued support and witness to life before formally introducing her successor: Jennie Bradley Lichter. A Catholic mother, a lawyer and a longtime advocate for the sanctity of human life in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Lichter will assume her new role on Feb. 1.
Addressing the March for Life rally for the first time, Lichter advised each person to act immediately to build communities committed to life.
“When you get home, take a few minutes to get to know the resources available in your area for pregnant women who need a hand, because you never know when someone in your life might confide in you about an unexpected pregnancy,” she said. “Be ready to be the voice telling them that they are strong enough.”
In a pre-recorded video message, newly inaugurated President Donald Trump said his administration “will again stand proudly for families and for life.”
Vice President JD Vance, making his first public appearance since taking the oath of office, delivered the rally’s final speech.
“Now the task of our movement is to protect innocent life,” he said. “It’s to defend the unborn and it’s also to be pro-family and pro-life in the fullest sense of that word possible. … We need a culture that celebrates life at all stages.”
The joyful energy of the March for Life is fueled each year by the thousands of young people who come with their families, their schools and their colleges to promote the right to life. This year, college Knights from George Washington University, The Catholic University of America, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and other schools were among the marchers walking to the Supreme Court building.
Andrew Hodgson, chairman of the College Councils Advisory Board and grand knight of University of Wisconsin-Madison Council 6568, led the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the rally, honored to represent his fellow college Knights from around the country.
“It’s clear that the Holy Spirit is present here, and that the mission of the people marching for life is one of love and hope,” said Hodgson, whose council received the Outstanding College Council Award in 2022 in part due to its support of a local pregnancy resource center. “The energy was just unmatched. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
A recent convert to Catholicism and a first-time participant at the March for Life, Hodgson said the Knights “allows a pathway to profess my faith in a public manner, in such a way that it also uplifts the whole community. … I’ll be back to march, and as long as I’m back, it’ll be as a representative of the Knights.”
Across the United States, life-saving support for women and their babies is available at over 3,400 community-based pregnancy resource centers, many of them supported by the Knights. Since 2022, Knights in the U.S. and Canada have raised nearly $14 million to support pregnancy resource centers through the Order’s ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program. Knights have also funded the purchase of more than 1,900 ultrasound machines, which give mothers the opportunity to see their unborn babies.
“Helping vulnerable women and children is in the Knights’ DNA,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, who participated in the march with his family, other Supreme Officers and members of the board of directors. “Today, vulnerable women and their babies deserve support and life-affirming care — not the cruel physical and psychological realities that accompany an abortion.”
Since the Dobbs decision, abortion access laws are primarily determined by individual state legislation and court rulings. Although 12 states have banned abortion, with limited exceptions, abortion is permitted in all other states, with varying levels of restrictions. There are nine states currently permitting elective abortion at any stage of pregnancy.
However, pro-life advocates maintain an optimistic outlook on developing a culture of life in America. The most recent Marist Poll conducted in partnership with the Knights of Columbus in early January showed that a consistent majority of Americans continue to support legal limits on abortion and that 83% of Americans support pregnancy resource centers.
“The effort to change hearts and minds about abortion is far from over,” Supreme Knight Kelly said. “The Knights of Columbus’ mission to support vulnerable mothers in need and their children will continue to guide our work, as we remind our nation’s lawmakers at every level that life is a sacred and precious gift worth protecting.”