March for Life Returns to Washington: What to Look for When Anti-Abortion Activists Gather

March for Life Returns to Washington: What to Look for When Anti-Abortion Activists Gather
People participating in the March for Life walk past the Supreme Court, Jan. 19, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Thousands of anti-abortion activists are coming to Washington Friday for the annual March for Life, seeking to build momentum after a string of victories and maintain pressure on legislators. After decades of fighting to overturn Roe v. Wade, organizers are seeking to focus on the multiple state-by-state battles taking place over abortion rights.

Here’s what to know about the 52nd March for Life:

What’s the Expected Turnout?

Organizers have estimated around 150,000 marchers — and previous years in the March for Life’s 52-year history have certainly drawn those kinds of numbers. But the turnout may be limited by continued harsh winter weather that already forced President Donald Trump’s inauguration indoors Monday. Attendance may also be impacted by a natural relaxation among abortion opponents after the historic June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade — which had guaranteed a nationwide right to abortion.

What’s the Post-Roe v. Wade Focus?

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, organizers and activists are focusing on the multiple state-level battles over abortion rights. As in the past, the march will start with a rally on the National Mall and end in the space separating the Capitol building from the Supreme Court. For decades, the protesters’ focus was on the courthouse, but now the main target is the domed complex across the street.

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, said there is still work to be done, despite the Supreme Court decision. “There’s no silver bullet to ending abortion,” she said. “The march now ends on the backside of the U.S. Capitol to remind our representatives that abortion is not only a state issue, but also a local issue and also a federal issue.”

Looking forward, Hawkins added that she would like to see Trump defund Planned Parenthood and put more government focus on making sure women with unplanned pregnancies have the resources to have the child, such as paid family leave and expanded child tax care credits.

Where Does the Trump Administration Stand?

Trump disappointed some hardcore abortion advocates in the campaign last year by refusing to back the idea of a federal abortion ban and opposing some of the harsher state-level bans. But Trump has claimed credit for the fall of Roe v. Wade since his three Supreme Court nominees in his first term swung the balance.

This should be a victory lap for Trump, who was out of office by the time Roe v. Wade was overturned. He’ll be out of town but is expected to address the rally via prerecorded video message, and Vice President JD Vance will be a featured speaker. Among his flurry of initial actions and orders this week, Trump on Thursday pardoned several activists who had been jailed for blockading a Washington abortion provider.

“This is a significant moment in history,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group SBA Pro-Life America. “Yes, we have a march every year, but this one is pretty special. We have just been through the first presidential election since the Dobbs decision. There is a trifecta of pro-life Republicans in the White House and the House and the Senate.”

A+
a-

In The News

Health

Voting

Abortion

Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Liberal Majority Strikes Down 176-Year-Old Abortion Ban

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority struck down the state’s 176-year-old abortion ban on Wednesday, ruling... Read More

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority struck down the state’s 176-year-old abortion ban on Wednesday, ruling 4-3 that it was superseded by newer state laws regulating the procedure, including statutes that criminalize abortions only after a fetus can survive outside the womb.... Read More

Missouri Lawmakers Approve Referendum to Repeal Abortion-Rights Amendment

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Six months after Missouri voters approved an abortion-rights amendment, Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday approved... Read More

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Six months after Missouri voters approved an abortion-rights amendment, Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday approved a new referendum that would seek the amendment's repeal and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape an incest. The newly proposed constitutional amendment would... Read More

Maryland Gov. Moore Signs Bill to Tap Unused ACA Insurance Funds for Abortion Grant Program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland will become the first state to use money collected from a surcharge on insurance plans... Read More

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland will become the first state to use money collected from a surcharge on insurance plans sold under the Affordable Care Act to fund a program to pay for abortions, regardless of a patient's insurance coverage, under a measure signed into law Tuesday by... Read More

Michigan Governor Candidate Says Miscarriage Prompted Her to Prioritize Reproductive Health Access

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Ahead of a nationally watched bid to become Michigan’s next governor, Democrat Jocelyn Benson is releasing a memoir this... Read More

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Ahead of a nationally watched bid to become Michigan’s next governor, Democrat Jocelyn Benson is releasing a memoir this month that includes her first public discussion of a miscarriage she had about eight years ago — an experience she says will shape her commitment to... Read More

Trump Administration Asks Judge to Toss Suit Restricting Access to Abortion Medication

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has asked a judge to toss out a lawsuit from three Republican-led states seeking... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has asked a judge to toss out a lawsuit from three Republican-led states seeking to cut off telehealth access to the abortion medication mifepristone. Justice Department attorneys on Monday stayed the legal course charted by the Biden administration, though they didn't... Read More

Abortions Resume in Missouri as GOP Lawmakers Strategize Possible Repeal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Abortions resumed in Missouri over the weekend following a ruling blocking regulations that clinics said made it... Read More

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Abortions resumed in Missouri over the weekend following a ruling blocking regulations that clinics said made it impossible to provide abortions despite a new constitutional amendment for reproductive rights, officials confirmed Tuesday. Emily Wales, the president and CEO of a Kansas City Planned Parenthood clinic,... Read More

News From The Well
scroll top