We March On

Through adapted demonstrations and virtual participation, pro-lifers stand up for the dignity of all human life

Pro-life advocates, including Knights of Columbus and their families, marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade for the 48th consecutive year, while adapting and limiting events in the midst of public health and security concerns.

In place of the usual March for Life in Washington, D.C., a small group of pro-life leaders participated in a symbolic march through the city on Jan. 29, one week after the anniversary of Roe. The U.S. Supreme Court decision legalized abortion Jan. 22, 1973, and the first national march was held in peaceful protest one year later. Though there were no massive crowds this year, the 2021 march was marshaled, as it has been for decades, by Knights of Columbus from the Washington area.

Thousands of others were able to participate virtually in the March for Life and related events, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Prayer Vigil for Life and the annual rally, via livestream and television.

Local pro-life demonstrations — in many cases, car caravans or scaled-down marches — still took place throughout the month of January in cities across the country.

In her closing remarks to the virtual rally, March for Life President Jeanne Mancini emphasized the importance of this widespread, grassroots activism for life.

“As hostility toward life in Washington increases,” she said, “these state-by-state efforts become even more vital for the success of our cause to end abortion.”