News

WASHINGTON, January 25, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Arriving at the ellipse in front of the White House yesterday at noon on a cold winter day, your LifeSiteNews.com reporters were greeted by a familiar contingent of Canadians waiting to be interviewed by the EWTN television crew covering the March for Life. 

After the thunderous applause and whoops of the approximately 150,000 marchers responding to the President’s encouraging words, the atmosphere was set for a memorable occasion. 

Nellie Gray, President of the March for Life Fund, introduced Congressmen and Senators, religious leaders and activists who stirred in the crowd sentiments of hope and strength. 

Behind the speakers on the stage and thoughout the pre-march rally, a contingent of women held signs proclaiming that they regretted their abortions. After the speeches, to an unforgettable rendition of God Save America, the marchers turned to make their way to the Supreme Court. 

As the marchers got underway the press of this densely packed sea of determined humanity was felt. Walking, or even moving at all, was at first impeded by the huge mass of people trying to fit themselves into the eight lane width of Constitution Blvd. The mourning and yet also joyous, young, singing, chanting, praying and clapping participants went slowly forward to March for the human rights of their smallest, youngest and most helpless brothers and sisters. Young people clearly made up the largest percentage of the crowd.

The snow and slush were heavy in places and by the end the slush soaked shoes and boots and toes began to numb. 

The conversation, at times serious and somber, was for the most part joyful as the common love for the humanity of the unborn drew together the crowd of strangers into a family. 

While a family in spirit, the diversity of the participants was astounding. They expressed their pro-life beliefs with an amazing variety of songs, chants, prayers and a sea of signs. The beauty of the varied robes and vestments of the mostly youngish clergy and religious among the marchers was striking. 

Hundreds of black, brown, white and grey robes on priests and brothers, old and young, walking, praying and chanting were matched only by the groups of sisters in blue, white and black habits. And they all seemed very pleased to be part of this event with their lay people. Many pastors had obviously come with large contingents of their parishioners or congregations. 

The young people brought great enthusiasm and energy, a joy and yet a peace with the knowledge that, while youthful and full of spirit, these youths were not threatening, but envoys of peace, both in the womb and the world. 

Certain sights startled. A young fellow in his late teens with 30 inch-long spikes of dark hair and wearing a pro-life pin was seen speaking to a camera on the sidewalk. 

Three Jewish rabbis with long beards and traditional clothing and hats proudly held up signs noting that the Jewish faith and Scriptures forbade abortion. They were greeted with smiles, nods of approval and sometimes lavish praise from marchers. 

Particularly powerful was the scene when a large group of Roman Catholic seminarians praying the rosary passed the rabbis with thankful smiles and nods of greeting, thanks, approval, and even a felt kinship.  A man dressed like Jesus – with hair and beard to match – walked barefoot the entire route in the cold and snow, to the wonder of many. Yonge students carried large crosses.  Colourful, often very creative and unique, flags, banners, signs, hats and uniforms marking groups, parishes, congregations and schools from all over the country were proudly held high in the frigid air. Pro-life colleges announced the presence of students and staff at the march with huge, colorful banners. 

As the march neared its end, after trecking up the hill leading to the Supreme Court, one was able to turn and view the marchers for as far as the eye could see, taking up the full (in most places) eight lane road and the sidewalks on either side of majestic, wide Constitution Blvd. 

The indominatable Nellie Grey seemd to have bilocated herslf to the end point of the march, and was seen standing in the back of a pickup truck, microphone in hand again, constantly thanking the marchers as they passed by, for their sacrifice in completing the effort despite the cold weather and snow. She encouraged them to proceed on past the Supreme Court and visit their congressmen in the capital buildings just a bit further on. 

Prayers wafted to heaven from the crowd in various languages and from a multitude of faith expressions. 

Once at the Supreme Court, a band played with inspiring US army marching drum cadences. 

Our marching orders ring loud and clear, the march to save the lives of so many little ones has just begun.