That Other Event on the Mall: Marching for Life

Though a level of magnitude smaller, the week’s second largest gathering on the National Mall is in some ways more impressive. For the 35th consecutive year, tens of thousands gathered on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (Jan. 22nd) to plead for a culture of life in America.

The winter sun shined brightly on this march, but the weather makes little difference. A Washington weekday in January will never be the opportune time for a mass demonstration, but many there this year have stood in sleet and snow before. Neither were the crowds drawn in by a charismatic young leader with a rhetorical flair; this event is made possible by a dedicated octogenarian who rambles when given the microphone. What then makes hundreds want to ride all night in a bus from Kansas? A fundamental conservative value that under girds humane society: the most vulnerable deserve protection.

Those who respect this concept, and those who respect American democracy, were dealt a major blow when the Supreme Court decided it could act as a legislature of 9 in 1973. At the time, I was living in Texas, having been conceived just a month or so before. While my mother’s circumstances (about to move to a trailer park far from home) might have led others to take advantage of this new right, my birth was blessedly welcomed. The vast majority of those on the Mall Thursday, however, were not alive when Roe was announced.

The crowd is young and energetic and many see life as an issue that reaches beyond just abortion. Several signs called for a “whole life” or “pro-all-life” ethic with allusions to environmentalism and other human rights tragedies like Darfur. The most thoughtful politicians on life matters, such as New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, have been strong on all of these issues too. My own desire to protect God’s creation has deep pro-life roots and so my sign proclaimed: “Protect them in the Womb. Protect the World for Them.”

As Republicans search for a way forward, some will call for a de-emphasis on social issues, but the GOP, which liberated slaves and those oppressed by communism, should never forget our Nation’s founding principles---Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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