How About a meeting of like minded FReepers at the March For Life on January 22?

Dr. Brian Kopp

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

I know there is a strong vocal contingent of pro-lifers here on Free Republic. Since I'm relatively new to FR this may have already been done, but would it be possible to meet other FReeper pro-lifers at one central location in Washington DC during the annual March For Life this year? I will be there as usual and I'm sure many of you will be there too. Lets coordinate plans here.

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

I don't have my entire pro-life ping list here on this computer. Feel free to ping like minded pro-lifers...

[Ligeia]

I've been many times in the past. It's too soon for me to know about this January 22. If we do march as a group, we might want a "Free Republicans for Life" banner, with permission.

[nd76]

I understand that a traditional Latin Mass is offered before the march (I am embarrassed that I have lived in the DC area for 25 years, but have never marched, because I let school or professional concerns get in the way--I intend to march this year--I went on my first protest to an abortion clinic this past weekend (it was a nice group of people who prayed the rosary along a busy highway outside an abortuary), and intend to make the march this year. Perhaps, assuming other FReepers who read this are Catholic, they might want to assist at the traditional Mass (I think it may be held in the Capitol Hill Hyatt Hotel on New Jersey Avenue, NW; I will find out more and post it).

[JenB]

I'm going with a group from my school, as long as I can get out of classes that day. I'd be happy to meet some FReepers, as long as this isn't just a Catholic thing. It's not, right?

[sauropod]

Count me in.

[Congressman Billybob]

Additional suggestion: FReepers seldom do positive FReeps, in support of, rather than opposed to, whatever group is meeting or activity is going on. I'm sure a number of FReepers will be attending the CPAC Meeting the end of January. How about a positive FReep at that?

Also, yer own Congresscritter and his great friend Phil Paleologos, will be covering the meeting with eight hours of live, call-in radio. The hours are daunting, 5-9 a.m. both days, but any Freepers who are bright-eyed and bushy tailed at that hour are invited to stop by he broadcast area at the headquarters hotel.

The broadcast area will be, I understand, open to the public. Come on down!

Congressman Billybob

Click and bookmark for fun in the morning. FReepers are invited to call in.

[Ligeia]

I'm afraid I don't know about the Latin Mass prior to the march. I'm not Catholic but I'm sure someone else will know the details and let us know.

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

Of course this isn't just a Catholic thing, no more than the March itself is "just a Catholic thing." This is a call to all who believe in God and call upon His name, asking for an end to the slaughter of His innocents.

I have had very enjoyable and fulfilling discussions with pro-lifers from all deniminations and faiths here, and I would truly like to meet some of them in DC.

[CounterCounterCulture]

There was at least eight of us Freepers there last year for the March (it was two days after the Inauguration, which made it convenient).

I'm on the left coast so I won't be there this year.

[patent]

A bump, apologize for any repeat bumps, for anyone who might be interested.

patent

[patent]

I suppose I should try that again.

patent

[dansangel]

Thanks for the bump. Unfortunately, we are not able to travel at that time. I promise prayers of support and look forward to being able to meet sometime in the future!

[Roscoe]

My best wishes go with you.

[ValerieUSA]

I've been several times to the March for Life in Olympia, Washington. A nicer crowd of activists you'll never see. A HUGE crowd, too, despite the TV coverage designed to show as few people as possible. It's a family affair - take your kids if you go.

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

Bumping (sorry for the redundancy, and let me know if you want on or off my list, thanks)

[katherineisgreat]

My church is taking a bus down. Where could all the FReepers meet? Where does the route start & Stop? I should be able to go.

[toenail]

"Of course this isn't just a Catholic thing, no more than the March itself is "just a Catholic thing." This is a call to all who believe in God and call upon His name, asking for an end to the slaughter of His innocents."

From last year. Why should the March for Life be Catholic? Or Christian? Why not just a March for Life?

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

I guess because it seems oxymoronic for those who partake in the Culture of Death to attend a march for the Culture of Life, but I do not know the background of the story to which you linked here. All who are pro-life should indeed attend.

[Aristophanes]

What a great idea! I for one have never been to the March for Life (though I've been to DC many, many times on other matters.) Question: is there a parish or some other church or something where we can stay overnight cheaply? I imagine that the hotels are pretty much booked that day.

This sounds like a great idea.

[Judith Anne]

A wonderful idea! I wish I could attend, but I cannot. I'll certainly pray for the March.

[.45MAN]

Thanks for the Bump, we are unable to be there but we will be praying for everyone ...

Abortion is a human offering to Satan

[nina0113]

Steve & I are coming, but probably not on the church buses this year, so we could get together at some point. It's a huge march though so we'd have to pick a very specific meeting place. Has anybody got info on the Latin Mass yet?

[victim soul]

I think it would be great for us to meet. I am from Rochester and we as Catholics get to The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception up on Michigan across the street from Catholic U around 6 a am. There is an 8 o'clock Mass with many Bishops and Cardinals and televised by ETWN.It is NOT a Latin Mass.

The place is swarming with people (mostly young and many religious ) who come in the night before and camp out in the Crypt area.

We have had great luck meeting with people at a declared Alcove - ours is the Chapel for Our Lady of Guadalupe for obvious reasons.

Another great meeting place is just outside the doors closest to the front altar on the right hand side facing the great altar.

Don't try to eat in their cafeteria. We stop at Union Station three or four stops after boarding the subway at Brookland?? the Catholic U stop down the hill from the Basilica.

I believe the speakers start at the Ellipse and/or the Washington Monument at Noon. The March begins around 1:30-2 p.m. goes up the Avenue and ends at the Supreme Court.

Another gathering spot that has been empty in the last 5 years is on the front steps of the Capitol -- with the Monument behind.

Hope to see you there.

It is the most encouraging, spiritual and unifying Pro-Life event of the year even though there is no press and few pols. There are no "incidents", there is no littering, the police just stand back and KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE.

May God move our President to come forward and say:

Yes, every human life is of value no matter how tiny.

May God move him to declare once and for all that we are a people who must DEFEND HUMAN LIFE no matter the political costs and no matter the expense.

May God move him to say for all the world to hear:

Yes, we are a people who by our example will light the torch of liberty for every human being from conception to natural death.

[victim soul]

FYI

[firebrand]

I would like to meet up with freepers before the march. Count me in.

The traditionalist service is not at St. Mary's---I just asked them. And they didn't know where it was. Can anyone in Washington call around and find out where the service is?

As far as cheap places to stay, like the floors of churches, I think they are all taken by this time. People sign up each year for the next year, apparently.

[Dumb_Ox]

Denver-area march information is located here.

Bump to Thanatos, who first got me down to the March some two years back.

[Salvation]

FReeper pro-lifers at one central location

Or anywhere----locals also need to see that there is a lot of support for life.

[Aquinasfan]

Sounds great to me. I usually come down on a church bus from Massachusetts but everyone pretty much goes their own way after Mass. (Any Catholics should try to make Mass at the National Cathedral. Beautiful)

It sure would be nice to march with some fellow Freepers!

(Funny story. On the way to the March a few years ago, I took a wrong turn and wound up in front of the Hotel where Starr was giving his first press conference regarding "the dress." It was a very Gumpish experience, since I was practically the only "civilian" there among hundreds of reporters. I was waving my pro-life sign around but I didn't make it on TV :-)

[big'ol_freeper]

Lil'freeper and I go every year....please include us in the Freeper group.

[victim soul]

BUMP

[Prov3456]

I'm a pro-life Methodist, and I plan to ride the bus caravan to DC from Missouri. Have a "Lifewatch" (the unofficial pro-life Methodist organization) board meeting to attend in addition to the March. How can we identify ourselves to each other?

[Prov3456]

I'm a pro-life Methodist, and I plan to ride in the bus caravan from MO to DC. Have a "Lifewatch" (the unofficial pro-life Methodist organization) board meeting to attend in the afternoon. How can we find each other?

[Prov3456]

Sorry for the double post. I'm new at this!

[ELS]

I am planning on participating in the March and would like to meet/march with other FReepers. Thanks for the flag, patent. nd76, please update us with information about the traditional Mass before the March.

It sounds like many are arriving and departing on the 22nd. I will be arriving the evening of the 21st and departing on the 23rd.

[ELS]

Will you be in the March for Life this year?

[Clinton's a liar]

Hiya, ELS! Yes, I'm planning to attend again this year. FReepmail me if you're coming and we'll definitely meet up!

[MudPuppy]

the MudPuppy family will be there.

Met Nina & Steve on the bus last year - I overheard them talking about the Count The Silverware Party and knew they must be Freepers.

Would love to meet up with fellow Freepers. I'll keep checking back here for someone to pick a spot :)

[Teacup]

Can I go with you and the others?

[ArGee]

Hey, Doc. I'd like to meet you there. When and where?

Shalom.

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

To all,

In years past, I have met up with friends at a little known monument on the ellipse. It is called the 2nd Division monument and it is between Constitution Ave and the Ellipse. This is what it looks like:

If you are standing at the rear of the Ellipse, facing the White House, with the Washington Monument to your rear, this small monument is to your left rear next on Constitution Ave.

How about tentatively planning to meet at 12:00 noon in front of this 2nd Division monument. (This is usually where the Connecticut and Massachusettes pro-life bus groups gather, but it is a quiet spot away from the crowd.)

Plus it is a good neutral ground for an ecumenical gathering of pro-life Freepers!

[patent]

A bump. Just a note, I can't be there.

patent

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

ok, but next year, no excuses... ;-)

[firebrand]

Thanks for designating a meeting place. I've printed out the map and will be there. Anyone know which Metro train to take from Union Station to get to this monument?

[Notwithstanding]

I cannot be there either. I shall enjoy being there vicariously through you and other friends who will attend.

[big'ol_freeper]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Antoninus]

Please keep me on the bump list for this. I'd like to come along but I don't know if we can make it. I'll have to check with the wife.

Great idea, btw.

[Antoninus]

Did anyone bump the DC Freepers?

[Dr. Brian Kopp]

No, would you be so kind?

[ELS]

Anyone know which Metro train to take from Union Station to get to this monument?

The Federal Triangle stop appears to be the closest stop to the Ellipse. This map doesn't show the streets and points of interest, but I have a Streetwise Washington DC map that does.

For a more comprehensive map, you can go to the official Washington Metro site.