Contrary to Mainstream Media, Hundreds of Thousands at Giant Washington March For Life

LifeSiteNews ^ | 1/23/09 | Matthew Cullinan Hoffman and Steve Jalsevac

[wagglebee]

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 23, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Hundreds of thousands of pro-life demonstrators marched through the U.S. capital Thursday, protesting the deaths of almost 50 million unborn children by surgical abortion since the practice was legalized nationwide in 1973.

The March for Life, held on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that struck down state laws nationwide, attracted large groups from around the nation, including Catholic dioceses and parishes, organizations of priests and laity, and various pro-family and pro-life organizations.  Well over half of the participants were under thirty years old, including a very high percentage of adolescents.

March for Life chief organizer Nellie Gray told LifeSiteNews the crowd definitely appeared larger than normal this year. She said there were "definitely over 200,000" participants and noted that one television station reported that there were 300,000 participants in the march. Gray also said the march normally takes about one and a half hours to pass one point, but this year it took over two and a half hours, indicating a large increase in numbers.

Asked what she attributed the massive attendance Gray responded, "I don't think there is any doubt that it was in reaction to the election and as they started to see the issues in the news they felt compelled to come out."

Senators, congressmen, pro-life leaders and members of various religious traditions addressed the crowd before the march began. The religious leaders included Rabbi Yehuda Levin, Metropolitan Jonah of the Orthodox Church of America, Cardinals Justin Rigali and Sean O'Malley and numerous Catholic bishops.

Luke Robinson, an African-American pastor from Maryland, stirred the crowd with a passionate speech calling on Obama to end the "slaughter of the innocent preborn," especially blacks, who suffer 34% of abortions in comparison to their 12% representation in the population (see LifeSiteNews coverage at http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012311.html).

Although the March's speakers made respectful comments about President Barack Obama, whose administration began two days earlier, they called upon him to abandon his extreme pro-abortion beliefs and policies, and to embrace the right to life for all.

Despite the election of Obama, who most pro-life leaders at the march emphasized to LifeSiteNews is the most pro-abortion president in American history, many participants expressed hope for the future, speculating that the new president might repent of his past and convert.  Others expressed deep concern about the consequences if Obama implements the policies he has espoused during his brief political career, both in the United States and in foreign countries.

Frank Padilla, founder of the international pro-family organization Couples for Christ, spoke to LifeSiteNews about the "global attempt to destroy the family, destroy marriage, and destroy life".  In the Philippines, where the group began, pro-life groups are fighting a "reproductive health" bill that would fund and promote the distribution of contraceptives, including those that cause abortion.

He added that there is "very great concern" about the election of Obama, given the influence of the United States on foreign countries.  However, he added, that he believes "at the same time we see that it is a blessing, because people are now much more aware, and we know that we need to educate our people, because we know there are so many Catholics who really don't know what the issues are about."

"So, that should be the blessing, and I think that this will be the start of greater pro-life activism, and work, not just in our country but in many parts of the world."

Fr. Aquinas Glibo, a Dominican priest, was present with numerous young seminarians, under the banner, "Dominicans for Life."

"I think the pro-life movement in the United States has becoming a rallying point for a lot of young religious," said Fr. Aquinas, who also stated that the Dominican Order is seeing a resurgence of vocations and a stronger spirit of orthodoxy.  He also said that he preaches against abortion in his parish in New York City.

Participants held signs with pro-life slogans, and many sang.  Some held photos of aborted babies.  The Genocide Awareness Project, an organization that shows large photos of aborted children in displays at universities and on roadsides, was present as well, with a chilling display showing the victims of abortion. It also had one of its large Truth trucks along the march route.

[wagglebee]

Asked what she attributed the massive attendance Gray responded, "I don't think there is any doubt that it was in reaction to the election and as they started to see the issues in the news they felt compelled to come out."

And after Zero continues to push death, next year's march will be even bigger.

[wagglebee]

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[jersey117]

I was just watching a live pro-life rally on EWTN. What an amazing turnout. There were thousands of people in San Francisco, of all places. The speakers were all ripping Obama. The Bishop said he snuck off on a Friday night and signed his executive order.

[Rennes Templar]

Haven’t seen much in the MSM on this.

[jwalsh07]

You never do. My wife and I have been going for many years. The first time we went we were amazed at how such a mass gathering in Washington DC could be ignored by the media. Same ole, same ole.

[RobbyS]

The Establishment controls the media. Back during the Depression, the radicals mustered huge turnout in Chicago and New York, to protest against the government. The country remained ignorant, because the papers and the film industry’s newsreels refused to report the news. Only something like the violence in1968 Chicago or Watts could force them into reporting.

[RobbyS]

The Establishment controls the media. Back during the Depression, the radicals mustered huge turnout in Chicago and New York, to protest against the government. The country remained ignorant, because the papers and the film industry’s newsreels refused to report the news. Only something like the violence in1968 Chicago or Watts could force them into reporting.

[RobbyS]

The Establishment controls the media. Back during the Depression, the radicals mustered huge turnout in Chicago and New York, to protest against the government. The country remained ignorant, because the papers and the film industry’s newsreels refused to report the news. Only something like the violence in1968 Chicago or Watts could force them into reporting.

[little jeremiah]

The MSM is just as evil as 0bama. Perhaps the unmixed evil issuing from this administration will energize conservatives - looks like it. Makes me wish I lived nearer to DC so I could participate in a march like that.

[Freee-dame]

There was an amazing lack of police presence for this very large group. I walked from the beginning of the people waiting to watch the march 6 to 10 deep along the sidewalks, then through all the groups listening to the speakers on the mall. I saw exactly one mounted policeman, nowhere near any demonstrators, and a group of about 8 waiting to redirect traffic for the march. I guess there was no need for a police-state appearance for this very positive crowd.

Too bad C-Span just couldn't cover it. I'm sorry people think that C-Span is a government outfit. It's provided by the cable industry of America. When you see the bias on C-Span, think Ted Turner, not U.S. Government.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The Establishment controls the media. Back during the Depression, the radicals mustered huge turnout in Chicago and New York, to protest against the government. The country remained ignorant, because the papers and the film industry’s newsreels refused to report the news. Only something like the violence in1968 Chicago or Watts could force them into reporting.

Journalism is "The Establishment." Journalism has every reason to promote itself by criticizing and second guessing those who work to a bottom line, who make decisions and take responsibility for results. And "liberal" politicians do that very self-same thing. Consequently there is not a dime's worth of difference between them, and although only a journalist may be (and all journalists are) called "Objective," and no journalist is ever labeled "liberal" by other journalists, the reality is that any "liberal" can get a job as a journalist and instantly merit the title "objective journalist" (George Stephanopolis, poster boy). And no conservative can ever have that label, even if he is able to somehow get a gig in journalism.

So "objective" journalism produces the propaganda wind down which the "liberal" politician sails. As Ann Coulter pointed out recently in talking to Rush, Hillary was a "liberal" when she was running for POTUS - but journalism liked Obama even better, so Obama became the nominee. It is journalism which is The Establishment.

[victim soul]

Hundreds of thousands in our nation’s Capitol and the press continues to spike the story.

I only hope that when these pro-lifers return to their homes they will link up with their local pro-lifers and join the next 40 days for life campaign.

Google FortyDaysForLife to find oout about them.

[RKBA Democrat]

“And after Zero continues to push death, next year’s march will be even bigger.”

I guess.

I’m not a big fan of demonstrations. They’re good to rally the troops and nice to see folks show up and such, but the powers that be ignore them for the most part.

Personally, I’d like to see these folks put their energies more toward (ahem) creating more children and adopting them as well. That’s how we’re going to win this. Not because of demonstrations, or letters we write to tone deaf and corrupt politicians, or the money we donate. We’re going to win because the proponents of life have children, while the culture of death doesn’t.

[wagglebee]

Good points; however, pro-lifers having children WILL NOT prevent the culture of death from killing their’s.

[RKBA Democrat]

“Google FortyDaysForLife to find oout about them.”

I did. Very interesting. And I note that there isn’t a group in my area.

I don’t like mass demonstrations because I think they’re a waste of resources. The politicians just ignore them. But prayer and fasting for life for 40 days coinciding with the Great Fast? I like it...

[RKBA Democrat]

“Good points; however, pro-lifers having children WILL NOT prevent the culture of death from killing their’s.”

You’re right. It won’t. I realize what I’m saying is horribly machiavellian however in the secular and political sense, this all boils down to math. The people who exist in 50 years are going to win. The culture of death is too busy killing it’s own progeny to recognize that it will eventually die out. Evil often sows the seeds of it’s own demise. Our challenge in the political and secular sense is to be alive, fruitful and multiplying in 50 years.

In the mean time, prayer, fasting, and evangelizing are what we are called to do in addition to winning the secular battle through simply being the last men and women left standing.

[IrishBrigade]

We’re going to win because the proponents of life have children, while the culture of death doesn’t...

...I give you Nancy Pelosi, abortion crusder extraordinaire, who has five children...many other such heathen have multiple children as well...they are interested in killing other people’s babies, not their own...
...while of course your comments about reproducing and adopting are spot on, I applaud the March and those who attend...I was there and enjoyed seeing the fervency of those present, especilly the youth (though I’d have liked it a lot better if I hadn’t used a port-a-john and gotten separated from my group) Won’t make that mistake next time...and there will be a next time for me, even as I enter my sixth decade of life...

[ArrogantBustard]

Haven’t seen much in the MSM on this.

Of course not ... They're pathological liars.

[ArrogantBustard]

There was an amazing lack of police presence for this very large group.

Yep ... a few cops ... Their job seemed to be

a) telling folks which way to turn

b) asking folks to stay off the grass.

c) directing traffic.

I noticed many marchers thanking the cops for showing up.

Leftist protests seem to have a rather different attitude toward the police.