With high snow accumulations and strong winds on Tuesday along with frigid temperatures intensified by significant wind chill forecasted for Wednesday, many might say that a lower-than-usual turnout at the March for Life in Washington, DC is to be expected. The enthusiasm of march participants, however, indicates quite the opposite – despite wind chill indices that will fall below 0° F and icy conditions, marchers seem determined to brave the elements as they mark the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
Conservative political activist Michelle Malkin perhaps puts it best:
The #MarchforLife is on! ==>MT @TMcClusky Forecast for tomorrow: Large flurry of marchers with heavy gusts of enthusiasm from all directions
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 21, 2014
Meanwhile, march organizers give participants one more reason to join the throng:
We march because 56 million Americans never had a chance to experience snow. #WhyWeMarch#prolife#MarchForLifepic.twitter.com/mLGHn9X2q0
— March for Life (@March_for_Life) January 21, 2014
Marchers from different parts of the country (and beyond) also gave testimony to their dedication on Twitter:
Washington D.C. bound for #MarchforLife 6+ hours on a bus, snow, and a cold hard gym floor await
— Tom Heath (@tom_heath_sc) January 21, 2014
CLCYouth have landed in DC! #marchforlife here we come #prolife@March_for_Lifepic.twitter.com/5IkqBBriZ2
— CampgnLifeCoalition (@CampaignLife) January 21, 2014
So excited that we'll be marching with thousands of other pro-life groups tomorrow at #marchforlife!
— IWUStudentsForLife (@IWU_SFL) January 21, 2014
Among those groups that typically appear in large numbers at the march are student groups from high schools and colleges from all over the nation. Catholic schools, such as nearby Christendom College in Front Royal, VA, are especially known for sending large delegations. Another Catholic institution – Benedictine College in Atchison, KS – is sending a record-setting delegation of over 400 students this year. Benedictine was selected by march organizers to lead this year’s troupe of pro-lifers. Other schools expected to have large representations include Ave Maria in Naples, FL and Franciscan University of Steubenville from Ohio.
Alberto González is the Associate Editor of Aleteia’s English edition. His prior endeavors have included working in political campaigns and in the United States Senate. He also maintains an active schedule as a liturgical vocalist and organist.
A native of California, Alberto graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2010 with a B.A. in Music and Political Science. He currently lives in the greater Washington, D.C. area.
And today we celebrate...