Young people gather for March for Life, call for a renewal in pro-life education and advocacy

Following a week of blistering cold weather and activities from the inauguration of President Trump, thousands of pro-life marchers, including the Herzog Foundation’s ambassadors, descended upon…

Following a week of blistering cold weather and activities from the inauguration of President Trump, thousands of pro-life marchers, including the Herzog Foundation’s ambassadors, descended upon Washington, D.C. last Friday.

Vice President J.D. Vance led a vast list of pro-life advocates and elected officials who spoke at the pre-march rally. Other speakers included activist Lila Rose, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, students, non-profit leaders, and Christian surfer Bethany Hamilton.

DeSantis recounted the statewide mobilization effort that led to recent pro-life victories, including defeating Amendment 4 in November. “The wind was in our face,” the governor said of the battle. Florida is not “just the place where woke goes to die, it’s the place where babies go to live.” 

Members of the rally crowd cheered on the two-term governor, including Katiebelle Thompson, a senior from the University of Notre Dame. “He provided a concise and encouraging review, reminding those not from Florida that not only is pro-life legislation possible, it is effective, and already working to save unborn babies in the United States,” she said. 

Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action, echoed DeSantis’ speech. “Natural Law is on our side,” she exclaimed while calling for legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. 

The rally was rounded out by a video appearance from newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and an in-person appearance from Vice President J.D. Vance. The new administration reiterated its support for new families, vowed to investigate the attacks on pro-life organizations, and declared it would end the weaponization of law enforcement against people of faith and pro-life activists. 

Vance blasted the “culture of radical individualism” that he believes has taken root in society and led to a disregard for life. “Let me say very simply: I want more babies in the United States of America,” the vice president declared.  

Among those cheering on Vance’s remarks were various pro-life organizations, student groups from colleges and universities, and religious organizations. 

Myah Abraham recently graduated from Holy Apostles College and launched an initiative called the Right to Know, which seeks to educate young girls and women about their fertility. She’s been marching for seven years and attended this year to continue “to fight for human rights and to make abortion unthinkable in America.” 

She believes education is crucial for the next generation and should be a focus of pro-life leaders. “If we don’t educate our youth and teach them about the beauty of their bodies while in school, we’re going to lose our youth because the other side will do their best to educate, or lie to them, with deception,” Abraham said. 

Catholic University of America law student and pro-life activist Merlot Fogarty also discussed her views on the current trajectory of the right to life movement. “I think one of the things that the pro-life movement misses out on is we’re always on the defense,” Fogarty said.  

To get on the offense, Fogarty believes pro-lifers need to also focus on education, an area she claims the movement has “missed out on” for many years.  

Fogarty advocates a renewed interest in sexual education for young men and women, whereby the movement can create “an entire new generation with a Christian sexual ethic that understands the beauty of body and soul.”

The Herzog Foundation publishes The Lion.