Don’t just TALK about it, BE about it

It’s a lot easier to talk the talk than it is to walk the talk. Generally we might have a lot to say about an issue or an action, but until we put our shoes on and actually do what we are talking about, our words can be pretty hollow. If we don’t prove it by our actions, we don’t truly mean it.

Such was the belief of an estimated 100,000 pro-life advocates from all over the United States who rallied in the nation’s capital and marched to the steps of the Supreme Court on Friday, January 21, one day before the 49th anniversary of the Roe decision. The March for Life is the world’s largest pro-life gathering and protest. It was founded in 1974 by Nellie Gray, following the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

This year’s theme was “Equality Begins in the Womb.” The attention given to equality in other capacities over the last few years prompted the march organizers to stress that if Americans want true equality, they must recognize where it must begin.

Katie Shaw, a pro-life advocate with Down syndrome, spoke about the importance of recognizing that equality begins in the womb when she told how her parents chose to give life to her, despite knowing their unborn child had serious medical issues and Down syndrome. “I believe that equality for you, me, and for everyone started in the womb,” Shaw said. “It started the day of conception, when God gave us our souls. I am proud to be here to march to show the world that people with a disability or not need to have a chance to show the world God’s plans for them.”

Lawmakers from both parties weighed in Friday to note the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and reflect on the shifting political landscape surrounding abortion. Dozens of GOP lawmakers appeared at the march personally or as part of a video voicing their allegiance with those in attendance.

Pro-life advocates are hopeful that the more conservative-leaning justices will uphold the Mississippi state law that bans abortion after 15 weeks during pregnancy. If they do, it will upend Roe and its 24-weeks viability guideline.

The mood was overwhelmingly optimistic, with many treating the end of Roe v. Wade as an inevitability. “Hopefully this will be the last March for Life,” said the Rev. Andrew Rudmann, a Catholic priest from New Orleans, who was attending his 11th event. Rudmann said previous marches may have had larger crowds, bu he doesn’t recall this level of optimism.

This year’s March for Life had a special significance for me because my granddaughter, Lauryn, a sophomore art major at Fort Hays State University, together with about 30 of her Catholic Disciples friends, made the trip to D.C. and walked the talk. It was important for her to be there among thousands of others from all over the country, standing up for what they believe and literally taking the steps to protect the unborn. She said that just being surrounded by so many people who truly are fighting for life was such an impactful experience on her life, and she will never forget it. Lauryn said there were some who stood against the protest with hate, but there were hundreds of thousands who marched together in love. She was incredibly touched in seeing women, who have had an abortion, standing on the steps of the Supreme Court building, holding signs that expressed how sorry they were to have taken away the right for their children to live.

I am extremely proud of my granddaughter, who is not yet 20 years old, for taking the time and spending the money to go to our nation’s capital, to band together and march with thousands of people who were there for one reason: to defend the lives of unborn children: with eyes and ears, a nose and a mouth, all their major organs, fingers, toes... a heartbeat, and a soul.