By Emily Drooby
Preparations for the 46th annual March for Life are underway at the National Mall.
“To be here among these people, it’s just such a gift, you feel the warmth and the love, and the respect for life,” said Nancy Graebe of the Order of Malta American Association, USA.
It might look quiet now, but in less than 24 hours it will be packed with hundreds-of-thousands of pro-lifers traveling from across the country for this event.
“About 11 hours, we left at midnight last night, and tried to sleep on the bus. I think some of us did. Then we changed at a rest stop and got here at about 10:30,” said Carol Wagner, a March for Life participant.
The march marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decisions in both Roe V Wade and Doe V Bolton, both of which legalized abortion throughout a woman’s pregnancy.
Many march participants hope the recent confirmation of conservative Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court could mean big changes for both of those landmark decisions.
“In my life time there has never been a better opportunity to see Roe V Wade overturned, we’re ramping up the prayers. God’s going to do something great this year,” said Dave Kubal, President, Intercessors for America.
This year’s theme is unique from day one, the idea that pro-life is pro-science, that life begins at fertilization.
Leading up to the march pro-lifers will take place in all kinds of events: conferences, expos, the 2019 youth rally and Mass for life, and the national prayer vigil for life at The Basilica Of The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Tens-of-thousands of pilgrims from across the country filtering into the basilica for the vigil which starts Thursday and continues into Friday morning.
“Go against what people think is the right thing but it’s not, it’s killing unborn babies. But they have lives and they matter,” said Sam Martter, a March for Life participant.
Many say it’s encouraging to see such a strong Catholic presence at the march.
“I know it encourages all of us to see a catholic presence at the march, it’s really strong here, its’ just really encouraging,” said Stuart Hamilton, a March for Life participant.