By Emily Drooby
History was made at the 47th annual March for Life as Donald Trump became the first President in U.S. history to attend.
The commander in chief told the crowd, “I am proud to stand with you” and added, “Together we must protect, cherish and defend the dignity and sanctity of every human life.”
The President also promised solidarity and to always fight for those who can’t.
He explained, “Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.”
That promise was well received by the crowd, met with booming cheers.
Attendee Ron Mercado said, “To see the President the first one that was sitting to ever come out to support our beliefs and to support the unborn it’s remarkable, it’s beyond words.”
Many marchers praised the 58 anti-abortion laws passed in the United States in 2019 as encouragement to continue their fight.
Deacon John Cantirino, of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in the Diocese of Brooklyn, attended the march with other Brooklyn parishioners.
He said, “Our President was here and spoke, you see so many people. Young, old from all over the country. It’s an exciting time because I think we are at a turning point in this movement.”
Attendees from all walks of life traveled from across the country in the hopes of achieving a common goal.
“My mom went to a Planned Parenthood and they encouraged her to have an abortion. They told her, that her life would be over if she had me,” marcher Lillian Knight said of her own story.
For some the motivation to rally and march started at home. The Thimons family, who is behind the well-known pro-life website ‘Convert Cuomo,’ didn’t have their usual political motivation but emphasized family and faith.
AnneMarie Thimons, who brought her children to the march said, “It’s their generation I feel like that’s going to change things so we wanted to all come down as a family so they could see it, how much of an impact prayer makes.”
Prayer was in no short supply at March for Life. Thousands of Catholics gathered Thursday night for a vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Celebrant, Archbishop Joseph Naumann shares a message from the Holy Father, “He more or less ordered me please tell the people I’m with them, I’m praying for them, I support them and he confirmed what the Bishops conference has said, that this is the preeminent issue at this moment in our country.”
Pope Francis’ words offered unparalleled support to the pro-life community who have made it their mission to fight for the unborn.