'We Are Winning' the Fight Against Abortion, Says Rep. Chris Smith at 41st Annual March for Life Rally
Did you bear the frigid weather to participate in March for Life in DC? Share your best photos and footage with CP iPost.
WASHINGTON – A member of the United States Congress has declared that the pro-life movement is winning the fight over abortion. New Jersey Republican Congressman Chris Smith told the many thousands gathered Wednesday at the National Mall for the annual pro-life rally that their side was gaining the upper hand.
"By the grace of God and because of you … we are winning," declared Smith, whose House Bill 7, or the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act," will soon be up for a vote in the House of Representatives.
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"To the youth, especially, never quit or grow weary or discouraged. Your generation will end abortion."
Smith's remarks were part of the 41st annual March for Life, a large-scale demonstration of pro-life activists, speakers and supporters who go to the National Mall on the anniversary of the controversial United States Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade.
In addition to Smith, other elected officials present at the March for Life included House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) and Washington state Democratic Rep. Roger Freeman.
Illinois Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski was scheduled to appear, but delays at an airport in the state he represents prevented his attendance.
Large numbers of pro-life activists from across the U.S., including young people, clergy and political groups endured snow covered ground and temperatures in the teens.
Tom Hogan, grand marshal for the 2014 March for Life and longtime supporter of the pro-life cause, told The Christian Post about the strength of the march, despite the frigid weather.
"When I woke up this morning I thought, why did God do this to us, give us such a cold day for the March for Life," said Hogan. "But then I thought, what He wants us to do is show our determination and that no matter what, we are against abortion and we want to get Roe vs. Wade overturned."
Hogan also told CP that he found the recent wave of abortion clinic closings and state level legislation as a hopeful indicator that Roe would eventually be overturned.
"There is a big movement across the United States and particularly from younger people. Every year I notice in the march that the age group gets younger and younger," said Hogan. "I would say also that it seems to be that mostly at the state legislatures or state level that a lot of this is going on. I don't see it at the federal level."
March for Life Education and Defense Fund President Jeanne Monahan told The Christian Post that the abortion debate was "the human rights issue of today."
"We want to do everything we can to bring a speedy end to abortion," said Monahan, who introduced many of the speakers for the rally phase of the March for Life.
"We've seen a lot of success at the level of the states. More laws are passed at the level of the states. These are informed consent law, parental consent, health clinic regulations, etc. These are common sense laws."
