Just a few months ago, the Governor of New York had the Empire State Building lit up with pink lights to celebrate the passage of the extreme abortion law, the Reproductive Health Act. The law permits abortion up until birth with health requirements so broad and vague that abortion is available for virtually everyone. In most states when a pregnant woman is killed the accused is charged in a double homicide, for her life and the life of her child – under the RHA these murderers will no longer face charges for taking the unborn child’s life.

>>> Read Jeanne Mancini’s op-ed in the New York Post, “Times Square rally will show the callousness of NY abortion law.”

On Saturday, there was a much different celebration taking place. Thousands of people from across the country gathered in one of the busiest crossroads in America – New York City’s Times Square – to celebrate the sights and sounds of life.

The March for Life was honored to partner with Focus on the Family for the New York City celebration appropriately titled “Alive from New York” – an event featuring powerful pro-life stories and music, and most importantly, alive 4D ultrasound imaging of the 8-month unborn child of Abby Johnson. It was a bold event that was met with opposition at every turn, from digital billboard companies refusing to lease space to show the ultrasound images, to disruptive Planned Parenthood activists before and during the program; but the truth prevailed.

Alive from New York was a powerful reminder that our culture desperately needs truth. As I wandered the crowd, I overheard conversations sparked by the event. One young man said to an Alive from New York attendee that he was pro-choice but that he thought infanticide was clearly wrong and taking things too far. The ensuing dialogue allowed the pro-life person to gently question him about the difference between a newborn baby and a baby 8 months in the womb. I didn’t hear the end of the conversation, but I hope because of this encounter the young man has reconsidered his views.

Incredible to see live 4D ultrasound imaging of @AbbyJohnson’s baby! #AliveFromNewYork pic.twitter.com/zYOi0Qbln1

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) May 4, 2019

The ultimate revelation of truth came at the end of the program when 4D ultrasound imaging showed the incredible images of a baby 8 months along in the womb. From my vantage point, the entire crowd went silent as we were all mesmerized by the life we were seeing. Then the heartbeat was played and we all erupted with cheers.

How can this reaction be described? I think it boils down to this – when you truly allow your eyes to be opened to the truth, the beauty of life evokes awe, wonder, and celebration.

The most beautiful sound – the sound of life!!! #AlivefromNewYork #prolife pic.twitter.com/h4yjUvzjwd

— March for Life (@March_for_Life) May 4, 2019

There’s so much more that can be said about this incredible event – be sure to follow March for Life social media to read more about all the speeches and great moments.

Alive for Life concluded with a powerful song performed by Phil King and Francesca Battestelli. This line struck me: “They are not forgotten. We celebrate your heartbeat.”

A baby’s heartbeat is a beautiful sound of life; we cannot forget that a staggering 60 million of them have been lost to our country because of abortion since 1973. We must remember those lives as motivation to make abortion unthinkable in our future. I want to work towards and live in a world where every single heartbeat is loved and celebrated.

To honor their silenced heartbeats, we must be bold and faithful in defending and promoting life. That is why we march in freezing temperatures every January at the March for Life. I invite you to march with us again this year on January 24, 2020.