In an effort to continue building a culture of life year round, the March for Life would like to highlight different groups and organizations that work to build a culture of life in many different ways. [Read more…] about Building a Culture of Life: Made in His Image, Nashville TN
Citizen Lobbying
GET AMERICAN TAXPAYERS OUT OF THE ABORTION INDUSTRY!
The March for Life Education and Defense Fund encourages Marchers to reach out to their elected officials concerning life issues. While you are in town for the March for Life, take the opportunity to visit your Congressman or Senator’s office to advocate for an important piece of pro-life legislation, H.R. 7 (information below).
Back at home, be sure to call, write, email, or use social media to contact your elected officials. They need to hear from you!
H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, was introduced by Pro-life Caucus Co-Chairs Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and would establish a government-wide permanent prohibition on funding for elective abortion and insurance coverage that includes elective abortion. It would also close abortion-funding loopholes created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), prohibit tax-preferred status for abortion through health savings accounts (and other similar arrangements) and itemized deductions.
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would not affect either the ability of an individual to pay for an abortion (or for abortion coverage) through private funds, or the ability of an entity to provide separate abortion coverage. H.R. 7 does not affect funding for family planning services.
At the end of Title I of the U.S. Code, the legislation would add the Hyde Amendment that now covers programs funded through the Labor/Health and Human Services appropriations bill, the Act also would make permanent such laws as the Helms Amendment (no funds for abortion as a method of family planning overseas) and the Smith Amendment (no funds for health plans covering elective abortions for federal employees).
Statistics bolster the argument that direct federal funding for abortion increases the number of abortions performed.
- In 1993, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the Federal Government would pay for as many as 675,000 abortions annually were the Hyde Amendment and other measures not in place to prevent taxpayer funding of abortion in government supported programs.
- According to a 2007 Guttmacher report, the Hyde Amendment ban on federal funding for abortion has prevented between “18-35%” of women from having an abortion. In other words, unrestricted federal funding for abortion will increase the number of women obtaining an abortion by an average of 25%.
- Researchers at the Charlotte Lozier Institute found that Obamacare will lead to 71,000 to 115,000 more publically funded abortions per year.
Regardless of one’s views on protecting life in the womb a large majority of Americans agree taxpayers should not be paying for abortions.
Abortion, plain and simple, is the taking of an innocent life and is opposed by a large majority of Americans. H.R. 7 gets the federal government out of directly funding the abortion industry and should be passed immediately.
Event Details
March for Life 2015
March for Life Rally
The annual March for Life Rally is from noon-1pm on Thursday, January 22, 2015 and as customary, will be on the National Mall. The March begins immediately after the Rally and follow its route up Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Supreme Court Building on Capitol Hill.
Download our Planning Guide with Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions:
Hotel Information
We are excited to announce our new host hotel — THE RENAISSANCE DC DOWNTOWN HOTEL!
Click HERE for information on Hotel Reservations for the 2015 March for Life.
Rose Dinner
The Annual March for Life Rose Dinner will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel on Thursday, January 22, 2015. The Cocktail hour will begin at 6PM with Dinner starting at 7PM. Tickets will be available in September for this event; however, information about sponsorship of the Rose Dinner is available HERE.
Exhibitor Show
The March for Life Exhibitor Show is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. The Exhibitor Show is an opportunity for Marchers to learn about pro-life organizations and ministries, and for pro-life organizations to share information about their organization and network with attendees of the March for Life and related events.
The Exhibitor Show will be held all day on Wednesday and Thursday, January 21 and 22, 2015 in the Congressional Hall at the Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel. Exhibitor Registration is now open. Click here for more information.
Youth Rally
The Youth Rally will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel. It will be held from 2-5PM and doors will open at 1:30PM. Registration for this event is free of charge and will open in early September 2014. This event will sell out quickly so please register early.
The Law Conference
The March for Life Law Conference will be held in the morning on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the Renaissance DC Downtown Hotel. Check back for more details in August.
March for Life 5K Run/Walk
Information about the 2015 March for Life 5K will be available later this year. Click HERE for a recap of the rescheduled 2014 5K.
March for Life Journal
The March for Life Journal, previously known as the Annual Report, is a publication available each January by the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. The Journal provides pro-life resources based on the theme of the March for Life, a history of the March, and also acts as a program for all official events of the annual March. Information about advertising in the 2015 Journal can be found HERE.
History of the March
On January 22, 1974 thousands of pro-lifers participated in the first March for Life to stand up for the unborn. An inspiring rally was held as Members of Congress announced pro-life legislation and expressed their support for the pro-life cause. The program concluded with a “Circle of Life” march around the Capitol, followed by participants lobbying their Members of Congress.
Soon after that first March in 1974, it became apparent that congressional protection for the unborn was not on the horizon. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Nellie decided that the MARCH FOR LIFE, rather than the originally anticipated one-time event, would instead be held every year until Roe v. Wade was overturned. That year, the March for Life became incorporated as an action-oriented non-profit organization, and the “Life Principles” were developed as the underlying guideline of the organization.
With Nellie’s leadership, the March continued to grow and develop each year. Nellie was an ever-faithful voice for the most vulnerable in society, working to protect the preborn until her last hours of life. While each MARCH FOR LIFE has faced a unique challenge or obstacle, the numbers of participants have continued to grow. Below are some highlights of the dedication of pro-lifers over the past forty years:
1987
On January 22, 1987, as pro-lifers began their annual pilgrimage to Washington D.C. for the MARCH FOR LIFE, many faced a terrible snow storm. While some had to turn back, thousands continued on to Washington D.C. to witness for the preborn. Nellie later commented “Our continuing to march that day was not stubbornness to defy the elements, but willingness to cope as best we could in our determined efforts to defend the unalienable and paramount right to life of our born and preborn brothers and sisters.” Police estimated that 10,000 people trod through the deep snow that day.
1990
In 1990 it was apparent that the March was growing tremendously. For the first time, buses had to park at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial (RFK) stadium and pro-lifers took the Metro to the March. Unfortunately, there was an escalator collapse in which many pro-lifers were hurt; as a result, many others had to walk miles to the rally. But, they graciously walked the “extra mile” with joy for the sake of life!
1995
In 1995 there were disruptions in the planning of the March because of shootings at an abortion facility. The press sought comment from the MARCH FOR LIFE Education and Defense Fund, and we reassured them that the March for Life is dedicated to protecting life through peaceful means.
1998
In 1998, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Roe and Doe, the dedication of prolife Americans was proven again with an unprecedented number of Marchers. The rally featured three former pro-abortion activists who had become pro-life: Dr. Bernard Nathanson, founder of NARAL, Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade, and Sandra Cano, the plaintiff in Doe v. Bolton.
2002
In 2002 the MARCH FOR LIFE was held just months after the September 11th terrorist attacks on America. The march went on and thousands courageously made the journey to Washington, DC despite the uncertainty and fear that the attack brought upon the American people.
2005
In 2005, on the stage, the family of Terri Schiavo, who were then battling to save her from starvation and dehydration, reminded the marchers that the right to life applies not only to the unborn, but all, including the disabled and terminally ill.
2006
The year 2006 brought excitement to the March, as two Supreme Court seats opened up in 2005. Following the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and the passing of Chief Justice Rehnquist, President Bush nominated Judge John G. Roberts and Judge Samuel Anthony Alito to the Supreme Court. The President also raised Justice Roberts to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Pro-lifers had hope that Roe v. Wade/Doe v. Bolton cases would be corrected.
2009
The March in 2009 was held two days after the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, who had expressed his support of abortion. Perhaps in response, the March for Life estimated that it was the largest March to date, with hundreds of thousands of participants.
2011
In 2011, there was a sense of renewal as the 111th Congress was sworn in, bringing many new faces to Washington, including many who were elected on pro-life platforms. At the rally, a record fifty-three members of Congress spoke to voice their support for the unborn!
2013
The 2013 March will be filled with sadness as pro-lifers mourn the 40-year legacy of Roe v. Wade, and the passing of Nellie Gray. At the same time, we are filled with a sense of gratitude as we look back on all the great work that she did in organizing and running the March for Life for the better part of a century. Nellie dedicated all of her energy to advocating for the most vulnerable in society. Under her leadership, the March grew from 30 concerned citizens gathering in a Washington D.C. home to the present day march that draws hundreds of thousands of people from all fifty states and countless countries!
Pro-Life 101
The March for Life is remaking itself to become a tool for pro-lifers to march from the steps of the Supreme Court and into their communities, their churches, their workplaces, and their families. We want to build a culture of life not only on the anniversary of Roe and Doe, but on every day of the year!
Throughout this year, the March for Life will embark upon new educational initiatives to broaden our movement as well as deepen it. We desire for every pro-lifer to be educated on the issues so that they can promote life and influence people. Stay tuned for updates!
Here are some “Pro-Life 101” Facts
We believe and know through science that life begins at conception. Check out this prenatal development timeline from the Endowment for Human Development.
Abortion takes the life of an unborn human child. There is a great deal of information available on fetal pain during an abortion.
Know the abortion laws in your state.
Get the facts on abortion-funding in Obamacare.
Find out the truth about Planned Parenthood.