As Liberty Epley, another representative of the pregnancy center, made clear, it’s not just about the pregnant woman, it’s about the wellbeing of the family as a whole.
“It’s not about a political stance, it’s about people,” Liberty Epley said. “People are hurting and struggling and have things that they’re walking through. It’s our mission to walk through life with them and help in whatever way we can.
The event, she said, provided a “neat opportunity” to connect with likeminded people and unite around the mission of helping people.
A statement from Gov. Kim Reynolds, who was unable to attend the event, kicked off the speeches.
“While I regret being unable to join you in person at this year’s March for Life, I couldn’t be more grateful for the stand you’ve taken simply by being here today,” Reynolds said in the statement. “Your witness has never been more important.”
The theme of simply showing up for the cause continued to shine through in all the speeches of the day, including those given by Maggie DeWitte, the executive director of Pulse Life Advocates, Attorney General Brenna Bird and President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund Jennie Bradley Lichter. Speakers and attendees alike celebrated the passing of the heartbeat bill, but acknowledged that their fight is not yet done.
In the past year, attempts to pass pro-life legislation have faced pushback in the state Legislature — from Democrats and Republicans alike, attendees were quick to point out — among which was a bill that sought to criminalize the distribution of mifepristone, a pill that aids in medical abortion.
“These drugs are dangerous … We need to understand the devastation that these chemical abortions are having on our families here in Iowa,” DeWitte said.
For this reason, DeWitte said, they intend to introduce a new bill next legislative session that would restrict access to chemical abortions, calling it the “Black Market Abortion Prevention Act.” The bill would require an in-person exam to receive a prescription for an abortion drug, and follow-up visits thereafter. It also would require abortion drugs to be listed as controlled substances.
“Passing this bill will ensure that our state protects women from the dangerous drug, and that they will get more information about the harmful effects,” DeWitte promised listeners.
As the rally drew to a close, Pat Castle, president and founder of Life Runners, encouraged attendees to join him in a chant: “When I say ‘pro,’ you say ‘life!’” he exclaimed. The rallying cry echoed through the rotunda before dissolving into applause.
Participants marched down the Capitol steps to the Supreme Court building, before looping back around to the Liberty Bell on the east side of the Capitol grounds.
“Marches for life are incredibly powerful events,” Bradley Lichter said. “They are full of energy, full of joy, full of hope, driven by love for moms and their babies.”
As Bradley Lichter sees it, Iowa embodies the spirit of the national March for Life Movement.
“Despite the fact that Iowa is hundreds of miles away from Washington, D.C., every year bus loads of Iowans come out to Washington to join the tens of thousands of people from across the country at the national March for Life,” she said. “That really exemplifies the dedication of the pro-life movement and the power of being together on a national level. … I’m looking forward to welcoming Iowa back to D.C. in January.”
