March for Life

Marching On: Cassandra Jimenez

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Marching On: Cassandra Jimenez

 

Our next “Marching On” interview introduces you to Cassandra Jimenez, from St. Joseph’s, Missouri.  Cassandra, 16, is a sophomore at Bishop LeBlond High School.  Cassandra shared some of her experiences from the 2014 March for Life in an online essay called, “Unforgettable Lessons Learned at March for Life.”  Read what she’s been up to since January, and don’t forget you can share YOUR “Marching On” story with us HERE.

When did you first come to the March for Life?

I first came to the March for Life in 2011 when I was in 7th grade on a trip with my school.  This past January was my second trip, and it impacted me greatly.

What was your biggest take-away from this past March for Life?

This year, I was most impacted by the reality of how abortion harms women and families.  I had a powerful conversation with a post-abortive woman whom I met at the top of the Hill as we were marching, right before the Supreme Court. (Here’s a quote from Cassandra’s essay at Catholic Key Online)

When I got to the top of the hill there was a woman standing there with a sign that said, “I regret my abortion.” I think when she saw me crying, she wanted to comfort me. She walked up to me and told me about her pain and sorrow and everything she has lost. She cried and hugged me and confided to me, “I made the wrong choice but I can be the one to help many others make the right decision.” She kissed me on my forehead and sent me up to the courthouse. I walked up to the courthouse and heard so many stories from women who have had abortions.

It became clear to me that while the media says that abortion is positive, they ignore the horrible impact it has on women, and families.

How have you been marching on for life since January?

I had the opportunity to write an essay about my experience at the March for Life and was able to read it at my church and have it published in our diocesan newspaper, to spread the truth about the March and abortion.

I’m also speaking at a Walk for Life in my town, and at a rally at my school this fall.  Not many people know about the March for Life, so it will give me an opportunity to share my experiences and what I learned about abortion and its impact on women.

How do you see yourself being involved in the pro-life movement in the future?

I hope to keep attending the March for Life – until we don’t have to march anymore!  And I want to keep talking about the March and sharing the pro-life cause to help people understand what a huge problem abortion is.

What’s your advice for fellow young people?

Stick to what you believe in, and keep working at it!  By doing that, people will see the reason why you do what you do, and hopefully you can join them to the pro-life cause.

 

 

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Marching On: Sean Maguire

Our second installment in our “Marching On” blog series, features Sean Maguire.  Sean, from Lynchburg, Virginia, is a second-year law student at Liberty School of Law.  If you are interested in sharing your “Marching On” story, please contact us HERE.  We may share it on our blog or social media!  

Read Sean’s story and inspiring words below:

When did you first come to the March for Life?

My first trip to the March for Life was my freshmen year of college in 2010.  I had become president of our pro-life club on campus, and organized a trip, even though I didn’t know what we were doing!  But I knew it was important, so we just learned as we went.  I’ve been going to the March for Life every year since.

What was your biggest take-away from this past March for Life?

My March for Life experience this year was a bit different.  A friend in my group had twisted her ankle, so we decided to do the march on our own prior to the official start.  It was a great opportunity to be reflective, and to have a quiet, prayerful time, even amidst the busy city and growing crowds.  We also got to see some of the groups on display, which was a great reminder of how many groups are out there with which to be involved!  We then ran into some 40 Days for Life folks from our local area – that was a reminder that while the pro-life movement is vast, it’s a small world too, and there are so many people in our community with whom we can work together.

How have you been marching on for life since January?

I was able to help with the spring 40 Days for Life campaign in Roanoke, VA, in addition to doing sidewalk counseling outside an abortion facility, which is so meaningful.  I also had the opportunity to start an official pro-life group at my law school, and raise funds for the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center and Liberty Godparent Home.

This summer, I had the honor of interning for the Liberty Center for Law and Policy and was able to research and write memos and blogs on pro-life isues, as well as research and write a memo on unconstitutional local city rules that hinder pro-life activism.  I’ll be sending that to the city council in hopes of getting a change that helps more people in Roanoke to be courageous for life.

How do you see yourself being involved in the pro-life movement in the future?

In many ways.  Right now, I will continue to encourage other students to get involved, and get connected.  In the long term, I see myself being involved politically and legally, in ways similar to my Roanoke city rules project. I want to spend my entire life making sure pro-life laws and policies are passed, and fighting those that laws that destroy life and hinder religious liberty. 

What’s your advice for fellow young people?

Wherever you are, get involved.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel either, just join an organization or group, but don’t limit yourself.  There’s so much you can do right around you, for example, do a 5K fundraiser for your local pregnancy resource center.  Just do something. 

Note: After the 2013 March for Life, Sean’s pro-life group made this video:

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Is July Over Yet?

Pro-abortion forces, and the media that agrees with them, often try to paint the pro-life side as extreme.  Issues proven popular with most Americans, such as parental consent for minors seeking an abortion, protecting unborn children at 20-weeks, or even religious protections for entities and individuals that oppose abortion, are described by groups like abortion-giant Planned Parenthood as part of a diabolical scheme in a mythical “War on Women.”

However, during the month of July, pro-abortion Senators in the U.S. Senate exposed what true extremism is by holding a hearing on one radical piece of legislation, and a floor vote on yet another.  First up was a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on what is unquestionably the most anti-life bill ever seen in the U.S. Congress, S. 1696,  “The Women’s Health Protection Act” (WHaPA).  The WHaPA would override the tremendous success of protecting women’s health and limiting abortion that we have seen in the states.  Not since the radical “Freedom of Choice Act,” supported by President Obama, have we seen a bill that is so anti-mother and child.

An analysis by the Charlotte Lozier Institute found that that S. 1696 would turn back the clock on such pro-life gains as 20-week laws, conscience protections, bans on sex discrimination abortions, sonogram and fetal heartbeat requirements, and prohibitions on taxpayer funding of abortion and it would also eliminate regulations of abortionists like Philadelphia butcher Kermit Gosnell.  The bill is so radical that only two Senate sponsors even bothered showing up for the hearing, while pro-life Senators were well represented.  This bill is quite obviously a desperate cry from those who profit off of the misery of abortion, yet it should be taken as a serious threat to life everywhere.

Later that same week, Senate Democratic Leadership rushed to the Senate floor a vote on legislation introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that was supposedly an answer to the Supreme Court ruling on Hobby Lobby.  The bill, S. 2578, the Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act, was more than a simple response though – it was an outright attack on both the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and it would give the government the power to define conscience.

Pro-life Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) described the Senate Democrats’ bill to limit religious liberty as one that “targets religious freedom as the problem.  It treats certain religious beliefs as simply unworthy of recognition and religious exercise in general as a second- or even a third-rate value.”  The bill failed to gain the 60 votes it needed to proceed, but it is a good warning how fragile our religious freedom is.  As President Ronald Reagan once said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the March for Life?

The March for Life began in Washington, D.C., as a small demonstration and rapidly grew to be the largest pro-life event in the world.  The peaceful demonstration that has followed on the somber anniversary of Roe V. Wade every year since 1973 is a witness to the truth concerning the greatest human rights violation of our time, legalized abortion on demand. 

 

Where and when is the March for Life?

The March for Life official program will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2015 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. beginning at 14th St.  The program begins with a rally at 12 noon, and a time of musical reflection at 11:30.  There will be jumbo-trons for easier viewing.

The march begins immediately following the rally at approximately 1 pm and  proceeds from the National Mall, makes a right on Constitution Avenue, makes a right on 1st St. NE, and ends in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.  We then encourage you to visit your congressmen in the House and Senate office buildings.

How do I begin to plan a March for Life trip?

It is never too early to start planning!  The earlier you begin planning, the better rates you can get on buses and hotel rooms, and the more time you have to fundraise for your trip.  The earlier you plan, the more time you have to get the word out about your March for Life trip to family, friends and members of your local pro-life group or church.

Before you can begin planning any other aspect of the March for Life, it is important to set your schedule.  Some groups come to Washington, D.C. for a day.  They arrive the day of the March for Life, participate in the March, meet with their elected representatives and drive home that same evening.  This keeps costs low, as you would not need to pay for hotel rooms and other added expenses.

Other groups make their trip to Washington, D.C. last several days.  The March for Life Convention is the day before the March for Life and features, the Youth Rally, the Exhibition Hall, the Law of Life Conference, Capitol Hill 101, and the Culture of Life panels.  Once you finalize your schedule, you can begin making hotel reservations and other travel arrangements.

 

When should I book a bus?

Book a bus as early as possible, many bus companies fill up months before the March for Life.  If you are worried about not being able to fill a bus, consider partnering with other groups in your area, such as neighboring schools, churches or local Right to Life groups.  Your bus company should take care of obtaining a bus permit, but you may want to confirm with them.  More information on bus permits can be found HERE. 

 

Where can I find reasonably priced hotels for my group?

The March for Life has reserved a limited number of rooms at the Downtown DC Renaissance. The rate for groups is $184.00/room plus tax.  You can find information about the DC Renaissance and additional hotels HERE.

 

Where should the buses drop us off?

Buses should park at RFK Stadium.  Marchers can then ride the Metro from the Stadium-Armoy Metro stop to the National Mall.  Additional information on riding the metro and purchasing fare cards can be found HERE.

 

The March is over, now what? 

Before you leave Washington, we strongly encourage you to visit your elected officials and advocate for Life!  When you go home, get involved! Don’t make the March for Life a once a year event, but work every day to protect the unborn. 

 

Additional Helpful Information:

·         Portable restroom facilities are available on the Mall, and public restroom facilities are available in the Smithsonian museums.

·         First Aid stations will be located at various points on the Mall surrounding the rally.

·         To enter the House and Senate buildings, visitors must go through security. For a list of prohibited items in the Capitol Visitor Center click HERE.