By MA Student, Lina Maria Vera
The March for Life is an experience unlike any other. When I first approached the location where the march was taking place, I wondered whether it truly was as significant as people claimed. However, that uncertainty quickly faded as I began to see individuals arriving with banners, hats, and signs. I was particularly struck by the large number of young people approaching the area with an energy that, at first glance, seemed almost celebratory. Initially, this did not make sense to me.
As I began to listen more carefully to the discourse surrounding the event, however, that atmosphere of joy became understandable. The sense of happiness many people experienced stemmed from simply being present and united around a shared cause. In the words of Jennie Bradley Lichter, President of the March for Life, this event represents the largest human rights demonstration in the country. Seeing so many young people defending the right to life—regardless of their background or place of origin—made it clear why there was hope for the future. Participants stood together to defend the lives of unborn persons, who have no ability to choose or advocate for themselves.
Many of the banners emphasized the value and dignity of human life, particularly in defense of the unborn. One message, however, stood out to me above all others: “I’m glad that you exist.” This phrase resonated deeply. As Elizabeth Oliver, President of Georgetown University Right to Life, noted, approximately one third of Generation Z has been lost to abortion. This reality means that many individuals from our generation are no longer with us. Life has increasingly been treated as a matter of choice rather than as a fundamental human right to which everyone is entitled. This should trouble us and compel us to defend life even more firmly, especially as access to abortion worldwide continues to expand, resulting in the loss of countless human lives—lives that will never be able to march alongside us.
This message was further reflected throughout the march itself. The love for the life of every person was visible not only in words, but also in concrete actions. The national anthem, for instance, was performed by members of Group 21, a choir composed of individuals with Down syndrome. Their presence powerfully embodied the principle that every human life has inherent value and dignity, regardless of disability. In addition, speakers emphasized the importance of pregnancy resource centers, highlighting that the defense of life does not focus solely on the unborn child, but also includes genuine concern for the well-being, support, and dignity of the mother.
Despite the legal victories achieved in recent years in the United States, the struggle for the most basic human right—the right to life—remains ongoing. As I approached the site of the rally, I overheard someone describe the march as a gathering of white supremacists. This characterization was deeply disconnected from reality, as the crowd reflected an immense diversity of people. This misunderstanding reveals the depth of the cultural battle surrounding abortion, which often prevents individuals from recognizing the true nature of those participating in the movement.
This cultural battle is also evident across digital platforms. While searching for pro-life videos of the March for Life, I noticed that platforms such as YouTube place a “content verification” notice beneath certain videos. In these notices, information about abortion is presented as a routine medical procedure. This framing reinforces the idea that the broader cultural debate remains unresolved, particularly when society fails to acknowledge the moral gravity of ending unborn human life. Without the right to life, no other rights—such as freedom of expression or freedom of religion, both prominently exercised during the march—can meaningfully exist.As Pope Leo stated in his address to participants of the March for Life, “A society is healthy and truly progressive only when it safeguards the sanctity of human life and works actively to promote it.” He further encouraged young people to continue striving to ensure that life is respected at all stages through appropriate efforts at every level of society, including dialogue with civil and political leaders. In this light, it becomes clear why the march carries a celebratory tone rather than a funeral one: it celebrates the first inalienable right of every person—the right to life—and prepares each of us to continue this battle within our own fields, knowing that we are not alone and that we have not forgotten those who cannot defend themselves.
