Photos // Rafael Tortolero
‘WE LOVE BABIES, YES WE DO’. Many people showed up for the March for Life protest with different posters and signs to show their support for the anti-abortion cause.
By: Claire McKenna and Rafael Tortolero
Staff-Writer, Multimedia Specialist
On Jan. 17 at 10:30 a.m., Right to Life Michiana hosted a march and peaceful protest to advocate against abortion. The group met at The Hall where Griffin McCarthy introduced their plans for the day. We were then led in prayer by Father Brian Florin, and heard from a few other people.
Over 100 people attended this event, including many middle and high school students from St. Thomas More Academy, who made a variety of posters for the event.
IU South Bend’s Hoosiers for Life club also posted plans to make posters for and attend the event, but weren’t spotted by our reporters. The group did not respond to request for comment by the time of publication.
The march was led by the Knights of Columbus and Right to Life staff. Many of the students started chanting and singing, making parody versions out of songs like “We Will Rock You” by Queen.
“We will, we will save you!” protesters sang as they walked to the Robert A. Grant Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
When the march arrived at the courthouse, protesters stood in front of and across the street from the building to continue singing, chanting and waving their signs at cars passing by. Many cars passing honked, seemingly in solidarity.
Many of the protesters said they hoped that these events would reach people and help the anti-abortion community gain traction.
“You just put it out there, and ask the Lord to bless these efforts,” Carl Evans, who is on the Right to Life board, said. “Just seeing us may motivate someone to make the right decision or change their mind.”
“I think that babies deserve the same chance that we got, and if they aren’t given that, it’s not fair,” Joey Downy, a sophomore at St. Thomas, said when asked why he felt so strongly about this movement.
There were many protesters that had gone to these events with Right to Life before, as this march is held annually.
“It’s an annual event I have known about since the 90s,” said Pam Bradly, one of the protesters at the march. She said she didn’t consider herself a ‘protester.’ “We consider it a witness. Just a way to be in your community and stand up for what you believe in.”
From the opening ceremony of the rally to comments from attendees, mentions and practices of religion occurred many times. Kate Haughee did not think that it had much to do with their movement.
“I don’t think it’s about religion at all. I think religion helps people come to this conclusion, it’s more about morals,” answered Haughee, who is the Right to Life’s program specialist. “We are just out here protecting life.”
Many Right to Life members directed us to a written statement instead of an interview, which provided information about the organization’s mission.
“Right to Life Michiana is dedicated to social welfare by promoting life through outreach, education, advocacy, and prayer in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties,” the statement begins. “Its goal is to protect the innocent human life – the unborn, the infirm or handicapped, and the aged.”
