By Maria V. Gallagher, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
A steady, merciless rain did not deter the thousands of Pennsylvanians who came to the state Capitol in Harrisburg to march for life Monday.
From babies in strollers to grandmothers with canes, they crowded downtown streets to send a message to lawmakers: public policy should honor both mother and child.
This year’s march comes as pro-abortion lawmakers in the state legislature push for radical measures which would wipe out protections for preborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion.
These political extremists want to remove such time-tested provisions as protections against brutal late-term abortions…24 hour waiting periods for abortion…parental consent and informed consent.
They are led by Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro, who last year broke with bipartisan tradition and cut off funding for pregnancy resource centers throughout the Commonwealth. The move came as a shock to center staffs, who provide comprehensive counseling and support to pregnant women facing challenging circumstances.
I had the privilege of addressing the Lutherans for Life breakfast that preceded the march. The attendees were enthusiastic and dedicated to letting lawmakers know they stand for mothers and babies.
Inspiring, energizing, and empowering–those are some of the adjectives I would use to describe this year’s march. In this critical year, marchers sent a message that they will strive to defend vulnerable human life at all ages and stages of development.