March for Life Rally in Washington, D.C.

Speaker 1 (00:01):

Here we go, say…

MUSIC (00:01):

Never running out, never running out, running out on us.

(00:02)
I was too far gone to know that I was broken.

(00:11)
But You broke through and proved how far You'd go for me, yeah.

(00:16)
I know, I could never measure Your love.

(00:19)
It's overflowing every cup.

(00:21)
Oh, how high, how wide, how far, how deep. You're rich in mercy and full of love.

(01:43)
Never running out, never running out, running out on us.

(01:46)
Your grace is always more than enough, yeah.

(01:46)
Never running out, never running out, running out on us.

Speaker 1 (02:16):

Let me hear you say…

MUSIC (02:17):

Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh.

(02:17)
Never running out, never running out.

(02:17)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

(02:17)
Praise God all creatures here below.

(02:17)
Praise Him above all heavenly host.

(02:17)
Praise Father and Son and Holy Ghost.

(02:17)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

(02:17)
Praise God all creatures here below.

(02:17)
Praise Him above all heavenly host.

(02:17)
Praise Father and Son and Holy Ghost.

(02:17)
You're rich in mercy and full of love.

(02:17)
Never running out, never running out, running out on us.

(02:17)
Your grace is always more than enough, yeah.

(02:17)
Never running out, never running out, running out on us.

Speaker 1 (02:17):

Let the people say…

MUSIC (02:17):

Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh.

(02:17)
Never running out, never running out, running out on us.

(02:17)
Yeah, Oh, oh-oh, yeah.

(02:17)
Running out on us.

Speaker 1 (02:19):

You're thankful that for that today, that the grace of God isn't running out on you or me or anybody in the whole wide world. That God so loved the world that He came to give His son, that anybody who would believe in Him, regardless of what your past looks like. Today, I stand before you, 22 years of sobriety, and Jesus changed my life all those years ago. And when I got sober and I got saved, I wanted to tell everybody what Jesus had done for me. And so we started Unspoken, and started traveling around from coffee shops to open mic nights, New York City subways, nursing homes, anywhere we could go and say, "Listen to what God has done." And tonight, or this this morning… We usually play at night, so you're going to continue to hear me say, it's 20 years of saying tonight, but this afternoon, we're just praying that there is just a powerful breakthrough.

(03:22)
We don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but principalities, things that are going on behind the scenes. And people aren't the enemy. The enemy is the enemy. And so we carry the love of God in the light of the world, and may people see that in us. Now, anybody here know what AA is? Or any kind of celebrate recovery or recovery program? Okay, so this song is a tribute to all of my brothers and sisters in recovery, and it's called, More Church Than Church, and it goes like this…

MUSIC (04:09):

I wish Sunday morning could feel more like Tuesday nights.

(04:15)
Twelve steps down to a basement under harsh fluorescent lights.

(04:20)
All ages, all races, all walks of life at 6 PM.

(04:25)
Stumbling in to keep ourselves from stumbling again. Strangers spilling secrets, in a circle without walls.

(04:36)
Trying to reach for Jesus, instead of drugs and alcohol.

(04:40)
All sitting in a grey folding chair.

(04:42)
Sipping coffee in a white styrofoam cup.

(04:43)
Ain't nobody throwing stones up in here.

(04:48)
Can't judge 'cause we know we all messed up.

(04:51)
Ain't no steeple, just broken people.

(04:53)
Wearing those shame tags on our shirts.

(04:56)
Where the truth is, truth heals, more than the truth hurts. Yeah, that's more church than church.

(05:02)
Now check this out.

(05:12)
Suit and tie or tattoo sleeve, don't matter wear whatever.

(05:17)
Bring your baggage you ain't got to have it all together.

(05:23)
Twenty years without a drop or fresh off of a bender.

(05:28)
No need to pretend in a room full of pretenders, no.

(05:33)
Strangers in recovery.

(05:35)
Confessing, we are weak.

(05:38)
Desperate for forgiveness and accountability.

(05:42)
All sitting in a grey folding chair.

(05:45)
Sipping coffee in a white styrofoam cup.

(05:48)
Ain't nobody throwing stones up in here.

(05:49)
Can't judge 'cause we know we all messed up.

(05:53)
Ain't no steeple, just broken people.

(05:56)
Wearing those shame tags on our shirts.

(05:58)
Where the truth is, truth heals, more than the truth hurts.

(06:02)
That's right, and that's more church than church.

(06:05)
One day at a time, yeah, one day at a time.

(06:09)
We're praying, Jesus quench our thirst.

(06:12)
Yeah, that's my kind of church.

(06:14)
That's right, said, one day at a time.

(06:19)
Yeah, one day at a time.

(06:19)
We're praying, Jesus quench our thirst.

(06:22)
And that's my kind of church.

(06:25)
Because where the truth is, the truth heals, more than the truth hurts.

Speaker 1 (06:30):

Did you hear that?

MUSIC (06:31):

Where the truth is, truth heals, more than the truth hurts.

(06:35)
All sitting in a grey folding chair.

(06:37)
Sipping coffee in a white styrofoam cup.

(06:40)
Ain't nobody throwing stones up in here.

(06:42)
'Cause we all know rock bottom sucks.

(06:45)
Ain't no steeple just broken people.

(06:48)
Wearing those shame tags on our shirts.

(06:50)
Where the truth is, truth heals, more than the truth hurts.

(06:54)
That's right, and that's more church than church.

(06:57)
One day at a time, yeah, one day at a time.

(06:58)
We're praying, Jesus quench our thirst.

(07:04)
Yeah, that's my kind of church.

(07:06)
Oh yeah, one day at a time, one day at a time.

(07:10)
Praying, Jesus quench our thirst.

(07:10)
Uh-uh, and that's more church than church.

Speaker 1 (07:28):

This nation needs one thing, and that's Jesus Christ, amen. That's what we're praying here.

MUSIC (07:45):

I work so hard, trying to open every door.

(07:50)
Search near and far, turning over every stone.

(07:55)
I close my eyes, still I find no rest. No rest for a restless heart, yeah.

(08:05)
All I've been chasing, putting my faith in.

(08:10)
Let it fade, let it break into pieces.

(08:20)
Just give me Jesus, Jesus.

(08:22)
Just give me Jesus, Jesus.

(08:24)
Yes, you're only one God.

(08:26)
And there's nothing I desire that can't be found in You.

(08:27)
And You're everything that I've ever needed.

(08:27)
Just give me Jesus.

(08:27)
And take all my pride, my dreams, my plans.

(08:27)
This house I've built, on trouble sand.

(08:27)
And if I gain the world, it would never be.

(08:27)
It could never be enough.

(08:27)
Just give me Jesus, Jesus.

(08:27)
Just give me Jesus, Jesus.

(08:27)
And there's nothing I desire, that can't be found in You.

(08:31)
And you're everything I've ever needed.

(08:36)
Just give me Jesus. Just give me Jesus. Yeah, you know I want God.

(09:34)
All of my searching.

(09:36)
Trying to be perfect.

(09:39)
All the fears, all the lies I've believe in.

(09:42)
And all I've been chasing, and putting my faith in.

(09:49)
Let it fade, let it fall into pieces.

(09:53)
Yeah, oh.

(09:53)
You're everything I've needed, Lord.

(09:53)
And I've had good days, I've had bad days.

(10:08)
Tasted victory and defeat.

(10:11)
I've had problems, big as planets.

(10:14)
Turn to pebbles when you speak.

(10:17)
I've had nothing to my name.

(10:20)
Never lacked for anything, no.

(10:25)
'Cause you were there with me, yeah.

(10:28)
You've been my Savior, Sustainer, when I'm at my end.

(10:35)
And my Healer, Redeemer, again and again.

(10:40)
And my mother and my father, brother, sister and friend.

(10:45)
And everything I needed, Lord, You've always been.

(10:53)
And everything I needed, Lord, You've always been.

(10:57)
And when I stand before You guilty.

(11:00)
Oh, Your mercy bears my blame.

(11:03)
When in Pride, I think I'm worthy.

(11:06)
You point out the price You paid.

(11:09)
When I wander far away, You keep calling out my name.

(11:15)
And You don't give up on me.

(11:15)
You've been my Savior, Sustainer, when I'm at my end.

(11:15)
And my Healer, Redeemer, again and again.

(11:15)
And my mother and my father, brother, sister and friend.

(11:15)
And everything I needed, Lord, You've always been.

(11:15)
And everything I needed, Lord, You've always been.

(11:15)
You are my strength and rock, and Jesus.

(11:15)
You are my hope, and my song, Jesus.

(11:15)
Before my heart knows what to pray, you've already made a way.

(11:15)
And Jesus, You've been my Savior, Sustainer, when I'm at my end.

(11:15)
And my Healer, Redeemer, again and again.

(11:15)
And my mother and my father, brother, sister and friend.

(11:15)
And everything I needed, Lord, You've always been.

(11:15)
And everything I needed, Lord, You've always been.

(12:43)
Oh, yes you have, Jesus, every day of my life, God.

(12:49)
Everything I've needed Lord, You've always been.

(12:55)
You've been my mother, and father, my sister and friend.

(12:59)
You know what I need, before I do.

(13:04)
And the answer is You, God.

(13:08)
The answer is You, God.

(13:12)
Everything I needed, You've always been.

Speaker 1 (13:18):

I know we're here this afternoon to stand up for what we believe that God values. And we as believers the value, but today I just want to remind you that you may be standing in the gap. But maybe there's somebody in this place tonight, or this afternoon, that just needs a touch from God. That needs to be reminded that He sees you, He knows you. Because you're dealing with things, you're missing the mark. There's sin in your life. Welcome to being human. But the beautiful thing that makes Christianity different than every other religion, is that we don't have to make our way to God. He sent His Son down for us. And that anybody believes in Him, his sins are washed away, past, present, and future.

(14:10)
And I just pray that today somebody encounters or experiences the presence of God to remind you that you're not alone. That He's not mad at you. He hasn't given up on you, though you feel like you've been climbing up a mountain for some time now. That those who persevere and don't give up, there's a reward, God's going to show up on your behalf. And I don't want to miss this place to stand for principle and truth, that's beautiful. But it's the presence and the power of God that really changes lives. That's just the fact. We're never going to argue somebody into what we believe. We have to say, "God, would you move in my neighborhood, and with the people that I'm around? Would you move in my life that that that would spill out?" Because that's real power.

(14:58)
And I know we have a new administration, and a lot of us are really excited about that, and we've seen God move in the past, and maybe in your life, certainly in our country. But the beautiful thing is, He's going to continue to move. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. He's moved then, He'll move now. And so this afternoon, we're just going to play a part of a song, and we're just going to… It says that God inhabits the praise of His people. And that means that God hangs out with people who praise. And I don't know about you, but I'd like to have God in the midst today. That's right. Sing this with me.

MUSIC (15:49):

I've seen You move, You move the mountains.

(15:55)
And I believe, yeah, I'll see You do it again.

(15:55)
You made a way, when there was no way.

(15:55)
And I believe, yeah, I'll see You do it again.

(15:55)
I've seen You move, You move the mountains.

(15:55)
And I believe I'll see You do it again.

(15:58)
You made a way, when there was no way.

(15:59)
And I believe, yes I do, I'll see You do it again.

(15:59)
I've seen You move, yes I have, You move the mountains.

(15:59)
And I believe I'll see You do it again. You made a way, when there was no way.

(16:07)
'Cause that's what you do.

(16:08)
I've seen You do it again.

(16:12)
I've seen You do it again.

(16:31)
And I know, I see you do it again, oh.

Speaker 1 (17:16):

Here's why, because His promises stands.

MUSIC (17:20):

Your promises stands.

(17:22)
Great is Your faithfulness, Your faithfulness, yes God.

(17:32)
And I'm still in Your hands.

(17:35)
And this is my confidence.

(17:38)
You've never failed me yet.

(17:43)
Your promise still stands.

(17:46)
Great is Your faithfulness, Your faithfulness, Lord.

(17:55)
I'm still in Your hands.

(17:58)
This is my confidence.

(18:02)
You've never failed me yet.

(18:08)
No, You haven't God.

(18:10)
Brought me to the edge, but You were still there.

(18:17)
You've been my Savior, Sustainer, when I'm at my end.

(18:24)
My Healer, Redeemer, again and again. And my mother and my father, brother, sister and friend.

(18:36)
Everything I've needed, Lord, You've always been.

(18:42)
And everything I've needed Lord, You've always been.

Speaker 1 (19:09):

I heard a Baptist preacher once say, "You can bury the workmen, but the work will go on." You know, they try to bury Jesus, but the grave couldn't hold Him, right? They may try to persecute us and stand against us, but we got the living God inside. Check it out. This is our final story song. Now listen up.

MUSIC (19:37):

You see, Steven was a deacon in Jerusalem.

(19:44)
And they dragged him out those city gates to try and quiet him.

(19:50)
And when Steven preached those Pharisees, you know, they started throwing stones.

(19:57)
And before he died he raised his eyes and saw Jesus on the throne.

(20:02)
He said, "You can bury the workmen but the work will go on.

(20:09)
Oh, you can silence the voices, but you can't stop the song.

(20:15)
When the Spirit's moving, His will will be done.

(20:18)
Oh, you can bury the workmen but the work will go on."

Speaker 1 (20:27):

Yo John, you want to sing it?

MUSIC (20:29):

James was sent to Heaven, but the angel [inaudible 00:20:33].

Speaker 1 (20:32):

That's right.

MUSIC (20:34):

And Peter, he was crucified, like his beloved Lord.

(20:36)
Oh, the Roman Colosseum, the lions and the fires.

(20:47)
The gates of hell did not prevail, they fanned the flames higher.

(20:52)
'Cause you can bury the workmen but the work will go on.

(20:57)
And you can silence the voices but you can't stop the song.

(21:05)
And when the Spirit's moving, His will will be done.

(21:10)
Oh, you can bury the workmen but the work will…

Speaker 1 (21:16):

Now check this out. My favorite part.

MUSIC (21:18):

And when they lowered Jesus, you know they laid Him in a grave.

(21:24)
You see, they thought that it was over, that His name would fade away. But Jesus wasn't listening, you know, He rose to life again.

(21:36)
'Cause God is not persuaded by the arrogance of men.

(21:41)
And yeah, you can bury the workmen but the work will go on.

(21:56)
And you can silence the voices but you can't stop the song.

(22:02)
And when the Spirit's moving, His will going to be done.

(22:09)
Oh, you can bury the workmen but the work will go on, yeah.

(22:13)
You know His work will go on.

(22:13)
He's going over, and over, and over, and over again.

Speaker 1 (22:13):

All right boys, break it down one more time. It goes like this.

MUSIC (23:09):

You can bury the workmen but the work will go on.

(23:11)
You can silence the voices but you can't stop the song.

(23:17)
And when the Spirit's moving, His will going to be done.

(23:24)
You can bury the workmen but the work will go on.

Speaker 1 (23:44):

How many people believe that Jesus is the cure, He's the answer, He's the solution? All right. Sing it with me if you know it.

MUSIC (23:52):

We're all related, brothers and strangers.

(23:56)
The king and the beggar bleed the same, yeah. We've all got a sickness, a terminal condition.

(24:05)
And we medicate it, but the pain won't go away.

(24:11)
I see the eyes of a million faces.

(24:13)
Looking for it in a million places.

(24:16)
Only one can save us, Jesus, You are the cure.

(24:21)
Everybody's searching for it, everybody's reaching out.

(24:26)
Trying to grab a hold of something real.

(24:31)
You are the cure, only you can satisfy us.

(24:32)
Fill up the void inside us.

(24:36)
Never been a heart you couldn't heal.

(24:37)
You are the Cure, Cure, Cure.

(24:37)
And You are the Doctor, You're the Healer and Father.

(24:55)
To the orphan in a lonely world. We fell into darkness.

(25:03)
We were lost till you found us.

(25:11)
You're the remedy we're looking [inaudible 00:25:11].

(25:11)
You are the Cure.

(25:11)
Everybody's searching for it, everybody's reaching out.

(25:15)
Trying to grab a hold of something real.

(25:15)
You are the Cure [inaudible 00:25:20].

(25:15)
Fill up the void inside us.

(25:15)
Never been a heart you couldn't heal.

(25:26)
You are the cure for the broken.

(25:26)
The hope for a hopeless world.

(25:26)
Yeah, You are only Holy.

(25:37)
Only Holy.

(25:40)
The meaning, the purpose, the peace that will make us whole.

(25:46)
You don't have to search no more.

Speaker 1 (25:56):

I believe that today. Come on you all.

MUSIC (26:43):

You don't have to search no more.

(26:43)
You are the Cure. Yeah.

(26:43)
Never a heart you couldn't heal.

(26:43)
You are the Cure. Yeah.

(26:43)
Never a heart you couldn't heal.

(26:43)
You are the…

Speaker 1 (26:43):

That's right.

MUSIC (26:45):

This year's felt like four seasons of winter.

(26:51)
And you've been [inaudible 00:26:55] only one.

(26:58)
Always [inaudible 00:26:59], always climbing. Always second guessing the timing.

(27:03)
But God has a plan, a purpose in this.

(27:06)
You are His child and don't you forget.

(27:09)
He put that hunger in your heart.

(27:11)
He put that fire in your soul.

(27:17)
His love is the reason, yeah.

(27:17)
To keep on believing.

(27:17)
And when you feel like giving up.

(27:17)
When you feel like giving in.

(27:17)
His love is the reason.

(27:17)
To keep on believing, yeah.

(27:24)
If we could pull back the curtain of Heaven.

(27:42)
Then we would see His hand on everything.

(27:51)
Every hour, every minute, every second.

(27:52)
He's always been in it.

(27:54)
Don't let a shadow of a doubt take hold.

(27:57)
Hold on to what you already know.

(27:59)
He put that hunger in your heart. He put that fire in your soul.

(28:06)
His love is the reason.

(28:10)
To keep on believing, yeah.

(28:10)
And when you feel like giving up.

(28:10)
When you feel like giving in.

(28:10)
His love is the reason.

(28:10)
To keep on believing.

Speaker 1 (28:24):

If you know it, sing it with me like this.

MUSIC (28:26):

It's the reason, nah-ah-ah.

(28:27)
It's the reason, nah-ah-ah, yeah.

(28:30)
His love is the reason.

(28:39)
He's the peace in the madness.

(28:42)
That you can't explain.

(28:45)
He's the hope in the heartbreak.

(28:48)
The rest in the suffering.

(28:51)
He's closer than the air you breathe.

(28:53)
From the start, to the end, to the in-between.

Speaker 1 (28:58):

Now this is my favorite part, it's Philippians 1:6, it goes like this.

MUSIC (29:02):

Don't you dare doubt even for a minute.

(29:05)
What He started in you, yeah, He's gonna finish.

(29:08)
He put that hunger in your heart.

(29:49)
He put that fire in your soul.

(29:58)
His love is the reason.

(29:58)
To keep on believing.

(29:58)
Just keep on believing.

(29:58)
When you feel like giving up.

(29:58)
When you feel like giving in.

(29:58)
His love is the reason.

(29:58)
To keep on believing, yeah.

(29:58)
It's the reason, nah-ah-ah.

(29:58)
It's the reason, nah-ah-ah-ah.

(29:58)
His love is the reason. Yeah it is, now.

Speaker 1 (30:00):

[inaudible 00:30:00].

MUSIC (30:00):

It's the reason, nah-ah-ah.

(30:00)
It's the reason, nah-ah-ah-ah.

(30:00)
His love is the reason.

Speaker 1 (30:20):

All right. We got one or two more songs here. If you know this, sing it with us. One…

MUSIC (30:42):

Ooh, ooh.

(30:42)
Ooh, ooh.

(30:42)
Ooh, ooh.

(30:42)
This world could be cold and bitter.

(30:44)
Feels like we're in the dead of winter.

(30:47)
Waiting on something better, yeah.

(30:50)
But am I really gonna hide forever and over and over again?

(30:54)
I hear Your voice in my head.

(30:56)
Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see.

(30:56)
Start a fire in my soul.

(30:56)
Fan the flame and make it grow.

(30:56)
So there's no doubt or denying.

(30:56)
Let it burn so brightly.

(31:17)
That everyone around can see.

(31:21)
That it's You, that it's You that we need.

(31:23)
And start a fire in me.

(31:25)
Ooh, ooh.

(31:25)
Ooh, ooh. It only takes a spark to start a whole blaze.

(31:35)
It only takes a little faith.

(31:37)
Let it start right here.

Speaker 1 (31:38):

March for life, you all.

MUSIC (31:40):

And these old walls will never be the same.

(31:43)
And over and over again.

(31:45)
I hear Your voice in my head

(31:45)
They need to know, I need to go.

(31:51)
Spirit won't You fall on my heart now.

(31:53)
Start a fire in my soul.

(31:56)
Fan the flame and make it grow.

(31:59)
So there's no doubt or denying.

(31:59)
Let it burn so brightly.

(32:07)
That everyone around can see.

(32:09)
That it's You, that it's You that we need.

(32:09)
And start a fire in me.

(32:18)
You are the fire, You are the flame.

(32:18)
You are the light on the darkest day.

(32:22)
We have the hope, we bear Your name.

Speaker 1 (32:24):

Yeah, we do.

MUSIC (32:25):

Start a fire.

(32:25)
You are the fire, You are the flame.

(32:31)
You are the light on the darkest day.

(32:33)
We have the hope, we bear Your name.

(32:51)
Carry the news that You have come to save, yeah, oh.

(32:54)
Say only Jesus can save, yeah.

Speaker 1 (32:54):

One more time, sing it.

MUSIC (33:01):

Start a fire in my soul.

(33:01)
Fan the flame and make it grow.

(33:01)
So there's no doubt or denying.

(33:01)
Let it burn so brightly.

(33:03)
That everyone around can see.

(33:07)
That it's You, that it's You that we need.

(33:08)
Start a fire in me.

(33:08)
Yeah, start it in me.

Speaker 1 (34:12):

That's right. Come on [inaudible 00:33:26]. All right, so, I want to do one thing, here in the capital. We can't have an event like this without reading the Bible. Guess what? The world wants to tell us what truth is relative and truth is whatever you want to believe. But we know that the truth is right here in the Scriptures and I'm going to read this, right here for us today. It's in Psalm 139. It says, "You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you, God, for making me so wonderfully complexed." Somebody thank God that He made you wonderfully complexed. That you're a work, a masterpiece. And then it says, "You watched me. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion.

Speaker 2 (35:00):

As I was woven together in the dark of the womb, You saw me before I was born, and every day of my life is recorded before a single day has passed. And lastly, how precious are Your thoughts about me, oh, God? They cannot be numbered. I can't even count them. They outnumber the grains of sand.

(35:24)
And we wanna, we wanna find out, is our unborn children valuable to God? Well, we see it right here. David says, "You saw me when I was in my mother's womb, and my days were planned out before they happen." Yes, life is valuable from conception. Yes, we have to stand up from the truth. And yes, we must not be bullied. And yes, we must love people that don't agree with us too.

(35:55)
In the Bible here it says that, you know what? The world knows that we're Christian first by the way we love each other n then by the way we love others. And so I just wanted to read the Scripture to let us know, hey, you know what? It's proof. There is value in all life. And that we need to stand up and just let you know. I'm proud of every single one of you. I was walking around the city earlier, and I saw all these young people, all these young people standing up for what they believe. I was just so blessed by it. It's so wonderful. Proud in each and every one of you. Proud of every single ministry that's out here working, and let's go. We've got two minutes. I think we can get this song done in two and a half minutes. This song is called Where My Joy Comes From, and we're going to leave you with this.

Speaker 3 (36:46):

I don't wanna waste my time.

(36:47)
Yes. Uh-uh. Yeah.

Speaker 2 (36:47):

It's like this. Can you sing?

Speaker 3 (36:59):

Don't worry about a thing. No.

(37:03)
Because every little thing is going to be all right.

(37:11)
Sing it now.

(37:12)
Don't worry about a thing. Yeah.

(37:17)
Because every little thing is going to be all right.

Speaker 2 (37:23):

All right, now, our song. It goes like this.

Speaker 3 (37:25):

See, I don't want to waste my time.

(37:27)
Trying to be a star.

(37:28)
I wanna make You famous. Show 'em who You are.

(37:32)
You're the King over "can't be dones."

(37:35)
I'm living proof for the hopeless one.

(37:38)
I'm a new creation, a rebel redeemed.

(37:41)
Somebody call me Paul, I can do all things.

(37:44)
I got a light in my eye.

(37:46)
And I'll be spending my life.

(37:48)
Pointing everybody to You.

(37:50)
And Lord, make me like the moon.

(37:51)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(37:53)
Reflecting the sun.

(37:54)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(37:54)
I'll let the whole world know.

(37:59)
Let them know.

(37:59)
Where my joy comes from.

(38:00)
Where my joy, where my joy…

(38:03)
I'll tell them that it's You.

(38:05)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(38:05)
You're the only One.

(38:08)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(38:08)
I'll let the whole world know.

(38:11)
Let them know.

(38:12)
Where my joy comes from.

(38:12)
Where my joy, where my joy comes from.

(38:15)
Now, I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna dance.

(38:19)
And it ain't got nothing to do with my circumstance.

(38:23)
From the valley low, to the mountaintop.

(38:26)
It don't matter where I am.

(38:28)
Don't matter where I'm not.

(38:29)
And more than a feeling, more than emotion.

(38:32)
Is the glass half full?

(38:34)
No, it's overflowing.

(38:36)
And I see the light.

(38:37)
And I'll be spending my life.

(38:39)
Pointing everybody to You.

(38:52)
And Lord, make me like the moon.

(39:00)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:00)
Reflecting the sun

(39:01)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:01)
I'll let the whole world know.

(39:03)
Let them know.

(39:03)
Where my joy comes from.

(39:05)
Where my joy, where my joy comes from.

(39:05)
I'll tell 'em that it's You.

(39:05)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:05)
You're the only One.

(39:05)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:05)
Yeah, I'll let the whole world know.

(39:05)
Let them know.

(39:05)
Where my joy comes from.

(39:05)
Where my joy, where my joy comes from.

Speaker 2 (39:05):

Now this is your part. Sing it with me like this.

Speaker 3 (39:09):

I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy.

(39:10)
Down in my heart.

(39:10)
Where?

(39:11)
Down in my heart.

Speaker 2 (39:16):

That's right.

Speaker 3 (39:17):

To stay.

Speaker 2 (39:19):

One more time. Sing it with me.

Speaker 3 (39:20):

I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy.

(39:24)
Down in my heart.

(39:25)
Where?

(39:28)
Down in my heart to stay.

(39:32)
One more time.

(39:33)
Lord, make me like the moon.

(39:34)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:34)
Reflecting the sun.

(39:37)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:37)
I'll let the whole world know.

(39:42)
I'll let them know.

(39:42)
Where my joy comes from.

(39:44)
It's you.

(39:44)
Where my joy, where my joy comes from.

(39:44)
I'll tell 'em that it's You.

(39:44)
Tell 'em I'm a new creation.

(39:44)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

(39:44)
I'll let the whole world know.

(39:54)
Let them know.

(39:55)
Where my joy comes from.

(39:57)
Where my joy, where my joy comes from.

Speaker 2 (40:02):

Hey, thank y'all so much. Much love. We're Unspoken. Love you guys. We'll see you.

Speaker 4 (40:06):

Yep, you're right. [inaudible 00:40:35]

Speaker 5 (40:42):

Does Erin know? Erin, Erin, Erin.

Speaker 6 (40:42):

What? Sorry.

Speaker 5 (40:46):

You missed [inaudible 00:40:50]

Speaker 7 (41:01):

Thank you, Unspoken. Let's hear it for Unspoken. I cannot see the end of this crowd right now. Who's ready to march today? If you want abortion to be unthinkable and illegal, let me hear you scream. All right, y'all, we got an amazing lineup. We've got some special guests you might have heard about. We're going to get this all set up for our rally. Hang tight, stay warm, and we'll be back in a few minutes. Thank you. Woo!

Speaker 8 (42:06):

The Lutheran Church [inaudible 00:42:08] is about the truth. That is Christ Himself. Everything we say and do flows from Jesus and His mercy towards us. When we march for life, when we pray on the sidewalks, when we serve in pro-life efforts, we share truth, love, and mercy. We say, "Please tell me your story." We listen, encourage, and care in real, tangible ways. Because the truth is, Lutherans care deeply for women, families, and babies. We love because Christ loves. We care too much about them to allow lies to prevail.

(42:40)
So even when others cannot see past the destructive culture of death, we're ready to hear their stories and share what's really, truly true. These stories may be hard. What's even more difficult is leaving people alone to suffer in a life built on lies, a life built on death, rather than a life built on truth. Christ laid down his life for us, so we love in deed and in truth.

Speaker 9 (43:06):

Being on the right side of history isn't always popular or easy.

Speaker 10 (43:10):

Through the third trimester, the bill has no limit.

Speaker 11 (43:12):

Following the abortion procedure, the babies were born alive.

Speaker 12 (43:15):

Pregnancy resource centers are on high alert [inaudible 00:43:17] and attacks.

Speaker 13 (43:17):

Pro-abortionists have firebombed a pregnancy center [inaudible 00:43:20]

Speaker 9 (43:19):

When culture is spreading lies…

Speaker 14 (43:21):

Hey, I know you're in the middle of something, but I wonder if you just take a few seconds to pray with me real quick. In the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen.

(44:05)
Lord Jesus, come to us now. Help us to surrender ourselves completely to you. Help us to listen to your voice, even when we're distracted or tired. We pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you so much.

(44:20)
I just want to encourage you that if you want to join me in more prayer, check out Hallow. It's the number one prayer app in the world.

Speaker 15 (45:28):

When you're just four-weeks old, we begin growing our hands. Hands which will do great things. We'll shape the world. Who knows what these hands will do if given the chance. A 100% pro-life campus, where we cherish life at every stage. The Catholic University of America, where pro-life leaders are made.

Speaker 16 (46:55):

For over 25 years, Alliance Defending Freedom has been a champion of the pro- life cause. We've defended hundreds of doctors, pregnancy centers, and other pro-life heroes from government overreach and coercion. We have won nearly 80% of our cases, including many precedent-setting wins at the US Supreme Court. As attorneys, we protect those who protect life. We believe that life will triumph in the end. Go to adflegal.org.

Speaker 17 (48:26):

The March for Life brings us together under one voice, to show the world that every mom, dad, and child, born or pre-born, truly matters.

Speaker 18 (48:36):

The March for Life is the single greatest witness to the cause of constitutional justice in America.

Speaker 19 (48:42):

It's the single largest gathering of pro-life individuals in the country. And if you haven't experienced a March for Life, you are missing a treat.

Speaker 18 (48:51):

I march for vulnerable women and children. And the march has impacting me, noting that I am not alone. Hundreds of thousands, millions of people support life, and it shows up in the march.

Speaker 20 (49:04):

We peacefully march, so that all, and especially the unborn, might one day enjoy the equal protection of the law.

Speaker 21 (49:12):

I march for life because life is beautiful. And abortion is the human rights abuse of our time, so I can't march for life.

Speaker 22 (49:20):

I march for moms and their babies because life is so, so beautiful.

Speaker 23 (49:24):

We have been discipled in a pro-abortion culture for over 50 years. That culture will only change through unwavering courage, tenacity, and a faithful witness of the power of truth and real love.

Speaker 24 (49:37):

And I march for all of our members, people that are able to come to the march, and those who can't. And I march for the least of these.

Speaker 25 (49:45):

I march for life because the lives of innocent members of our human family, the unborn child, those with disabilities, and the elderly, are precious and endangered. And I will continue to fight for life because it's the right thing to do.

Speaker 26 (49:57):

The Knights of Columbus has always been committed to protecting the vulnerable, particularly unborn children and their mothers. That's why we march, and that's why we will continue to march in Washington, DC, and in the states, until the right to life is protected, and abortion is unthinkable.

Speaker 27 (50:18):

I will be in the 2025 March for Life for the same reasons that I've attended many before. Number one, we can't concede any more ground in the public square. We have to stand up for the unborn. And secondly, I'm always encouraged, especially by the hundreds of thousands of young Americans who understand that when we stand up for the unborn, we're doing God's will, and we're saving this republic.

Speaker 28 (50:41):

We march because every life is precious.

Speaker 29 (50:44):

And deserves the right to life.

Speaker 30 (50:45):

May we courageously continue to march across generations for every generation to come.

Speaker 31 (51:20):

The country and world changed on June 24th. With the overturn of Roe and the Dobbs decision, the states are all the more important.

Speaker 32 (51:31):

After the Dobbs decision, abortion policy has returned to the elected representatives of the people. And so being here in state capitol to stand up for life is more important than it's ever been before.

Speaker 33 (51:41):

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you here to the third annual California March for Life.

Speaker 34 (51:49):

We are here today to be a voice for the voiceless in Michigan, here in Lansing.

Speaker 35 (51:54):

Now is the time to change hearts and minds in the State of Colorado. This was a wonderful day for inaugural Colorado March for Life.

Speaker 36 (52:02):

Seven out of 10 women who get abortions are coerced into abortion.

Speaker 37 (52:07):

It can be easy to fall into despair and hopeless, just given the legislation and the laws that we're up against. It's important to speak truth, to go out there, to be that voice, to be that hope, to be that light in the darkness.

Speaker 38 (52:25):

And while the march began as a response to Roe, we don't end as a response to Roe being overturned. Why? Because we're not yet done. The main goal here is, abortion becomes unthinkable.

Speaker 8 (53:19):

The Lutheran Church Missouri Senate is about the truth, that is Christ Himself. Everything we say and do flows from Jesus and His mercy towards us. When we march for life, when we pray on the sidewalks, when we serve in pro-life efforts, we share truth, love, and mercy. We say, "Please tell…"

Speaker 9 (53:38):

Being on the right side of history isn't always popular or easy.

Speaker 39 (53:41):

14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Jeanne Mancini (56:23):

Well, good afternoon, everyone. And a very warm welcome to those of you who are here in person. It's a little chilly out there today, but I hope that you're staying warm in your hearts. We are so, so happy to have you. I am Jeannie Mancini, and I'm honored to serve as President of the March for Life. And on behalf of our entire, wonderful, hardworking team, I would like to welcome you to the 52nd March for Life, the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world.

(57:04)
And I want to thank you. I want to thank you for being here. I want to thank you for being part of history, by being part of the March for Life. To kick off our rally today, we're going to join in singing the national anthem, and it's going to be led by soloist Julie Stone, followed by Andrew Hudson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Knights of Columbus Council. Please give a warm welcome to Julie and Andrew.

Speaker 3 (57:45):

O, say can you see by the dawn's early light.

(57:50)
⁠What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight.

(58:08)
⁠O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

(58:08)
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air.

(58:08)
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

(58:08)
⁠O, say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave.

(58:08)
⁠O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Speaker 40 (59:36):

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Jeanne Mancini (59:58):

Thank you Andrew for leading our pledge, and to Julie for that absolutely stunning performance. Each year we are grateful for the collaborative witness of the Orthodox bishops and the Roman Catholic bishops leading us in opening prayer for the rally. I'm very happy to welcome to the podium a friend of mine and a wonderful, wonderful bishop, man of God, Archbishop Joseph Nowman. Yes. Our friends in Kansas City, you know him well. Archbishop Nowman from Kansas City in Kansas, and he's a member of the Committee of the Pro-Life Activities for the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

(01:00:32)
Archbishop Nowman is joined on stage by a delegation of orthodox bishops and Roman Catholic bishops in offering our opening prayer. Hello.

Speaker 41 (01:00:44):

Nice to see you.

Jeanne Mancini (01:00:45):

It's very nice to see you.

Speaker 41 (01:00:47):

Yeah, thank you. Well, it's a privilege to be with you and to offer this prayer today. I'm substituting for our pro-life committee chair, Bishop Dan Thomas, who had a death in his family, so couldn't be with us. But I just want to say, Jeannie Mancini, she's one of my heroes, and we thank her for her leadership.

(01:01:20)
So as we open our rally prayer, I welcome His Grace, Bishop John, of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, representing the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. And we're joined by a delegation of brother, Orthodox, and Catholic bishops from all across the country.

(01:01:43)
I especially welcome all of you who have gathered in this vast crowd, as we stand together to proclaim our belief in the dignity of the child in the womb, and to witness to the sanctity of all human life. This is why we march. And so let us pray. Almighty and the eternal God, author and sustainer of the gift of human life, we, Your sons and daughters, and Jesus, Your son, come before you as stewards of this great gift. Here are our humble and heartfelt prayer. May we never fail to protect and value human life from the first moment of conception through to the moment of natural death. May our efforts rightly include legal protection as well as constant prayer. May we continue to do penance for the true and tragic offenses against the divine dignity of human life, especially by abortion.

(01:02:47)
May we be instruments of Your love and compassion for any pregnant mother in need, and all those who have been wounded by abortion. We turn to Father of us all for Your grace and power, to fuel anew in our time the ever-present need to build up the culture of life. May this culture of life bring fresh energy for pro-life initiatives in every part of our nation. May this culture of life find new strength among families, in our homes, our schools, our parishes, our workplaces. Indeed, among all men and women in our human community. May this culture of life bring aid and assistance for those whose lives are in any distress, especially in facing new threats against the dignity of human life. Everliving God, pour out Your abundant blessing upon all who will march for life today and upon all who join with us in spirit and prayer. May they have the fire of Your Holy Spirit to never tire of the crusade for life, whose origin is in You. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Speaker 42 (01:04:07):

Amen.

Speaker 41 (01:04:15):

Amen. Thank you.

Jeanne Mancini (01:04:15):

[inaudible 01:04:15] thank you so much, Archbishop Nowman. Well, thank you so much, Archbishop Nowman, and our orthodox and Catholic bishops. We're so very happy, very, very pleased to have you here and grateful. So whether this is your first March for Life, or you're a seasoned veteran, and I see some of you out there that are seasoned veterans right in the front row here. But I met many in the hotel this morning that this is their first March for Life.

(01:04:38)
I just really do want to honor you and thank you for making history, by being part of our world's largest annual human rights demonstration. You, by being here, are advocating for the poorest of the poor. You are advocating that social justice begins in the womb. Thank you for standing on the right side of history and for being here. We are so very, very grateful. The theme for the 52nd annual March for Life is life: why we march. It's a very simple reminder of the basic and beautiful truths about why we're all here today. The first and most foundational point of our theme is that every human being, regardless of race, regardless of disability, regardless of religion, gender, size, or stage of development in the womb, every single life has inherent human dignity. And it is just that case.

(01:05:35)
Marchers, can I ask you a question? Do you believe, so I'm going to ask you a question, and then I'm going to ask you so question. So, marchers, do you believe that all human life, from the moment of conception, has inherent human dignity? Let me hear you say, "Yes."

Speaker 39 (01:05:53):

Yes.

Jeanne Mancini (01:05:54):

Aw, come on. You guys can do better than that. Come on, let's try that again. Let me hear you say, "Yes."

Speaker 39 (01:05:58):

Yes.

Jeanne Mancini (01:06:02):

Yes. Okay. For the second point of our team, science and technology. Marchers, I believe in miracles. But you know what? Even if you don't, science is on the side of life. Science shows that life begins at the moment of conception and fertilization. From that time on, we know that a new human life in the womb possesses its own genetically unique DNA, and is different from its mother and father. Because of modern technology, we can see at just six weeks, expectant parents can view their child's ultrasound and see that a baby's heart is beating. And by 12 weeks, other organs have formed. And these are only a handful of the many moments of gestational development that give witness to the inherent dignity of life that is unrepeatable, valuable, and entirely worthy of our love and protection.

(01:06:56)
So let me ask you, marchers, do you believe that science and technology are on the side of life? Let me here you say, "Yes."

Speaker 39 (01:07:03):

Yes.

Jeanne Mancini (01:07:06):

That's a little better. Thank you. The third point, the pro-life movement is at its heart with every woman and for every child. Tragically, we live in a culture that presents confusing, misleading, and even false messages to women in this regard. And one of the worst and most offensive messages is that abortion is necessary for a woman to flourish and succeed. Yet, the tragic reality is that 60% of women who have chosen abortion say that they would have preferred to choose life if they had the requisite financial and emotional support.

(01:07:48)
Women need to know that they are strong and capable, and that the pro-life community will love and support them long after the child is born. And that's why there are well over 3,400 community-based pregnancy care centers across America that help women. Thank you. That help women and families who want to keep their children.

(01:08:12)
And a whopping 83% of Americans on both sides of the political aisle support the work of pregnancy care centers. We just saw this this week from a Maris poll that came out, thanks to the Knights of Columbus. Marchers, let me ask you. Will you commit to supporting women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy? Let me hear you say, "Yes."

Speaker 39 (01:08:35):

Yes.

Jeanne Mancini (01:08:37):

Let's try that one again. Let me hear you say, "Yes."

Speaker 39 (01:08:39):

Yes.

Jeanne Mancini (01:08:42):

On the fourth and final point of the theme, the power of telling your story. For over a decade, we at the March for Life have used the hashtag, why we march, on all social media related to the March for Life. Why? Because your stories matter. Your stories can change people's hearts and minds on this issue. At the March for Life, we're in the business of changing hearts and minds. Our goal is to make abortion unthinkable. Your stories will help us reach that goal. Why are you here? Why are you pro-life? Each of you has a reason, and when you share that reason, your witness makes a difference. Marchers, can you commit today in the next two hours, on social media, to using the hashtag why we march in telling your story? Let me here you say, "Yes."

Speaker 39 (01:09:31):

Yes.

Jeanne Mancini (01:09:35):

Thank you. Now I'd like to show you a video about our March for Life theme, life, why we march.

Speaker 9 (01:09:43):

Being on the right side of history isn't always popular or easy.

Speaker 10 (01:09:47):

Through the third trimester, the bill has no limits.

Speaker 11 (01:09:49):

Following the abortion procedure, the babies were born alive.

Speaker 12 (01:09:51):

Pregnancy resource centers are on high alert to these threats and attacks.

Speaker 13 (01:09:54):

Pro-abortionists have firebombed a pregnancy center [inaudible 01:09:56]

Speaker 14 (01:09:56):

When culture is spreading lies about the dignity of life, and it seems like

Speaker 43 (01:10:00):

We were in a losing battle. We might feel like giving up. But we won't. This is why we march, because lives like these turn into these and that is why we march.

Speaker 44 (01:10:38):

Only one march has happened every year since 1974, and in just a few hours, thousands of marchers will fill the streets of Washington D.C.

Speaker 45 (01:10:50):

We're here to march and to show solidarity for the baby in the womb.

Speaker 46 (01:10:55):

We march to be a voice for the voiceless.

Speaker 47 (01:10:58):

We march to end abortion.

Speaker 46 (01:10:59):

We march for both mom and baby.

Speaker 48 (01:11:02):

I just want every single baby to be valued and every single woman to know that she's important and she should be loved.

Speaker 44 (01:11:07):

They're partaking in the annual March for Life, the largest human rights display in the world.

Speaker 43 (01:11:16):

Because every single life deserves a chance. That is what real human flourishing looks like, and that is why we march.

Jeanne Mancini (01:11:44):

I accepted the position as president of the March for Life in 2012, so this is my 13th March for Life leading the organization. There have been so many opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges that have come with my role, but one of the absolute highlights, something that always gives me joy and hope, is you, the marchers, the advocates, the mothers, and the babies. Your love, your enthusiasm, your courage, your compassion. You have motivated me and our fantastic March for Life team and board.

(01:12:27)
Each year leading this organization, I have felt that God was giving me a vision for what I thought the March for Life should be and could be under my direction. Over the past couple of years, I sensed that the march was at a very good point with so much growth and that I'd done what God had asked of me in this role and that it was time for me to explore other paths.

(01:12:52)
I and our board prayed for leadership. We prayed for the new right leader. God has answered these prayers. Over the past few months, I've begun working closely with my successor. She is a woman of strong faith, compassion, conviction for the pro-life cause. Soon, after today, the new March for Life president will be Jennie Bradley Lichter. And, over the past three months, Jennie and I have become great colleagues and very good friends. I am confident that she is the woman meant to lead the March for Life in this next season, and I will stay involved on the board as well.

(01:13:34)
Regardless of who is leading the organization, the March for Life remains steadfast and true, and our goals remain the same. We will continue to provide a place for the real heroes, you all, the marchers, to give public witness here in our nation's capital and throughout the country at our state marches by witnessing to moms and babies. Thank you. When I say that this job has been the honor of a lifetime, words could not possibly, possibly express the depth of my respect, gratitude, and appreciation for all of you and for this incredible role. Thank you.

(01:14:18)
Now, I'm very excited to welcome to the podium, and then I'll be back, our new president-elect of the March for Life, Jennie Bradley Lichter.

Derrick Van Orden (01:14:40):

Okay. Hello marchers. I'm Jennie, and in a few days, I will be the new president of the March for Life, taking over from a hero of mine, and of all of ours, Jeanne Mancini. This is my first time standing up here at the March for Life, but it is not my first march. I wonder if there's anyone here who came to D.C. on an overnight bus ride. Well, that was me 24 years ago for my first March for Life. I was a college freshman at Notre Dame. Go Irish, I see you out there. I rode the bus through the night, slept on the floor at a Catholic parish across the river, and had an absolutely amazing experience at the march. Since then, I've been back so many times with classmates, friends, co-workers. Then, I started bringing my husband, Brian. Where is he? Here he is. There, that's Brian. And, in recent years, our three kids. You guys want to wave? But I've never forgotten my first march and the life-changing impact it had on me when I was still a teenager.

(01:16:09)
I never could have dreamed on that day that I would eventually lead the March for Life and get to greet my fellow marchers and my friends from up here. I know that in this crowd today, there are so many future pro-life leaders, maybe even my successor as president of the March for Life. I know that there are so many current pro-life leaders here, including so many young leaders who witness to people around you about the beauty and the preciousness of every single human life, no matter the circumstances. You are here because you all know that unborn people are people too, and they have a right to life just like the rest of us.

(01:16:58)
You know that the wantedness of a human being doesn't determine our value. You know that it's right and good to stand up for people who are too small to defend themselves. You know that abortion hurts women, that abortion hurts everyone it touches. I call you leaders precisely because you know these truths and you aren't afraid to say them out loud. But lately, many of the loudest voices have been shouting the lie that women need access to abortion. So, I want to talk directly to all of the young women here who are being targeted with that message.

(01:17:43)
Ladies, hear this. Loud voices might have told you that being a mother will hold you back, that having a baby at the wrong time will derail your education or your career prospects or even your shot at happiness. That your own future children are the enemies of your flourishing and fulfillment, or that your ability to bear children is your greatest weakness. You might've heard voices telling you that you're not strong enough to be a mom and still follow your dreams, that you're not strong enough, period. I am here to tell you that anyone who says those things is lying to you. You are strong enough. Motherhood is so empowering. It will make you tougher and happier and more fulfilled than you ever imagined possible. Motherhood will stretch you. Your heart will grow and grow and grow, no matter the circumstances. And, if you are ever in a situation where you can't care for your baby, you are strong enough to entrust your child to another loving family through adoption. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't.

(01:19:09)
Young men, I want to talk to you for a minute, too. Don't let anyone tell you that the way to love the women in your lives is to support abortion, let alone push them towards abortion when things look tough. People are lying to you when they say that your education or your economic security hinges on your right to kill your child in the womb. That is not what you or the women you love need. It will not make you happy. The women you love need men who are strong and confident enough to embrace the beauty and the messiness of life, no matter the circumstances. That's real love and real strength.

(01:19:59)
Before I close, I have an action item for each person here. When you get home, take a few minutes to get to know the resources available in your area for pregnant women who need a hand. Because you never know when someone in your life might confide in you about an unexpected pregnancy. Be ready for that. Commit yourself to be ready for that. Know who they can call or who you can call for them to get medical care, parenting classes, diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and be ready to be the person they can turn to for a hug. Be ready to be the voice telling them that they are strong enough.

(01:20:45)
Since I was announced as the next President of the March for Life, some people have asked me if we're done marching because Roe V. Wade was overturned. What do we think about that?

Audience (01:20:55):

No.

Derrick Van Orden (01:20:58):

No, of course we're not done. We will keep marching here in Washington until abortion is not only illegal but unthinkable. And we still have work to do. So, we are so not done, marchers. I am certainly not done. I'm just getting started here at the March for Life. I will see you all back here next year and every year until every woman and every baby is loved and protected. We will keep marching together. Thank you.

Jeanne Mancini (01:21:39):

Okay. Isn't she awesome? Yeah, I feel the same way. All right. Joining me now, they're going to be coming out here on stage, are your courageous pro-life leaders and members of the United States Congress and Senate who, in fact, just voted this week to protect life. Yeah. Please give it up for these guys and gals, please. I'd like to take a moment to recognize and thank each one of them, not only for marching with us, but for their work protecting both mother and child. So, we are joined by Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma, and if you're from the state of this representative, be sure to really cheer loudly here. Okay.

(01:22:54)
Anyone from Alabama for Senator Katie Britt? Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi. Senator Pete Ricketts from Nebraska, and moving to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Andy Biggs from Arizona, Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak from North Dakota. A little closer to home, Congressman Andy Harris from Maryland. Congressman Bob Latta from Ohio. Yeah, got a lot from Ohio. Congressman John McGuire from Virginia. Congressman Bob Onder from Missouri. We'll be hearing from him in a little bit. Congressman Chris Smith from New Jersey. Congressman Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin.

Derrick Van Orden (01:24:09):

Yeah.

Jeanne Mancini (01:24:09):

We're also blessed to have among us today Governor Jeff Landry from Louisiana. We are so honored to be joined by these elected leaders who are fighting for life across the nation and on Capitol Hill. I'm also delighted to be joined today by two incredibly dedicated leaders in Congress, Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson. We're honored to have both the U.S. Senate majority leader John Thune of North Dakota…

John Thune (01:24:43):

South Dakota. South Dakota.

Jeanne Mancini (01:24:46):

I'm sorry, let me say that one more time. We are most honored to have the U.S. Senate majority leader John Thune of South Dakota and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson of Louisiana. Let's give it up for these guys. Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson's deep commitment to passion for protecting the unborn and their mothers is truly inspiring and has been on full display these last few days in this new Congress. We are honored to have them both with us. It says a lot. In fact, this is the first time in the history of the March for Life that we've had both the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House, not only on this stage, but speaking to you today. Please help me welcoming these gentlemen to this stage.

John Thune (01:25:48):

All right. Can I move this or… Well, good afternoon, pro-lifers. It feels like a South Dakota Day here.

Audience (01:26:04):

Yeah.

(01:26:04)
Yeah.

John Thune (01:26:06):

Ladies and gentlemen, I am grateful to the March for Life for inviting me to be here with you today, and I am nothing short of inspired looking out at all of you. We stand here today, you stand here today, to bear witness to the beauty and goodness of every human life, to remind people of the great truth upon which our country was founded: that all men and women are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are the right to life, to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

(01:26:48)
And I know that some days, fighting for the right to life can seem like an uphill battle. But I want you to look around. Look around you today at the tens of thousands of Americans who will march up to Capitol Hill with you today, and I want you to remember, you are not alone. You are part of a great movement, united around the truth that every life is precious, that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and has infinite value and worth. It says in Psalm 1:39, "You formed my inward parts, you wove me in my mother's womb. I give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and my soul knows it very well."

(01:27:51)
I stand with you in this fight, and so do many of my colleagues in Congress, and, like you, we will continue to work toward a day when the lives of all human beings are protected, even when they're small, even when they're weak, even when they're vulnerable. Especially, especially when they're small or weak or vulnerable.

(01:28:17)
Ladies and gentlemen, the fight may be long, but we have the truth on our side, and I am confident, and I am confident that, at the end of the day, truth will win, life will win.

(01:28:37)
Thank you for being here today. God bless you all, and keep fighting for life. Thank you.

Mike Johnson (01:28:55):

Good morning, or afternoon. We're so glad that you've joined us here in Washington D.C. Thank you for making the trip.

(01:29:04)
It really is a great encouragement to all of us to see all of you, so many pro-life Americans, here to stand and march for the sanctity of human life. I stand here with these colleagues of mine, these leaders for life, and it means so much to us to see all of you.

(01:29:19)
For 52 years, this event has united millions of pro-life Americans just like us for the common purpose, that we believe that every child has the right to life. For two decades before I was elected to Congress, I served as a constitutional law attorney and I litigated cases to defend our fundamental freedoms like religious liberty and the sanctity of human life. And now, in this role that I have as Speaker of the House, I'm working to defend those freedoms in a different way. And the good news is, there are many leaders here in Congress just like the ones standing behind us here who are committed to doing that same thing. And, of course, my friends, it is a new golden age in America, and now, we have President Donald J. Trump back in the White House. We are entering a new era. That's right. And, with Vice President JD Vance, they have alrea- That's right. This new White House has already shown its resolve.

(01:30:25)
It's one of his first official acts. President Trump just freed and pardoned nearly two dozen wrongfully imprisoned pro-life activists. And I don't know if you saw his executive order on gender, but it defines life as beginning at conception rather than birth. And, in Congress just yesterday, the house passed the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act. It is a matter- That's right. It's a matter of basic humanity to ensure that a child who survives an abortion attempt should be cared for as he or she is lying on the table, gasping for breath. But I am so sad to tell you that only one House Democrat joined us in voting for that bill.

(01:31:17)
It's incredible, really, but it demonstrates just how important events like this today are. My friends, House and Senate Republicans are committed to protecting innocent life. We will do it. As we near the 250th anniversary of our great nation, we remember that, at the heart of our grand experiment in self-governance, is the recognition of the right to life. As Leader Thune just said, America is premised on the self-evident truth that every single person is made in the image of our creator, God. And thus, every single person has inestimable dignity and value. And your value is not related in any way to the color of your skin or what zip code you live in or what you do for a living. Your value's inherent. It is given to you by God. That's right.

(01:32:09)
What we need today is a new generation of leaders and activists like William Wilberforce and Frederick Douglass, men and women who will courageously use their voices to defend others. You, my friends, are part of that generation, and together, we are rebuilding a culture of life, and it begins now. By sharing your time and influence by volunteering to assist pregnancy resource centers, all the very practical ways that we can assist using our voices, using our influence, it's going to make a difference.

(01:32:40)
I'll close with this. I was born in January 1972. It was almost exactly one year before Roe V. Wade became the law of the land. I was the product of an unplanned teen pregnancy, and I am so eternally grateful that my mom and dad ignored all the people who told them to just take care of that problem, and they chose to embrace life and to have me, the first of their four children. If they… It's a simple fact, a very simple fact, if they had not done that, then I would not be here, and I often wonder who else we have missed and what those individuals might have contributed to our society and our world, but they were just never given the opportunity.

(01:33:24)
I often wonder when we, as a nation, will face that reality and turn our hearts back to the self-evident truths that we boldly proclaimed in our nation's birth certificate in 1776. As was said earlier, that all people are created equal and that all people are endowed by our Creator with the right to life. Let's keep working to ensure that more eyes are open, that more people will embrace those timeless truths, and that all children will be allowed the incomparable gift of being born. Thank you for being part of this movement and this noble cause. God bless this march, and may God bless the United States of America.

Audience (01:34:00):

Yeah.

Mike Johnson (01:34:00):

Thank you.

Jeanne Mancini (01:34:10):

Thank you both, Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson, for your bold leadership on this critical human rights issue. Thank you for prioritizing legislation that will save babies who survive attempted abortions in every state across the nation. We, the pro-life movement, had a very important win in November in Florida, largely thanks… I think you know what's coming here. So, largely thanks, or I should say who's coming here. Largely thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis. Oh, gosh. His strength, commitment, and dedication ensured Florida's moms and babies were protected from the pro-abortion lobby's attempt to enshrine a right to abortion in their state constitution. Folks, let's give a warm welcome to Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis and family. Welcome.

Ron DeSantis (01:35:32):

Well, thank you for marching for life. I feel like we have a lot of momentum. So, there's this issue that the President has introduced, which I'm supportive of, to say the Constitution doesn't give birthright citizenship to people that are here illegally. I think that's the right decision of the Constitution. But it's interesting, not everyone likes that.

(01:35:57)
And so, the New York Times had a hit piece going against this, and here was their headline. "Undocumented Women Ask, Will my Unborn Child be a Citizen?" So, the New York Times is admitting it's not just a clump of cells. Let's welcome the New York Times to the pro-life movement. Wow.

(01:36:24)
Here is what you should be asking your elected officials to do on the issue of the sanctity of life. Show courage in defense of the unborn. That's what we need from the people that we elect to the office. The sanctity of life does not depend on poll results. It doesn't depend on which way the wind is blowing. It's an enduring truth, and it represents the foundation of our society, which, in our original founding document, which we will celebrate next year, the Declaration of Independence, declared that we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, beginning with the right to life itself.

(01:37:24)
And I remember when Dobbs came down, it was a big victory for the pro-life movement, but a lot of people didn't necessarily know, what were you going to do? What was the left going to do? There were all these things going. And what the left did is they poured hundreds of millions of dollars into these ballot initiatives,, and in 2022, they swept the country. I think they won every single ballot initiative in favor of, many times, abortion on demand until birth. So, we, then, in 2024 cycle, we were facing in Florida one of these initiatives in our state, and it was very deceptively worded, but when they polled it, 75% of Floridians were in favor of it. Even though the language was misleading, they got it on the ballot. They put $120 million into enacting this as part of our constitution. The media was behind them 100%. Now, this would've been the most radical amendment in the nation. It would've led to 40,000 abortions in Florida every single year and would've made Florida the epicenter for abortion tourism because we're in the Southeast, which is the most pro-life part of the country.

(01:38:36)
So, the stakes were very high here. Now, most elected officials, they'll say, "Look, what's on the ballot is not their issue. People can decide," and they washed their hands of it and they walk away. But, you know, I remember a great man once said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." So, we were not just going to sit around in Florida and do nothing. We had a responsibility to lead the charge and to do something that most people said was impossible: defeat a pro-abortion ballot measure in a state who, quite frankly, does not necessarily have overwhelming pro-life sentiment.

(01:39:17)
And so, this was very difficult because what the pro-abortion side does, they don't tell the truth. They rely on a blizzard of lies to try to be able to enact these things. So, if you turned on TV in Florida last fall, you were told that Florida's heartbeat bill somehow didn't allow pregnant women to get healthcare when they had a miscarriage or all these other things, which were bold-faced lies.

(01:39:44)
They never made the case as to why you should have elective abortions on demand up until nine months. They never made that case. They were focusing on running commercials that were lying about what we were doing in Florida. So, this was difficult because people see it on TV and they think it's true.

(01:40:04)
So, this was all hands on deck. So, we decided we had no choice but to dig in and lead, that we had all these lives that depended on this. So, we raised millions of dollars. We mobilized activists, not just in the State of Florida but around the country to come and help in Florida. Many of you were part of that. We've pressured our elected officials to get involved. We barnstormed the state. I had physicians against Amendment 4. We had survivors of abortion talking up against Amendment 4. You name it, we did it. We even mobilized our state agencies and we ran public service announcements dispelling the lies that were being told about Florida's heartbeat bill. But we were doing this, quite frankly, against the tide of public opinion. The wind was in our face, the wind was not in our backs.

(01:40:53)
But you know, it's easy to lead when the wind's at your back. Anybody can do that. The question is, when you have all the odds stacked against you, are you going to dig in and are you going to do what's right? And I'm proud to say that we defeated this radical pro-abortion amendment and we were the first state in the United States to ever defeat one.

(01:41:17)
But here's one of the lessons. We were told since Dobbs by people, political consultants, pundits, many people that are more establishment Republicans, that standing for the right to life with somehow terrible politics, you wouldn't get elected, all this other stuff. Well, I can tell you, I'm proof that that's not true, because when Dobbs was overturned, I ran on a pro-life platform on the Heartbeat Protection Act, and I won the largest victory that any Republican has ever won in the history of the State of Florida.

(01:41:54)
And I can report to you now, years later, not one single member of the Florida legislature has been defeated for voting for Florida's Heartbeat Protection Act. Not one has been defeated as a result of that. And even more so to show you the politics isn't what they say, since I signed Florida's Heartbeat Bill a couple years ago, we have gained 800,000 registered Republicans on the Democrats since we signed the legislation. So, don't let the naysayers say that you got to toss away these important convictions and that you shouldn't stand for the right to life. We showed how it can be done in the State of Florida.

(01:42:44)
We're proud that, in the last six years since I've been governor, on issue after issue, we have defeated the political left, getting rid of DEI, beating them on illegal immigration, doing all these different things to the point where Florida is now known as the state where woke goes to die.

(01:43:07)
But let me tell you, since we were able to beat Amendment 4, Florida is not only the place where woke goes to die, it's the place where babies go to live. Thank you. God bless you. Keep up the great work.

Jeanne Mancini (01:43:32):

Thank you, Governor DeSantis. I am now very happy to introduce to you a long-time friend and an ally to the pro-life movement, almost like no other, except we have so many heroes here today. So, I am referring, of course, to U.S. Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey. Congressman Smith has served as co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus for over four decades, tirelessly working on behalf of unborn children and their mothers. Please help me in welcoming to the stage, Congressman Chris Smith.

Chris Smith (01:44:11):

Jeanne, thank you so very much, and Jennie, thank you, and the March for Life Committee. What an amazing march, and you do it with such just power, and all of you here today, thank you so much.

(01:44:22)
I met my dear wife, Marie, 52 years ago in the pro-life movement. So, to you young people, it can become a dating service, and we've been working the pro-life issue ever since. But, from that perspective, both Marie and I have never been more hope-filled than we are today.

(01:44:41)
Thank you, all of you, for being here. Today's March for Life, in our opinion, is an engraved invitation to each and every one of us to seriously recommit, and we dedicate ourselves to the defense of the weakest and the most vulnerable, to recommit with love and compassion, even for our

Congressman Smith (01:45:00):

… Our opponents, who don't wish us well, to tangibly assist women, especially through the extraordinary work of pregnancy care centers, in order to protect their precious babies, but also to protect their lives. Thank you, Knights of Columbus, for getting so many nobody ultrasounds into those pregnancy care centers. And their Marist poll just found that 83% of Americans, and I hope the media will take note, support pregnancy care centers. Pregnancy care centers, as all of you know, are under siege by some politicians, but especially by Planned Parenthood, or should I call child abuse incorporated, an organization that has killed over 10 million babies in their clinics. We must end all taxpayer subsidies to Planned Parenthood. Today, we recommit to exposing abortion methods, which the other side never wants to talk about, to a society that has chosen to be blind to the realities of brutally dismembering, helpless babies with sharp curettes, knives.

(01:46:12)
And the kids, as we know, feel pain from at least a 12th week on, as they're being dismembered. And also, the poisoning of babies by literally starving them to death with the abortion pill. I asked the Secretary General of the United Nations in a meeting, Gutierrez, in my office, "Do you know how the pill works?" Because the UN and the WHO, they're all handing it out all over the world. I said, "It starves the baby to death." I'm all into world hunger, mitigating it. I've offered two bills that passed the house on global food security. He says he's for that too, and yet they're starving little children, and then many of those kids are literally flushed down the toilet. We thank President Trump for defeating not one, but two extremist pro-abortion candidates, Clinton and Harris, and for his amazing, amazing defense of unborn children.

(01:47:12)
We give thanks to God that abortion President Joe Biden is gone, but his morbid… he's gone, but his morbid legacy of packing the judiciary with abortionists, using the executive orders to kill more children, and then integrating one great program like the VA healthcare or global health with abortion. He has hijacked so many programs. Trump, President Trump's going to reverse that, and JD Vance.

(01:47:44)
Let me just conclude by saying that President Trump has done more to protect innocent children than any other President in history. I've been here since 1980 as a member of Congress. We met great Presidents, Ronald Reagan. He was great. Trump has done even more and then thank God he's back. Since the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, achieved by three Supreme Court justices that he appointed. And Justice Alito, who's from our old hometown in Hamilton, New Jersey, half the states have enacted laws to protect the unborn child, saving about 200,000 or more children. We are winning. Kids are surviving, because of that reversal. The bottom line, ladies and gentlemen, pro-lifers are a people of persevering faith in God. Through prayer and fasting, we will bear any burden. We will endure any attack. We know that the cruel injustice of abortion need not be forever. And that each day, despite setbacks, many unborn children and their mothers have been protected, and there are thriving. We have hope and we have just begun. Thank you.

Jeanne Mancini (01:49:04):

Thank you, Congressman Smith. Next up we have three inspiring women who will take the podium. First up, we will hear from Lila Rose, author, podcast host, and the President and founder of the pro-life organization Live Action. Following Lila, we will hear the courageous testimony of Dr. Catherine Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler, a certified OBGYN physician who serves on the board of the American Association of Pro-life OBGYNs. And then last, but definitely not least, we will be joined here at the podium by our youngest speaker today, Ms. Hannah Lape. Hannah is a student at Wheaton College and President of Wheaton's Voice for Life student pro-life club. Help me welcoming to the stage Lila, Dr. Wheeler and Hannah.

Lila Rose (01:50:03):

I am so blown away seeing so many of you here. I am incredibly honored and I am so excited. I want to tell you all a story. Last night I had a debate with a pro-abortion law professor at Georgetown. The room was full of students from both sides. Reflecting on my remarks on my way home, I wondered if I had made any impact on those future leaders. Hours later, I received a text. One of the pro-choice students had changed her mind and was now convinced of the humanity of the unborn child. My friends, this is half the battle, showing up.

(01:50:54)
All of you here, all of you have the power to change minds at the dinner table, on campuses, at soccer games, you can change minds. You are the voice for those who have no voice. Remember, the science is on our side. Natural law is on our side. The truth is on our side. We must simply have the courage to speak the truth with love, courage is contagious. One change of heart can save a life. We must also speak the truth to our elected officials. We can start by demanding that they defund Planned Parenthood. It's time. Give that $700 million to pregnancy resource centers instead.

(01:52:04)
And most importantly, we must urge our elected officials to abolish abortion. Abolishing abortion is the most important human rights cause of our time. One million of our unborn brothers and sisters are killed every year by abortion. I am so inspired by the incredible love and heroism of Joan Bell, who I believe is here today, and all the other amazing pro-life activists who were granted their freedom yesterday, thanks to President Trump and VP Vance. Thank you, Vice President Vance and President Trump. We can usher in a new golden age for America when we protect every life from the moment of conception. This is our moment. I am so proud of all of you and I'm so proud of what our nation is, and will become by God's grace. Make America pro-life again. Thank you.

Dr. Catherine Wheeler (01:53:28):

I'm taller. Have you ever looked back and thought, "Well, I shouldn't plan any of this for my life?"

(01:53:36)
Yet life has a way of getting you right exactly where you need to be. I never planned to be an OBGYN. I never planned to be a mother, but then in medical school I had an unplanned pregnancy. First thing I thought was my life and my career are over, because isn't that what they tell us women? But the first person I told said, "You're going to be an amazing mother. That's amazing."

(01:53:59)
And more women need to hear that. Yes. I immediately fell in love with this little one. Couldn't believe the love and the miracle of getting to grow a baby. My first rotation back after having my first child was OB, and there I was in the room watching my first birth and just falling apart, weeping at the beautiful miracle of life. It became a passion for me. I was absolutely hooked. It was my greatest joy, right underneath having my children. But then I went to residency and in residency I was introduced to abortion, specifically for babies with special needs that we would've called birth defects and anomalies.

(01:54:42)
And we were told in that situation, it's a woman's right to choose. You're not here to judge. If you care about women, this is one of the things that we do in medicine. So for the first time we didn't talk about the baby or healing. We instead talked about terminating and ending. And for the first time, we completely disregarded and actually intentionally took the life of one of our patients. That was the way I thought about abortion as I did them, that I was helping women. Until one day, and I can't tell you what happened, why, but suddenly the blinders came off.

(01:55:17)
And for the first time I actually saw the baby I was about to kill with horror. And for the first time I actually felt the evil presence in the room of what was behind abortion. Somehow I did that abortion. I don't know how. I never did another abortion in my life. And it's been a long road to become a hundred percent pro-life. Yes, thank you, God. My patients always told me the truth about abortion. They told me about how abortion harmed them about their regret. They would cry to me about their abortions. But when I went to the literature as now somebody who believed in God and knew the horrors of abortion, I found that tragically they had been lying to me, but my patients told me the truth. I had somebody ask me on an airplane once, "How in the world when you've done something that horrible, do you even get up?"

(01:56:10)
And I'll tell you, I came to know Jesus and I came to know his love. Thank you, God. I came to know his love in forgiveness. And so, only because of Jesus can I stand up in front of you today and only because of Jesus can I tell people the dignity, the humanity, and the amazing miracle of babies. And that abortions not only take innocent lives, but they harm women too and they harm all of us. I am here today if you've had an abortion as an abortionist, I want you to know how sorry I am. And I know that there are people listening who've participated in abortion some way, who don't yet know love and forgiveness, and that you don't have to carry this burden anymore. And to you, I say please contact me. I would love to talk with you, the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs. And this is why I march. Life is an incredible, beautiful miracle, and God's grace is available for every single one of us. God bless you.

Hannah Lape (01:57:22):

Well, good afternoon. My name is Hannah Lape. I am Co-President of Voice for Life at Wheaton College. For 40 years, Voice for Life has existed to build a culture of life on Wheaton's campus and to serve local moms, babies and families. Wheaton is so excited to be here this morning and we'd like to thank Jeannie Mancini for inviting us to carry the March for Life's historic banner. In 1970, planned Parenthood committed its first clinical abortion in Syracuse, New York, only blocks away from the hospital where I was born in 2002. This abortion was the first in a decades-long genocide that has taken the lives of 65 million boys and girls in the United States alone. With these 65 million, we mourn too for their mothers. If the abortion industry truly cared for women, it would admit the lethal danger of abortion drugs. It would stop leveraging public confusion for political gain. And because abortion is never medically necessary, it would offer both patients in every pregnancy life-affirming care. Mom and baby. Today we affirm that the pro-life generation will not rest until every single abortion facility in our nation closes its doors for good.

(01:58:41)
We will march until every child is protected by federal law, until abortion is unthinkable, and until every pregnant woman receives excellent prenatal care. With a new administration and the fall of Roe V. Wade, the next four years of America's history will be defined either by courage or by cowardice. Abortion is not a state's rights issue to be ignored. It is a fundamental human rights crisis weighing on America's shoulders. Our country cannot be great until the pre-born are protected and are protected the right to life.

(01:59:20)
Our confidence in the sanctity of all human life from conception runs deeper than civic responsibility, however. It is a timeless gospel truth. We have the assurance that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. The risen king who sits in glory at the right hand of the Father, is the same humble servant who took on flesh in Mary's womb. He was fully God and fully zygote, fully embryo, fully fetus, fully infant, fully child and fully man. And so, we celebrate today that every preborn child is knit together in the image of God. And we ask our nation to defend their constitutional right to life, not just for those who are healthy, wealthy, wanted, convenient or respected, but for every child. Tens of thousands strong, we are a voice for life, and we will speak until heaven meets earth, when death shall be no more. Thank you.

Jeanne Mancini (02:00:17):

All right, well, thank you so much, Lila, Dr. Wheeler and Hannah. Next up, we have two more inspiring speakers. First up is Beverly Jacobson, joined by her daughter Verity. Beautiful. Verity is so beautiful. You will see. Beverly will share what inspired her to begin her nonprofit Mama Bear Care. And I should say Beverly's husband is also joining her up here following Beverly is Josiah Presley, another incredibly inspiring story. I can't wait for you to hear his testimony. I'll leave it at that. So please give a warm welcome to Beverly and to Josiah.

Beverly Jacobson (02:01:16):

Are there any mama bears here today? Let me hear you if you're a mama bear. You know that mama bear comes out when someone messes with your kid, right? Let me tell you about when I became a mama bear. I was five months pregnant, but I wasn't excited. I was terrified. We had been told that our baby girl had Edward Syndrome and this is a condition they said was incompatible with life. So I was meeting with a specialty doctor, because I needed information, I needed hope, I needed someone to show me a path through this, and instead this is what I heard.

(02:01:50)
"So you're here to talk about your retarded daughter." He went on to say that if she survived, she would be a drain on the family, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Well, let me tell you, mama bear woke up. And something changed in me that day and it changed the course of our whole journey, because as mama bear rose up, so did hope. A fierce love swept over me, driving me to find the tender care that my baby needed. And look, Verity is here with us today. She is about to celebrate her eighth birthday. Yeah, she is such a gift from God.

(02:02:44)
Now, I'm not going to sugarcoat anything. This has not been an easy journey. But as we began to find our new normal, we started reaching out to other families who were on this journey. And over the last few years through our nonprofit ministry, we have been building an army of mama bears, rising up to fight for these precious kids, because these mama bears are told over and over that abortion is the logical next step after they get a prenatal diagnosis.

(02:03:14)
But these mama bears need hope. They need to know that there are people and resources to help them. And most of all these mama bears, they need to know that their baby bears are a gift from God, who deserve to be celebrated. I want to invite you to join the Mama Bear movement. You can learn more and get connected with our ministry at Mamabearcare.org. And this is where we advocate for fierce love and tender care. So why do I march for life? I march for life, because Verity deserves to be celebrated. Why do we all march for life? Because we know that every mama bear and every baby bear deserves to be celebrated. Thank you.

Josiah Presley (02:04:16):

Good afternoon. On behalf of the Abortion Survivors Network, I want to thank you all for being here today. I'm adopted from South Korea and two months into my birth mother's pregnancy with me, she decided to have a DNC abortion. This is a type of abortion where the doctor goes into the mother's womb and rips the baby apart, and brings them out in pieces. At the time they thought everything had gone according to plan and they sent her home. But it wasn't until a few months later that she realized that the abortion had actually failed. And I was still very much so alive. At this point, I was kept and born later on that year. I lived in a foster home for 13 months and then was adopted into the Presley family, and raised here in the States. This journey has been a long journey. This journey has been a difficult journey, but this has been the journey that God has placed on my life.

(02:05:19)
And today I march to be a voice for those who are voiceless, like I was all those years ago. Today I march because when I was unseen and devalued, my God had a different plan. And today we march to declare what our Creator has already declared, that all human life is valuable, because it's created in the image of God. And I don't want you to miss this powerful point today. Today, it's not powerful, it's not a moving day, because of us few up here on the platform. Today is a powerful day because of each and every one of you, because of each and every one of us. Individuals created in the image of God and called by our creator to gather today, and in one unignorable voice, send an unignorable message that every human life is valuable. Across all ages, stages, ethnicities, economic statuses, abilities or circumstances.

(02:06:28)
I leave you with this. In Matthew five, Jesus, he says this, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor does anybody light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. And the same way, let your good work shine before others, so that they may see your Father who's in heaven, and give glory to him." Today we are shining brightly and may we continue to shine every day for the glory of our creator. Thank you and God bless.

Jeanne Mancini (02:07:12):

Thank you, Beverly and Josiah, for sharing your very, very powerful testimonies. Stories like theirs highlight the need for life-saving legislation at the federal level, like the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act that the House passed and the Senate voted on just this week. We need to continue to call on Congress and the White House to prioritize pro-life, pro-women, and pro-family policies, so that abortion one day soon becomes unthinkable.

(02:07:43)
Right now, you are going to have the opportunity to contact your elected officials and the White House, calling on them to protect the most vulnerable among us. So here's what I'm going to ask you to do. You've done this before. Grab your cell phone, pull it out right now, hold it up. Okay, I see some of you holding it up. I'm going to start calling some of you out. Mary, Margaret, hold up your cell phones. We're doing a call to action. Yes, thank you. So now I want you to text M-A-R-C-H to 73075. M-A-R-C-H to 73075. Send a message to Congress that you want them to protect both mom and baby. Brian, hold up that phone. All right, hold up that phone back there with that white hat. Come on. Let's see your phones up there. 73075, M-A-R-C-H. Text march to 73075 to be a voice for the voiceless.

(02:08:48)
Every voice counts. So send that text, M-A-R-C-H to 73705. And together, we'll send this important message to our elected officials. I know you've all been waiting for our next speaker, our keynote. I'm very happy to introduce you to our keynote, Bethany Hamilton, known for one of the greatest comeback stories of all time, having lost her arm to a shark at the age of 13, only to return to surfing one month after. Bethany's story of determination, faith and hope has resounded in encouragement worldwide. Please, give a warm Hawaiian welcome to Bethany Hamilton.

Bethany Hamilton (02:09:37):

Aloha. Woohoo. We're here to celebrate life. The God-given beauty of children and life, and the next generation. Oh, my life has had many turns that I couldn't have foreseen or planned myself. And I think all of us have that at one moment or another. But at just 13 years old when I lost my arm, I thought, "I can't surf with one arm." My life felt upside down, confusing. I felt like everything was chaotic. I didn't know what my future held. I needed hope. Someone came alongside of me and gave me hope that I could surf with an arm. They gave me a hint of inspiration that I could do it, and that gave me the courage and bravery to do what I hadn't seen anyone else do, surf with one arm. It ignited a desire in me to try, try something that I hadn't seen anyone else do.

(02:10:43)
Fast forward, let me share something deeply personal with you. I remember the moment when I first had my very first pregnancy test. I had a similar fear. I didn't think I could do it. I don't know where that came from. I came from a great family, a Christian household. I was married to a wonderful man and all of a sudden I was rejecting this God-given gift and beauty that was only a blessing. What made me think that I wasn't ready? I was at the height of my career. We so often put our career before our children, our family, our loved ones, but still, just like the woman struggling to want to keep her baby. I had similar struggles and it's humbling now when I look back on that. But the society and culture is so strong, filled with so many lives and we're all hearing it. I believe that even though everyone here is pro-life, some of you may even struggle with this at some point. None of us are above that. These people aren't inherently evil. They're just being fed lies. And the more they hear these lies, the more they believe them.

(02:12:08)
Now imagine, I had all the support in the world to bring this life, but imagine the woman who doesn't have all the support in the world. She's struggling to have hope that she can do it. She's being fed these lies, that she can't do it and that that life has no value. She's scared. She's alone. She's overwhelmed. She feels like her life is upside down. She's being told that death is better than life. But who are we to choose death on behalf of someone else? So here's what I've discovered, and I hope that you here today can help spread this message of hope to all the young women who need to hear this, and maybe even more important to raise up a generation of young men who can come alongside and do the right thing, to serve that woman in the way that she needs.

(02:13:12)
We need strong men. Come on, boys, let's hear it. Now, being a mother of four, they are my greatest joy, the most beautiful blessing. They are the high of my every single day. Yes, there's challenges and yes, it's difficult at times, but the beauty sure outweighs the challenge. And I look forward to every single day, serving my beautiful children and sharing life with them. Children are true wealth and they're truly the greatest blessing that God has to offer us, alongside of his grace. And so, today, as we rally around a cause that God has called us to, to protect life and to love our neighbor, to come alongside of that young man and women who are thinking of choosing death, to be that person, to bring them hope. When I lost my arm, someone came alongside of me and gave me hope. They reminded me of God's love and that maybe there was more to my life, and who knew what was possible?

(02:14:20)
And so, these women, they need hope. They need encouragement. They need light in their life. And we as a society need to combat the lies that are being fed to them each and every day. Get strong on social media, because the truth is this is where everyone is being fed these lies. And so, to all the women who feel like they're not ready for this, let's be a reminder to them, to be willing to try and to put themselves out there, to do what seems impossible. Children are heritage from the Lord. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them. So as we march, March for Life, the greatest gift of all, let us send a message of hope and love, to the moms and mothers to be, and to the fathers that they too can say to themselves, "I don't need easy. I just need possible." Thank you. And aloha.

Jeanne Mancini (02:15:25):

Okay. Okay. And now, I'd like to announce a very special video.

President Trump (02:15:37):

Hello to everyone at the March for Life. It's a pleasure to speak to you from the beautiful Oval Office. That's where we are right now, the magnificent Oval Office. And thank you for turning out once again to show your extraordinary love and compassion for the unborn. Each year, Americans of every age, color, and background travel to our nation's capital by the tens of thousands to stand up for precious little babies who cannot stand up for themselves. I am proud to be the first President ever to have joined you in person. As you know, this annual march started 52 years ago on the first anniversary of the disastrous ruling known as Roe V. Wade. That unconstitutional decision took power away from the states and the voters, kicking off 50 years of division and anger. But thanks to your tireless work and devotion across five decades, that historic wrong was set right, three years ago.

(02:16:41)
I was so proud to be a participant. Six courageous justices of the Supreme Court of the United States returned the issue to the state legislatures and to the people, where it belongs. It became a vote of the people. In my second term, we will again stand proudly for families and for life. We will protect the historic gains we have made and stop the Radical Democrat push for a federal right to unlimited abortion on demand, up to the moment of birth and even after birth. Think of that, after birth, and some people want that. Can you believe it? We will work to offer a loving hand to new mothers and young families, and we will support adoption and foster care. We will protect women and vulnerable children. Under my leadership, a reformed Department of Justice will finally investigate the radical left attacks on churches and crisis pregnancy centers, and we will bring perpetrators to justice.

(02:17:43)
We will get them to justice one way or the other. I will also end the weaponization of law enforcement against Americans of Faith, and I'm releasing the Christians and pro-life activists who were persecuted by the Biden regime for praying and living out their faith. I just signed that document and they're being released. One such American was Paula Harlow. At 75 years old, Paula was sentenced to two years in prison after praying outside of a clinic. That's why she was sentenced to two years. That's what happened under the Biden regime.

(02:18:20)
In her sentencing, the judge mocked her Christian faith while her husband pleaded to be thrown in jail with his wife, fearing she would die alone behind bars. This week, it was my honor to grant a full and complete pardon to Paula and many others who were the victims of this horrific weaponization. Never again will religious persecution be allowed to happen in America. To all of the very special people marching today in this bitter cold, I know your hearts are warm and your spirits are strong, because your mission is just very, very pure. To forge a society that welcomes and protects every child as a beautiful gift from the hand of our Creator, thank you for never losing hope and never giving up. Thank you for your tremendous support. God bless you, and God bless America.

Speaker 49 (02:19:19):

Wow. How about that, right? USA. I heard President Trump tell a reporter this morning that he would be watching the March for Life today. So let's let him hear our gratitude for those strong pro-life policy commitments. Thank you, President Trump. We are with you as you continue to stand up for unborn human beings and moms who need a hand. I also want to acknowledge a few members of the President's senior domestic policy team, who are here today. These are the

Speaker 49 (02:20:00):

… the people who will be working on the pro-life policy agenda, so you can keep them all in your prayers. My friends, the Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Vince Haley, is here. Deputy Director Heidi Overton, and Special Assistant to the President Wells King. Thank you all for being here and for your hard work.

(02:20:22)
Well, last time I was on this stage I said I was just getting started, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all back here next year. It is now my honor to introduce to you someone else who is just getting started and who I certainly hope will be back here marching with us again in years to come. In his first public event since he took the oath of office just a few days ago with his beautiful young family by his side, please help me welcome your Vice President of the United States, J.D. Vance.

J.D. Vance (02:21:06):

Let me say thank you. Good afternoon, marchers. Thank you for having me and it is an honor to be standing with you here today for life. We are proud to march with you, and yes, we will be back next year. The excitement, the passion, the unwavering conviction that every single person here on the National Mall clearly feels, it is deeply moving to me and means more to President Trump and I than I could possibly say. For over a half century, this march has united tens of thousands of Americans from all walks of life to rally for the cause of life in our nation. It is the single largest gathering in the world to celebrate our movement, the victories we've fought so hard for, and yes, the victories yet to come. And I want to personally welcome all of you who have traveled from far and wide to our nation's capital. Thank you for your dedication, and it is an incredible crowd. It is great to see you today. On Monday, we were forced to move all of the inauguration events indoors because of the bitter cold, and it was cold. But you guys, and it's cold today, here you are outside in an especially frigid January. And I don't think I've ever seen such a joyful crowd out here, particularly during this time of year. As you all know, the event theme this year is Life, Why We March. And there are obvious answers to the implicit question it poses. We march to protect the unborn. We march to proclaim and live out the sacred truth that every single child is a miracle and a gift from God. Now, each time Usha and I welcomed our own children into the world, we saw firsthand the indescribable beauty of new life. And yes, as you can see sometimes, the behavioral challenges that we had on Monday, but they were good. They were good. And watching all three of our kids grow, learn, and become who they are today has been the single greatest blessing of our lives. Now, every parent here knows that feeling, that awe, at a newborn child. It is our responsibility to cherish and to protect it. But thinking about the question of why we march, there are also some subtler but equally more important answers to that question that I want to reflect on today. Now, the task of our movement is to protect innocent life, it's to defend the unborn, and it's also to be pro-family and pro-life in the fullest sense of that word possible. Now, across my own lifetime, I can't tell you the number of friends and other acquaintances I've had who, facing a pregnancy or the prospect of one, react not with joy, but with concern. They wonder how can they afford it? What will it mean for their education, their career, their relationship, or their family? And I know how many of you in this crowd have devoted immeasurable time and resources to help answer those questions and to lend a hand to young people facing a moment of desperation. But by and large, our society, our country, has not yet stepped up in the way you have, and our government certainly has failed and that important responsibility. We failed a generation not only by permitting a culture of abortion on demand, but also by neglecting to help young parents achieve the ingredients they need to lead a happy and meaningful life. A culture of radical individualism took root, one where the responsibilities and joys the family life were seen as obstacles to overcome, not as personal fulfillment or personal blessings.

(02:26:20)
Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another is a core part of living in a society to begin with. So let me say very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America. I want more happy children in our country. And I want beautiful young men and women who are eager to welcome them into the world and eager to raise them. And it is the task of our government to make it easier for young moms and dads to afford to have kids, to bring them into the world, and to welcome them as the blessings that we know they are here at the March for Life.

(02:27:25)
Now, it should be easier. Easier to raise a family, easier to find a good job, easier to build a home, to raise that family in, easier to save up and purchase a good stroller, a crib for a nursery. We need a culture that celebrates life at all stages, one that recognizes and truly believes that the benchmark of national success is not our GDP number or our stock market, but whether people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families in our country. And that brings me back to where we stand today. Earlier this week, President Donald J. Trump stood in the Capitol rotunda and took the of office, becoming not just the 45th but now the 47th President of the United States. And I know all of you helped.

(02:28:23)
With the inauguration on Monday, our country faces the return of the most pro-family, most pro-life American president of our lifetimes. Now, this is the man who delivered on his promise of ending Roe, giving us a monumental earth-shattering decision in Dobbs. The man appointed hundreds of pro-life judges dedicated to defending the constitutional liberties of all Americans. And the man who supported pro-family policies like doubling the child tax credit, which happened during his first administration, and which we're going to do so much more on in the second administration. Now he's back and we're going to do it again.

(02:29:23)
Now, yesterday, President Trump issued a strong endorsement of the Born Alive Abortion Act, ensuring that those babies who survived botched abortions enjoy the equal protection under law, which is the obligation of every citizen to enjoy in this country. With his return to office, no longer will the federal government direct FBI raids on the homes of people like Mark Houck and other Catholic and Christian activists who are fighting for the unborn every single day. And no longer will our government throw pro-life protesters and activists, elderly grandparents or anybody else, in prison. It stopped on Monday and we're not going to let it come back to this country. Instead, and I know you all saw the news, the 47th president has already issued pardons to those unjustly imprisoned. And I want to be clear that this administration stands by you, we stand with you, and most importantly, we stand with the most vulnerable and the basic principle that people exercising the right to protest on behalf of the most vulnerable should never have the government go after them ever again. Now, the crowd assembled here in this incredible National Mall provides an extraordinary example for our nation. You donate to diaper banks. You help find housing for those in need. You help fund the crisis pregnancy centers that give help to young women and young men in a time of crisis. You guys are the beating heart of the pro-life movement and you have saved many lives already and you're going to save more again. You being here at this very march is a reminder of the incredible strength and unity of the pro-life movement, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for being here and thank you for marching here today. And most importantly, in your works, you remind us that the March for Life is not just a single event that happens on a frigid January day. The March for Life is the work of the pro-life movement every single day from this point forward.

(02:32:26)
Now, it is a lifelong call to action, a moment in time. But every single day that you guys do what you do, from supporting young moms and dads to fighting for the unborn to working with our legislatures at the state and federal level, you make it possible for us to stand here and say that America is fundamentally a pro-baby, a pro-life, and a pro-family country. Now, I hesitate to give you all advice because I can see there are young and old people who have been in the pro-life movement, some of you for longer than I've even been alive, and I'm grateful to you. But if I could offer one piece of advice, it's a piece of advice born out of my own experience. There was a point when I would get frustrated with people who didn't see what we saw. I would get frustrated that people could look at a picture of a baby on an ultrasound and see not a human being, but just a clump of cells.

(02:33:38)
But one of the things that being a father has taught me, and one of the things that being in politics has taught me over the last couple of years, is that it is a blessing to know the truth, and the truth is that unborn life is worthy of protection. So please go forth, not with frustration, but with joy. We are joyful to march for life. We are joyful to know that that picture on an ultrasound, that is a picture of a baby with hopes and dreams and potential to come. It is a joy and a blessing to fight for the unborn, to work for the unborn, and to march for life. God bless you all and thank you for having me. It's an honor to be with you.

Jeanne Mancini (02:35:21):

Wow. Can we give a warm thank you to Mr. Vice President? We are most grateful that you would choose the March for Life to be the first public event in office. Joining us now to lead us in prayer is the Reverend Dr. Matthew Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He has many pastors who are here with him today and they join him in solidarity. Shortly after, we will begin to march. You all have been so patient with our incredible lineup of speakers, but let's give a warm and honorable welcome to Reverend Dr. Matthew Harrison.

Reverend Dr. Matthew Harrison (02:36:17):

Why do we march? Because the blood of Jesus Christ, God's son, cleanses us from all our sins. Why do we march? Because many consciences in America have died and we believe in resurrections and we say, "Lazarus, come out." Have I got my guys coming? Have I got my homies? They tell me my homies are coming. We are the pro-life Lutherans, the LCMS, and we have a [inaudible 02:36:56]. They're not coming. The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Let's rock and roll.

Speaker 50 (02:37:35):

From all of us in the United States Senate, we wanted to say thank you to all of you for coming out on this cold January day to stand for the value of every single child.

Speaker 56 (02:37:46):

Today we stand united not just in belief but in conviction that every human life is sacred.

Speaker 50 (02:37:52):

Being pro-life is about more than words. It's about action.

Speaker 51 (02:37:56):

Your presence is a powerful reminder of the value of every human life.

Speaker 52 (02:38:01):

I'm encouraged that so many Americans can come together, united by one message. Life matters.

Speaker 50 (02:38:09):

Now more than ever, we must stand together in the fight to protect the unborn.

Speaker 57 (02:38:15):

The fight for life is the defining moral question of our time. It demands that we be a voice for the voiceless.

Speaker 51 (02:38:22):

More than 55 million Americans will never touch their feet on the soil because of abortion.

Speaker 58 (02:38:29):

And I think that we're in a pivotal time right now. We need people to show up and let their voices be heard.

Speaker 59 (02:38:34):

And one of the most common sense things we need to be doing as conservatives is protecting our most vulnerable.

Speaker 60 (02:38:39):

We march for the conscience rights of millions of healthcare providers, and we march for the rights of millions of pro-life taxpayers.

Speaker 61 (02:38:46):

There is power in numbers, and together we must continue to use our voices to uphold the values.

Speaker 53 (02:38:54):

This is a beautiful event and it's so encouraging that many of you are maintaining this sacred tradition.

Speaker 62 (02:38:59):

To march for those who God already knows, but we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting.

Speaker 54 (02:39:05):

We march for every baby, mother, and life brought into this world.

Speaker 63 (02:39:10):

Because of you, tens of thousands of innocent babies have been saved nationwide.

Speaker 64 (02:39:15):

Together we can improve healthcare, support new moms, and honor the dignity of every human life.

Speaker 53 (02:39:21):

Your advocacy is turning the tide of our country so that mothers and unborn children can receive the support that they deserve.

Speaker 65 (02:39:32):

I'm proud to be pro-life, pro-woman, and pro-family.

Speaker 51 (02:39:37):

I'm proud to stand with you and fight for pro-life, pro-family policies.

Speaker 66 (02:39:42):

There's no greater cause than giving a voice to the voiceless.

Speaker 50 (02:39:46):

The miles of progress that we've won were achieved inch by inch and step by step.

Speaker 67 (02:39:53):

Children are the most precious gift in the future of our great nation.

Speaker 68 (02:39:57):

I know there is no greater gift than being a parent.

Speaker 69 (02:40:00):

You remind us that our pro-life movement is about love and compassion. Working together, we can defend life and empower women.

Speaker 70 (02:40:07):

And let's continue to fight for the unborn, for the sanctity of life, and for the dignity of our most vulnerable.

Speaker 71 (02:40:17):

But it's because of you that I'm inspired that we can create a culture from coast to coast that both values and protects life.

Speaker 72 (02:40:24):

Just know that you have my gratitude for your incredible courage, for standing up for the most fundamental right of all, the right to life.

Speaker 73 (02:40:33):

Your efforts have helped in enact policies that respect the value of every person, especially vulnerable mothers and children.

Speaker 55 (02:40:42):

We thank you for that. We thank you for your commitment.

Speaker 51 (02:40:44):

Thank you all for standing up for what we believe in, and thank you for everything you will continue to do to fight for the rights of the unborn.

Speaker 74 (02:40:52):

I'm with you and we continue to work for life.

Speaker 54 (02:40:56):

Thank you. Every life matters and you're showing it by being here.

Speaker 75 (02:41:00):

God bless all of you and God bless the mothers and the unborn babies.

Speaker 76 (02:41:04):

God bless you in your stance. Thank you for your witness, your courage, and your tenacity.

Speaker 77 (02:41:09):

Keep on lifting up your hearts in prayer, keep on lifting your voices in the public arena, and keep on marching for life.

Speaker 53 (02:41:17):

Let's continue moving forward, united in our mission to protect and support every life.

Speaker 50 (02:41:23):

Every single child, born and unborn, is valuable. Valuable in the sight of God and valuable to all of us. Thank you for coming out to be able to march for life.

Jeanne Mancini (02:41:36):

Thank you, Senators. And as we're beginning to line up for the March for Life, we have a few last things happening. First, I'd like to thank Pastor Harrison for that beautiful prayer. The March for Life is committed to building a culture of life not just here in our nation's capital, but in communities across our country through our State March program. Our ongoing efforts to build a culture of life requires significant resources. Your support today will empower us to expand our reach, to inspire more men and women like you, and to defend the most vulnerable citizens in this country, the unborn. For those of you who are watching live, and for those of you who are getting ready and lining up to march, I can't tell you how much we would appreciate your support of the March for Life.

(02:42:23)
Your support of the March for Life will help us to be able to do more state marches. We would be so very grateful If you would consider today making a financial gift of $20 by texting give, G-I-V-E, to 73075. G-I-V-E to 73075. Together we can make a difference in every state, one step at a time. And to tell you just a little bit more about our state marches, our very own senior director of the State March program, Erin Getz, will join us here on stage shortly.

Erin Getz (02:43:02):

Thank you, Jeanne Mancini, my incredible President of the March for Life. Can we hear it for her last March for life as President? Let me get a round of applause for Jeanne. What a record year 2024 was for the State March program. We marched in 16 capitals across the country, double that of the year before. We are so grateful to our local partners who helped make this possible. It is incredibly inspiring to see thousands of you marchers come together here for mom and baby, from all the way in Connecticut to California. Many of our incredible partners and affiliates are here on stage with me, so I'm going to ask them to wave. We have California. We got Ohio. We have Virginia and Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Oregon, Kansas, and Kentucky. Let's hear it for our state marches taking the fight to the capital and across our country. I am also surrounded by other incredible pro-life leaders from across the nation who work each and every day to build a culture of life in our communities. You can see their names on the screens to my left and right. Each organization they represent meets a different need in the pro-life movement in our local communities. With over 65 million Americans lost to abortion and millions of women and families wounded, the work for all of us is not over. We now honor each and every one of you and your life-saving missions and invaluable work. Thank you for the incredible work you do day in and day out to make abortion unthinkable. As we begin to march, you'll hear a special rendition of God Bless America by Matthew West.

(02:44:51)
I also have a few administrative announcements. First, if you have trash, please dump it here on the dumpster on the mall. Do not throw it on the ground. Please follow the guidance of our marshals who will point you in the right direction to participate. I know some of you have already went that way, but follow them. They're in white jackets. And march safely. Now, are you ready to march? With Roe vs. Wade gone, our mission continues. We will keep being a voice for the voiceless. We'll keep mobilizing in the states. We'll keep uniting here in D.C., and we will keep marching for life. And we will keep speaking out until abortion is both unthinkable and illegal, until the day that abortion is no more. Now is the time. Let's march. Thank you, everyone.

Matthew West (02:45:50):

God bless America. Land that I love.

(02:45:58)
Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.

(02:46:07)
From the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam.

(02:46:18)
God bless America, my home sweet home.

(02:46:28)
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Speaker 78 (02:46:37):

The country and world changed on June 24th.

Speaker 79 (02:46:55):

With the overturn of Roe and the Dobbs decision, the states are all the more important.

Speaker 32 (02:46:59):

After the Dobbs decision, abortion policy is return to the elected representatives of the people, and so being here in state capitals to stand up for life is more important than it's ever been before.

Speaker 33 (02:47:09):

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you here to the third annual California March for Life.

Speaker 34 (02:47:17):

We are here today to be a voice for the voiceless in Michigan here in Lansing.

Speaker 80 (02:47:21):

Now is the time to change hearts and minds in the state of Colorado.

Speaker 81 (02:47:25):

This is a wonderful day for our inaugural Colorado March for Life.

Speaker 36 (02:47:30):

Seven out of 10 women who get abortions are coerced into abortion.

Speaker 37 (02:47:35):

It can be easy to fall into despair and hopelessness, just given the legislation and the laws that we're up against. It's important to speak truth, to go out there, to be that voice, to be that hope, to be that light in the darkness.

Speaker 82 (02:47:52):

And while the march began as a response to Roe, we don't end as a response to Roe being overturned.