The College Fix

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 52nd annual March for Life brought together universities, high schools, families, legislators, and more to the heart of Washington D.C. to once again flood the streets in support of the pro-life movement.

This is the third march since the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and affirmed there is no federal right to abortion in the Constitution.

Students from across the country traveled to D.C. for the March today, including a group from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“It’s been part of the mission and the ministry of Franciscan University to be able to support life,” Dave Pivonka, the president of Franciscan, told The College Fix, during a phone interview. Pivonka, who is also a Catholic priest, said around 700 students came from the Ohio Catholic university.

“It’s a real sacrifice,” Pivonka said, about traveling overnight to cold Washington, D.C on a bus ride.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful opportunity,” he said, referencing the “vitality of the young people” coming together to oppose abortion. “I’m always really proud,” Pivonka said of all the students who turned out for the March for Life.

The pre-march rally began with a prayer from Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City.

Outgoing March for Life President Jeanne Mancini also spoke before the rally on defending all human life and the importance of pregnancy resource centers. Jennie Lichter, the incoming president of March for Life, also spoke.

Other speakers included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Vice President JD Vance, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The president of Voice for Life at Wheaton College also spoke. The Illinois college’s pro-life group was picked to lead the March for Life. “We will march until every child is protected by federal law, until abortion is unthinkable, and every pregnant woman receives excellent prenatal care,” Hannah Lape said.

She also called it a “human rights crisis” and called for protecting the preborn.

Turning Point Action representative Miguel Pilar told The Fix that it is “very important that we are here today to stand up for life.”

Commenting on the presence of young people at the march, Pilar said it is “so important.”

“Gen Z’ers…[is] becoming the largest voting bloc,” the Michigan native told The Fix during an in-person interview.

“A lot of young people will get inspired,” this year said Pilar, who shared it is his first March for Life.

Although the March for Life occurred in the cold, that did not dampen the spirits of the young pro-lifers.

Thousands of students, both high school and college, came to support the movement.

“It means a lot for such a grand showing and witness for life in D.C. every year,” Vincent Russel, co-leader of Franciscan’s group said. “Young adults, children in high school, and families all across America need to show that they are serious about this.”

MORE: Northeastern U. to host ‘Abortion Launch Party’ celebrating deadly pills on campus

IMAGES: EWTN/YouTube; Nancy Bareham for The College Fix

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