Liberty University students traveled by bus Jan. 24 to stand for the unborn during the annual March for Life event in Washington, D.C.
A group of over 1,000 students gathered in front of the Freedom Tower at 4:30 a.m. to grab a to-go breakfast and board their assigned buses, which departed at 5:30 a.m. Approximately four hours later, the fleet of 20 buses dropped the excited students off at Union Station. From there, the students began their journey on foot towards the National Mall.
The students were guided by their bus captains outside of Union Station towards the Columbus Statue where Ryan Helfenbein, Liberty’s vice president of communications and public engagement, addressed the cluster of students via megaphone. Helfenbein told the students why it is vital to participate in this march before inviting Rep. John McGuire (R-Va) to speak.
“What a privilege, what an opportunity it is to stand for life in this next generation,” Helfenbein said. “I want to welcome Congressman McGuire, our congressman, he’s here just to give y’all a greeting and a send-off….”
McGuire spoke to the group about his time in government and the importance of the day’s march.
“Life is a miracle that must be protected,” McGuire said.
After taking a photo with McGuire, the students journeyed past the U.S. Capitol building, the National Archives Museum and a series of art museums before reaching the Washington Monument and the rally site.
Due to the high attendance numbers, many students and rally participants were stopped by Secret Service guards and had to wait outside the gates of the pre-rally before lining up for the official march a couple hours later.
Thousands of people attended a concert by Unspoken and bowed their heads in prayer. The rally also included 17 speakers, including Jeanne Mancini, the president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“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,” Mancini said.
Photo by Kadence McKinnon | Liberty Champion
Mancini explained the meaning behind the theme for the event, “Life: Why We March.” She said every human being, regardless of beliefs, gender, size, race, disability or development in the womb, has dignity. Mancini said the pro-life movement is for every woman and child.
Her final speaking point covered the power of telling one’s story. Mancini explained that telling one’s experience matters because honest stories can change the hearts and minds of others.
“Our goal is to make abortion unthinkable,” Mancini said. “Why are you here, why are you pro-life? Each of us has a reason and when you share that reason your witness makes a difference.”
After showing a video highlighting why the March for Life exists and the testimonies of those who have attended past events, Mancini testified to how she believed God had called her to grow the March for Life movement, a role she feels she has fulfilled. She announced that after much prayer between her and the March for Life’s board, she would be stepping down. Mancini then introduced the new president, Jennie Bradley Lichter, whom she called a woman with “strong faith, compassion and conviction.”
Lichter then came onto the stage with her family, sharing her story of the first March for Life she took part in, and addressed the crowd by discussing her thoughts on abortion.
“You know that the wantedness of a human being doesn’t determine our value,” Lichter said. “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; it hurts everyone it touches.”
Photo by Maria Davis | Liberty Champion
She then directed her message to the young women in the crowd.
“Loud voices may 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. …You may have heard voices telling you that you’re not strong enough to be a mom and follow your dreams … anyone who says these things is lying to you,” Lichter said.
Lichter asked those unable to care for their unborn children to consider adoption. She then said young men should stand against abortion and explained that the way to truly love the women in their lives is by showing strength amidst both the beauty and messiness of life, regardless of the circumstance. Lichter ended her speech by charging those in attendance to be knowledgeable about pregnancy crisis resources available near them so they could be ready should someone confide in them regarding an unexpected pregnancy.
“Be ready to be the person they can turn to for a hug. Be ready to be the person telling them that they are strong enough,” Lichter said. “We will keep marching here in Washington until abortion is not only illegal, but unthinkable. And we still have work to do.”
Mancini returned to the stage to welcome up 14 members of Congress and the Senate who stand for pro-life ideals before handing over the stage to U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who was followed by Johnson.
Johnson took a moment to mention some of the new executive orders that President Donald Trump has made since taking office, including pardoning 24 imprisoned pro-life activists and defining life as beginning at conception. He also spoke on Congress’ new Born Alive Survivors Protection Act, which demands care for any child of a failed abortion. Johnson called the bill a, “matter of basic humanity.”
“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,” Johnson said. “… Your value is inherent; it is given to you by God.”
Johnson called the crowd a generation of those who will use their voices to defend others, helping rebuild America into a culture of life. He finished his speech by discussing the circumstances surrounding his birth and his gratitude towards his parents for embracing his life despite the opposition they faced.
“It’s a simple fact … if they had not done that then I wouldn’t 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,” Johnson said.
The speeches ended with a surprise video message from Trump and a speech by Vance.
Trump thanked the crowd for their love and compassion in standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. He issued a commitment to continue standing for pro-life ideals and spoke out against on-demand, unlimited abortion.
“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,” Trump said.
Vance continued the message of support to the pro-life cause in his speech as he delved into the blessing of being a father and modern society’s failure to recognize the importance of families.
“I want to be clear: this administration stands by you,” Vance said. “We stand with you and most importantly, we stand with the most vulnerable.”
Vance thanked those assembled for their service to the pro-life movement.
“One of the things that being a father has taught me and … that being a politician … taught me … is that it is a blessing to know the truth. And the truth is that unborn life is worthy of protection.”
Vance then asked those at the rally to continue standing for life with the joy of knowing the truth rather than remaining frustrated at those who fight against the movement.
The pre-rally concluded with a prayer and encouragement to donate to the March for Life movement and the organizations that support pro-life efforts in their communities across the U.S. With a few final instructions, the march began shortly thereafter.
Organizations such as the White Rose Resistance and The American Society for the Defense of Tradition waved banners and handed out flyers amongst the crowd as supporters who chose not to join the walk also waved and sported their own signs from the sidewalks. Bands played along the route while some of the marchers sang worship songs, hymns or chanted about the sanctity of life.
Liberty students sported red beanies, sweatshirts and other Liberty gear as they proudly lifted signs that said, “Champions for the unborn,” and “Liberty stands for life,” displayed on either side. The marchers endured the frosty January temperatures but did not let the weather conditions dampen their spirit as they concluded their walk in the afternoon at Union Station.
Junior Ellie Hosler said she registered for the march because she wants to eliminate abortion.
“This is super important to me and it’s something that I’ve been really passionate about from a young age,” Hosler said. “I just wanted to come out to show my support and help to end abortion.”
Maria Davis is the Editor-in-Chief of the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X.
Kadence McKinnon is the off-campus news editor of the Liberty Champion.