Liberty students shine their lights in the darkness of abortion during Virginia March for Life
April 23, 2026 : By James Black - Standing for Freedom Center
About 50 Liberty University students joined hundreds of pro-life advocates in Richmond on Wednesday for the 2026 Virginia March for Life, reminding others to protect and defend our nation’s most vulnerable.
The trip was sponsored by Liberty’s Standing for Freedom Center and comes as Virginia voters are considering a ballot measure that would remove nearly all abortion restrictions and enshrine a fundamental constitutional right to abortion.
Beginning in the Capitol Square, the day included inspirational speeches by many high-profile speakers dedicated to the cause of life, including Liberty Chancellor Jonathan Falwell, who serves as senior pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church. He reminded the audience of the biblical case for life in Ephesians 2:10.
“God does not wait until we were born to see the value in each of us,” Falwell said. “He saw the value in us before we were ever even conceived.”
He concluded his speech by praying for God to guide the steps of Virginia’s legislative and state-level leadership, as well as those advocating for and against the ballot measure.
Following brief remarks by other guests, including Virginia Del. Karen Hamilton; Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs (AAPLOG); and former Planned Parenthood insider Mayra Rodriguez, students began their march, accompanied by hundreds of other demonstrators, on a 1-mile circuit surrounding the Virginia Capitol.
Sophomore Payton Torrence said participating in this year’s march was important to “shine light into the darkness.”
“So much of our generation, Gen Z, is missing because so many babies have been aborted, and that really hurts our hearts,” he said. “This is such a critical issue facing our country. Christians ought to be the light in the darkness, and this is us doing our part in standing up for what’s right, standing up for the truth, and fighting for life.”
He added that those who are on the fence about being engaged culturally should know that the liberties Americans take for granted can easily slip away.
Students who attended the Virginia March for Life had an opportunity to not merely practice what they preach but to reflect Christ to a secular world. The students were an example of what Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell hoped to achieve when he established an “institution of destiny” that would train the next generation of Champions for Christ to bring an unbelieving world back to Christ by shifting the culture toward righteousness.
The Virginia March for Life is one of many events the Standing for Freedom Center offers Liberty students. For more information on upcoming events, including the annual Freedom Uncensored conference on Oct. 23-24, visit Standingforfreedom.com/events/.
