March Local

Jan. 1, 2022

New and strengthened pro-life marches address abortion legislation at the state level

By Tim Saccoccia

Jan. 1, 2022

Thousands of people, including Knights and their families, participated in the first Pennsylvania March for Life on Sept. 27, 2021, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. (Photo by Jeffrey Bruno)

Over the last several years, state legislatures across the United States have enacted dozens of new pro-life laws — ranging from informed consent provisions to limits on abortion when an unborn child can feel pain or when a heartbeat can be detected. At the same time, other states have enacted ever more permissive abortion laws, removing virtually all limitations on the procedure up to the moment of birth.

In response to these consequential developments, the March for Life Education and Defense Fund launched its state march program in 2018 to bring the peaceful pro-life message of the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., to state capitals throughout the country. The initiative began by partnering with and strengthening a number of state marches already in existence, but its primary pur- pose is to coordinate new marches.

March for Life President Jeanne Mancini speaks at the California March for Life in Sacramento on Aug. 25, 2021. (Photo by Emily Green/Courtesy of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund)

The first successful Virginia March for Life was held April 3, 2019, in Richmond, with more than 7,000 participants. It was followed by a second Virginia March for Life Feb. 13, 2020, shortly before COVID-related lockdowns began. The pandemic delayed further expansion of the state march program until mid-2021, when three highly successful state marches — in California, Pennsylvania and Virginia — took place within six weeks.

The local Knights of Columbus were involved in each of these marches by promoting attendance and providing assistance. Virginia Knights served as marshals at the march in Richmond, and Pennsylvania Knights organized more than 70 buses from parishes throughout the commonwealth.

March for Life President Jeanne Mancini has called the Knights of Columbus “the backbone” of the annual event and expressed her admiration for the Order’s commitment to the pro-life movement at every level. “It’s difficult to imagine the March for Life still happening without the Knights of Columbus,” she said. “At this particular moment in history, we are especially grateful for the support of our local Knights who are helping to make our critically necessary state marches a reality.”

The March for Life’s state march program works with local partners to rally the pro-life grass roots, develop a tailored program, and focus attention on any critical life-related legislation under consideration at the state level. In California, for instance, speakers at the Aug. 25 march in Sacramento highlighted pending legislation that would require all health insurance plans in the state to cover abortion. In her remarks, Mancini urged all participants to contact their legislators in opposition. Within 24 hours, the California General Assembly leadership pulled the bill from consideration.

As the program continues, the March for Life hopes to establish similar marches in more state capitals. If the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that permits states to enact abortion-related laws more freely, these state marches will become even more important opportunities to bear witness on behalf of the unborn.

*****

TIM SACCOCCIA, past state deputy of the District of Columbia, is vice president of public policy for the Knights of Columbus and chairman of the board for the March for Life Education and Defense Fund.

Knights carry a banner to lead the March for Women and for Life in San Luis Potosí, one of 70 cities in Mexico that hosted pro-life marches and rallies on Oct. 3, 2021. (Photo by Gustavo García)

‘Mexico Is Pro-Life’

Knights and others march to demonstrate support of women and the unborn

More than 1 million people marched and rallied on Oct. 3, 2021, in peaceful protest of recent court decisions in Mexico. The March for Women and for Life (Marcha a Favor de la Mujer y de la Vida) took place simultaneously in 70 cities throughout the country, with more than 300,000 participants in Mexico City alone.

In early September, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, the highest court in Mexico, ruled that the criminalization of abortion is unconstitutional and also restricted the right of conscientious objection by medical professionals.

The March for Women and for Life was soon organized in response, receiving endorsement from the Mexican bishops’ conference and strong participation from various pro-life groups and other organizations,including the Knights of Columbus in each of Mexico’s five K of C jurisdictions.

“It was very important for Mexican Catholics, and especially for the Knights of Columbus, to be present,” said Supreme Warden Jorge C. Estrada, state deputy of Mexico South. “We wanted to send a strong, clear message to the court and the congress that Mexico is pro-life.”

He added, “It’s also very important that women hear a message that we are here to support you. You are not alone.”

Chana Gaskins and her three children enjoy some time playing outside.

March Local

‘Mexico Is Pro-Life’

Knights and others march to demonstrate support of women and the unborn

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