Trump – who took credit for that decision after appointing three conservative judges – tried to downplay the issue during the campaign, as polls show more than 60 percent of Americans support abortion access.
At Nationwide Mall, however, the vocal anti-abortion or “pro-life” movement was out in force, and organizers estimated that up to 150,000 people would march. Dozens of large groups from churches, universities and activist groups from across the country attended, wearing colorful hats and carrying signs.
Molly Dardis, of Our Lady of the Rosary in Greenville, South Carolina, at the “March for Life” in Washington.Credit: Michael Koziol
Among them were Molly Dardis and Laurie Traglia of Our Woman of the Rosary, a Catholic school in Greenville, South Carolina, who credited Trump with galvanizing the pro-life movement but said there was more to do. South Carolina has a so-called “heartbeat law” that effectively allows abortions up to six weeks after conception.
“It should be banned. There should be no abortions,” Traglia said. “We believe that life begins at the moment of conception,” Dardis added.
However, they did not agree with criminal sanctions for women who terminated their pregnancies. “I don’t think women should be punished. What we need to offer women is support, services, resources and love,” Dardis said.
Cole Buckley, 19, of Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, was among the thousands of pro-life students who attended the rally, although he acknowledged being a minority on campus. “Our club has about 20 people and our school has about 5,000,” he said.
Thomas Ryan Rousseau, center, and members of a group calling itself the Patriot Front near the “March for Life” rally.Credit: AP
Members of a neo-fascist and white supremacist group called Patriot Entrance also appeared near the rally. They stood next to the Washington Monument dressed in uniforms, masks and sunglasses, carrying American flags and a banner that read: “Strong Families Make Strong Nations.”
with AP
