President supports thousands at March for Life

Washington D.C., Jan 22, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered in Washington for the March for Life yesterday and demanded that Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that paved the way for 45 million abortions, be overturned with pro-life legislation.

Pro-life advocates were upbeat at the prospects since social trends indicate that the pro-life movement is gaining ground.

Advocates point to polls that show a majority of Americans, including women and young people, are increasingly pro-life. Pro-life advocates control both the White House and Congress. Pro-life legislation passed by Congress and signed by a president has become law for the first time. And, most importantly, abortions are on the decline nationwide.

The marchers’ spirits were buoyed by a telephone call from President George W. Bush, who was in Roswell, New Mexico. He thanked the demonstrators for “devotion to such a noble cause” and urged them to continue their work.

“You believe, as I do, that every person, however frail or vulnerable, is a blessing,” he told the crowd.  “And in the Declaration of Independence, our founders stated this self-evident truth: The right to life does not come from government, it comes from the Creator of life.”

The president outlined the pro-life legislation created during his term, highlighting the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, the ban on partial-birth abortions, and policies that cut all funding programs that promote abortion overseas. 

He also voiced his support for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a complete ban on human cloning, and more federal funding for abstinence education programs.