Rep. Angie Hatton
Kentucky state representative Angie Hatton is a Democrat and part of Democrats for Life. Hatton said her faith informs her pro-life views. She spoke about the need for a bi-partisan effort to overcome abortion. Hatton believes outlawing abortion isn’t the ultimate solution to eliminating abortion. Rather, she believes the pro-life movement needs to address the issues that cause women to seek abortion in the first place. Hatton said we need “pro-babies and pro-moms” legislation. Ultimately, Hatton says she is fighting for a nation where no woman feels her only choice is abortion.
Kristen Waggoner
Kristen Waggoner serves as General Counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). In her brief comments, Waggoner mentioned how ADF has fought for and defended the rights of the pro-life movement for several years now.
Benjamin and Kirsten Watson
Benjamin Watson is a former NFL player turned Christian activist. He and his wife, Kirsten, have seven children and have long been advocates for the pro-life movement. Benjamin said this year’s socially distanced march can serve as a reminder to us that even as we are gathered in our own houses, this is where the work of the pro-life movement starts. It may start in our homes, but it moves out to our churches and communities. The foundation of the pro-life movement is the imago dei, Benjamin Watson said, referring to the biblical teaching held by many Americans that we are made in the image and likeness of God. The Watsons reminded those watching that regardless of things like Supreme Court rulings and legislation, the truth of imago dei confirms the work of the pro-life movement is not in vain.
Rep. Kat Cammack
U.S. House Representative Kat Cammack of Florida is the youngest Republican representative in the House this year. Cammack has a personal connection with the right to life. The congresswoman shared how her mother chose life despite being told it was in her best interest to abort when she was pregnant with Cammack. Cammack emphasized that life is sacred and “the rights of unborn children are sacred.”
Abby Johnson
Abby Johnson is the founder of the nonprofit organization And Then There Were None, which seeks to help workers in the abortion industry leave their jobs. Johnson, who previously worked for Planned Parenthood, is the subject of the 2019 film “Unplanned.” Johnson said she was told by her boss, upon leaving her job with Planned Parenthood, that she had picked a fight with one of the most powerful organizations on the planet. Johnson said this statement simply isn’t true and posited that the most powerful organization on the planet is the church.
Mike Gabbard
Hawaii state senator Mike Gabbard is a democrat and pro-life advocate. During his speech, Gabbard explained the meaning of the Hawaiian word aloha. While some have come to understand it to mean simply hello and goodbye, Gabbard explained the broader context of the word and shared how it’s connotation is essentially about respecting life.
J.D. Greear
Southern Baptist Convention president and lead pastor of Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, J.D. Greear shared a story about preaching on the sanctity of life. Greear said that a number of years ago, on a Sanctity of Life Sunday his church hosted, a young college student was in attendance who was facing a decision to end her unplanned pregnancy in abortion. After hearing the message that Sunday, the young woman decided to go through with the pregnancy and give the child up for adoption. A couple from Greear’s church ended up adopting the child and the story came full circle when Greear said he got to hold the child in his arms, thereby witnessing the vital effect preaching God’s word can have. Greear emphasized that Scripture admonishes us to speak up for the voiceless and that “abortion is the greatest moral tragedy.” Greear also addressed anyone tuning in who has had an abortion and assured them that Jesus doesn’t judge them and neither do the organizers of the event.
Tim Tebow
Former NFL player and philanthropist Tim Tebow shared his personal touchpoint with the pro-life philosophy. Tim shared about how his parents were missionaries to the Philippines when Tim came along. Tim’s father and mother already had four children when Tim’s father felt God told him to have another child. The family started praying for a baby, and to their delight Tim’s mom became pregnant. The pregnancy, however, was very difficult and the doctors advised abortion. When Tim’s mother chose life and delivered Tim, her doctor said it was a miracle since the placenta wasn’t even attached. Tim said he was “so grateful my mom gave me the chance of life.” He then shifted focus to say that this movement is about being pro-life in every area. “We’ve got to do a better job of always being pro-life all the time no matter what,” Tim concluded.
Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of Franklin Graham and granddaughter of Billy Graham, closed the speaking time in prayer.
Following the speakers, the time march commenced. Instead of the masses of people marching through the streets of Capitol Hill, a much smaller number of pro-life leaders marched the usual route to the Capitol Building. Mancini spoke to a reporter while marching and carrying a rose. Mancini explained that before 9/11, marchers used to deliver roses to members of Congress. The roses represent life, Mancini explained, and red roses particularly have been used to represent the blood that has been shed through abortion.
Given the violent events that transpired earlier this month at the Capitol, the increased security measures in the area, and the smaller size of the crowd, Mancini said the atmosphere of this year’s march felt much more somber than years previous.
