Thousands Rally In Washington For March For Life

On Friday, January 23, 2026, the streets of Washington, D.C., filled with thousands of pro-life advocates for the 53rd annual March for Life, the world’s largest yearly human rights gathering. The event, rooted in nearly five decades of tradition since its founding in 1973 in response to the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, drew participants from across the nation and beyond. The theme for this year’s march, “Life is a Gift,” invited attendees to reflect on the intrinsic worth of every human life and to celebrate the dignity of mothers, babies, and families.

The day began early with a sense of anticipation as pilgrims, students, and families converged on the National Mall. According to EWTN News, the pre-rally concert featured the Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning Christian band Sanctus Real, energizing the crowd with music starting at 11:00 a.m. ET. The official rally kicked off at noon, with a diverse lineup of speakers taking the stage near 8th Street NW, as reported by WTOP and the March for Life Education and Defense Fund.

Vice President J.D. Vance returned as the event’s keynote speaker for the second consecutive year. In his address, Vance spoke to the crowd’s energy and the movement’s progress since the Supreme Court’s 2023 Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade and returned authority to regulate abortion to individual states. “You have an ally in the White House,” Vance declared, referencing President Donald Trump’s administration. He added, “Our vision is simple. We want life to thrive in the United States of America. We want Americans, every American from all walks of life, to have happy, healthy children.” Vance also highlighted his personal connection to the theme, sharing gratitude for his family and the recent announcement of his fourth child with his wife, Usha.

President Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune addressed the crowd through prerecorded video messages, with Trump affirming, “For 53 years, students, families, patriots, and believers have come to Washington from every corner of the country to defend the infinite worth and God-given dignity of every human life.” Trump emphasized his administration’s efforts to protect life, stating, “We have made unprecedented strides to protect innocent life and support the institution of the family like never before.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, sharing his own story as the product of an unplanned teen pregnancy, told marchers, “I am eternally grateful that [my parents] allowed me the chance at life.” He urged the crowd to help usher in what he called “America’s new golden age,” centered on the foundational truth that all people are made by God. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, a longtime pro-life leader, reminded attendees of the ongoing work: “We must today recommit to protecting the most vulnerable.” He praised the more than 2,700 pregnancy resource centers across the country, calling them “an oasis of love, empathy, and compassion.”

The event also featured voices from the grassroots. Sarah Hurm, who shared her personal testimony about reversing a chemical abortion, told the crowd, “I am here today as living proof that life is a gift. I know this [from] protecting and caring for each of my four children.” Hurm’s story underscored the march’s message of hope and the power of small acts of support for mothers and children. “Saving a life can be as simple as answering a phone call, driving a friend to an ultrasound, or helping pick out a car seat,” she said.

Jennie Bradley Lichter, in her first year as president of the March for Life, welcomed attendees and read a message from Pope Leo XIV. The pope sent “warm greetings” and encouraged marchers to build a society that “safeguards the sanctity of human life.” He stressed that the protection of the right to life “constitutes the indispensable foundation of every other human right,” and specifically urged young people to continue advocating for life at all stages. Lichter reminded the movement, “Taking down the Roe regime of abortion-on-demand across the country was incredibly important. But there are still way too many abortions happening in this country. So that’s the No. 1 reason why we’re still marching.”

The rally also included Cissie Graham Lynch, who led a final prayer, saying, “Our heavenly Father, we come today gathered with grateful hearts, knowing life is a gift, a sacred gift, given by you alone.” She prayed for strength and courage for the movement, expressing gratitude for leaders who defend life. The Friends of Club 21 Choir, a chorus of young adults with Down syndrome, moved the crowd with their rendition of the national anthem, embodying the march’s celebration of every life’s value.

Participants in the march represented a wide range of perspectives on life issues, from abortion to euthanasia. Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, voiced concern about states considering legalization of assisted suicide in 2026, warning, “There are many states that the death lobby will be pushing for assisted suicide in 2026.” Thomas Hill, of Virginia for Preborn Justice, used the occasion to inform fellow Virginians about an upcoming referendum that could enshrine a right to abortion in the state’s constitution. “It’s important people know it’s out of the hands of the politicians,” Hill said, emphasizing the referendum’s direct impact.

The logistics of the day were formidable. According to WTOP, D.C. police implemented “emergency no parking” restrictions from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in areas stretching from the Washington Monument to the Supreme Court. Streets crossing the Mall were closed to traffic from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including the 12th Street Tunnel and 9th Street Tunnel. The city also managed separate road closures for the funeral procession of D.C. police officer Terry Bennett, who was fatally struck while assisting a stranded motorist in December.

Despite chilly January weather, the march drew attendees from all walks of life, including students from John Paul the Great University and Franciscan University, as well as delegations from across the United States and international visitors. Many began their day with worship at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley celebrated Mass, calling life a “precious gift from a loving God.” Bishop James D. Conley, in his homily, challenged young people: “Our goal is not only to make abortion illegal. Our goal is to make abortion unthinkable.”

As the marchers wound their way from the National Mall past the White House and U.S. Capitol to the steps of the Supreme Court, the sense of purpose was palpable. Signs reading “Make killing the preborn unthinkable!” and images of Our Lady of Guadalupe lined the route, while participants sang, prayed, and advocated for their cause. For many, the day was not just a protest but a celebration of life and a call to continued action.

With the legal and political landscape shifting in the wake of the Dobbs decision, organizers and participants alike emphasized that the work of the pro-life movement is far from over. As Vice President Vance put it, “Take heart of how far we’ve come but don’t lose sight of why we march. I hope you know that the vice president of the United States will march with you!”

The 53rd March for Life reaffirmed its place as a powerful force in American civic life, drawing together faith, policy, and personal conviction in pursuit of a culture that cherishes every human life.