Jan. 19 — The marchers from Rockland County reach the end of the March for Life 2018 — the U.S. Supreme Court where the Roe v. Wade decision made abortion legal across America on Jan. 22, 1973. Thousands of marchers have been coming to Washington, D.C, for the March, held on or around that date for the past 45 years, to stand up for life.

We are filled with pride and gratitude for this year’s group from Rockland and the students from Albertus Magnus who have kept the faith and traveled to Washington to represent us all. We honor their commitment, their passion, and their unshakeable faith that one day the legal protection of the unborn will be restored.

(update 1/29/18) Two Rocklanders, Joanne Clemente and Carolyn Pappalardo, speak at length about the March in this Journal News article here.

The weather this year was glorious. And the speakers at the Rally for Life included Pres. Donald Trump, the first sitting president to deliver an address live to the March for Life. “Under my administration, we will always defend the very first right in the Declaration of Independence, and that is the right to life,” Trump said, and he announced he had proposed new federal rules — and an enforcement office — to protect the conscience rights of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals who object to performing abortions. Trump’s full speech is here.

Other speakers included V.P. Mike Pence, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Sister of Life Bethany Madonna.

On this day the House of Representatives passed the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect babies who are born alive during failed abortions. The vote, went along party lines, but six prolife Democrats voted for this bill resulting in a 241-183 victory for the unborn. Unfortunately, Rockland’s representative in the House, Nita Lowey, voted against this humane and eminently sensible legislation.

More photos of Rocklanders at the March for Life appear below, and we hope to post more over the next few days. Please check back.  The photos are by Francis Wong. Please click on a photo to enlarge it, and then scroll through the slide show.