Pro-Lifers Rally Nationwide to Renew Commitment to Protect Unborn Life.

Buoyed by pro-life successes in elections and legislatures, right to lifers renewed their commitment to life by gathering around the country to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Although cold winter weather hit much of the country around January 22, pro-lifers were still able to come out in impressive numbers to call for an end to abortion. Chilly temperatures could not deter thousands from marching in Little Rock, Arkansas, January 23. Gov. Mike Huckabee attended, as he has done for years. "I'm not a pro-life person because of politics; I got into politics because I'm very pro-life," he said. "I believe it's an important issue we have to take a stand on."

A huge crowd of more than 2,500 marched in St. Paul, Minnesota, January 22 through newly fallen snow. At the state capitol, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced support for a bill that would provide state grants for abortion alternatives. "We want to give help and assistance to these women to choose a better alternative than abortion," Pawlenty said. He declared January 22 the state's first-ever Sanctity of Human Life Day.

Legislation was also highlighted at a rally in Helena, Montana, January 17. Pro-lifers are working to pass laws protecting unborn victims of violence, requiring death certificates to be issued for aborted babies, and informing women about fetal pain.

Over 2,000 Georgia pro-lifers came Together for Life in Atlanta January 21, hearing from state legislators who pledged to introduce bills to protect unborn babies. "As far as I'm concerned, in 2005 we will have a vote on the Women's Right to Know Bill," new House Speaker Glenn Richardson told the crowd. He was joined by 28 other pro-life state legislators.

Kansas right to lifers are also committed to passing pro-life legislation, including a ban on human cloning and an unborn victims of violence act. They gathered in Topeka January 21 to show their support for life.

An enthusiastic crowd of over 250 rallied in Nashville, Tennessee, January 22 as snow fell. Speakers detailed proposed legislation, such as an abortion waiting period, parental notification, informed consent, and "Choose Life" license plate. "We are on the right side of this issue, we are on the winning side," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. "We are working to demonstrate that there is broad support in this state for a right to life."