Approximately 1.21 million abortions take place in the United States every year and 40 percent of unintended pregnancies end in abortion.

The March for Life is a pro-life rally that takes place every year in Washington, D.C. The event protests abortion on, or around the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion in the Roe v. Wade case. The march has drawn crowds of over 700,000 people to the nation’s capital each January.

Young and old alike gather at the National Mall and walk down Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court. But why do people from around the world come to participate in this event?

Mrs. Michelle Gallagher, a science teacher at Wahlert, learned about partial birth abortion in seventh grade and recalls being horrified at the thought of it. “It is hard for me to go about my day knowing that 3,000 babies died today, and I did nothing to stop it,” Gallagher said.

Mr. Rollins’ beliefs became stronger after the birth of his son. Rollins, a U.S. history teacher at Wahlert, said, “How can it be okay to kill a child in the womb, but minutes after it is born it would be considered murder?” These were the questions that entered his mind after hearing the results of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case in 1973. “I started to care even more about this issue after the stillbirth of my son who was born 18 weeks inuterian. When I held him in my hands, I couldn’t understand how anyone could kill him.”

Both teachers and students believe the March for Life is incredibly important and would encourage others to go. Emma Mocker, ’17, is going so she can reach out to more people.

“The March for Life educates people, and education is key. The more people know, the easier it is for them to make informed decisions. When a decision is being made that is a matter of life and death, it is pretty important for people to understand exactly what the repercussions are,” Mrs. Gallagher explained.

“When I went on the March for Life I had a great time with my family, and I have never felt more American in my life. Witnessing the nation’s capital with thousands of people was incredible,” Mr. Rollins explained.

Wahlert students, Sarah and Emma Mockler, ‘16, as well as Ellie Muir, Allie Foy, and Murfee Cook, ‘17, are all going on the March for Life this year as members of the Respect Life Club.

If you are unable to attend the March for Life in Washington D.C., there is one taking place on Jan.18 in Chicago. As Mrs. Gallagher notes, “You can do something to make a difference for babies in danger of abortion and for their mothers and fathers as well.”