Gov. Youngkin Marks 4th Year at March!
“With every woman. For every child.”
That was one of the rally cries heard as at least 3,500 Virginians filled State Capitol grounds to speak up for the protection of vulnerable mothers and their unborn children during the 7th Annual Virginia March for Life.
That rally cry was especially relevant in light of the General Assembly’s recent vote to move forward with one of the most radical abortion amendment proposals in the country. If passed, it would “force through the process to guarantee abortion for anyone, anywhere, performed by anyone, at any point in a pregnancy—with no safety standards and no restrictions,” warned Victoria Cobb, President of the Family Foundation, at the rally before the march began on April 2.
As participants rallied at the Capitol before marching around Capitol Square, they had a ready-made audience of elected officials: Their state legislators were reconvening that same day to address Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and amendments.
As his amendments were being debated in the General Assembly, Gov. Glenn Youngkin made time to join the Virginia march participants for his fourth year in a row. He was the first governor in the nation to join a state March for Life and has proudly continued that tradition.
"We are working every day to promote a culture of life, and to support healthy moms and babies," said the Governor on his X post featuring several pictures of the March.
Also joining the rally was keynote speaker Lieutenant Governor Winsome-Earle Sears. “We saw the bill [the abortion amendment] going through, we tried to put guardrails around it and they killed every one of the amendments. And one of the amendments was, if a baby is born alive after an abortion, the baby is now a patient, and deserving of healthcare," Lt. Gov. Sears told the crowd.
"And they voted it down! ... we stand for life," she continued. “If life in the womb isn’t sacred, then no lives matter.”
Also speaking was Delegate Delores Oates, who shared a powerful testimony about her decision to choose life when facing an unexpected pregnancy as a teen. One of the most moving stories of the day was shared by Shawnte Mallory, a mother of six. She described how God's love—and the support of others at Mary's Shelter in Fredericksburg—empowered her to give birth to her third child despite facing overwhelming circumstances, including a childhood marked by abuse, abandonment, and homelessness at age 14.
Several clergy also reminded the crowd of the ultimate, divine source of human life and why we must defend it, including Pastor JR Gurley of Frederick Douglass Freedom Alliance of Virginia and Bishops from the Dioceses of Richmond and Arlington (Bishops Barry Knestout and Michael Burbidge).
After the rally, pro-life champions filled Richmond streets, reflecting a richly diverse group of families, children, faith traditions, and concerned citizens of all ages. Students from high schools and colleges lent a joyous energy to the march, including the Liberty University students who led out carrying the banner and the Benedictine College Preparatory band, starting things off with beautiful pageantry.
Family Foundation's local Speak Up! Virginia teams were strongly represented—filling buses from across the Commonwealth and carrying "Speak Up! for Life" banners and signs. Each team led the crowd in chants proclaiming the value of life during the march. (Watch video below!) Thank you to each and every one of you who unwaveringly support our efforts to protect human life—and for being a part of this visual demonstration of God's unconditional love for women and children. With every women and for every child—we will never stop speaking up for life!
