In a video message, Speaker of the House John Boehner roused the crowd when he called abortion "a defining human rights issue of our time. He said, "Because human life is not an economic or political commodity ... no government on Earth has the right to treat it as such."
He also said the GOP would stop abortion funding...
and from Iowa
Lauren Benzing, 18, of Solon, Iowa, who came with 350 others on 13 buses from the Catholic Diocese of Dubuque, was too young to vote last November but, she vows, "as soon as I can (vote), I will support pro-life. But with the march, I feel like I can still make a difference."
About 235 Iowans traveled for more than two days on four buses to attend the march, said Maggie DeWitte, 38, executive director of Iowans for LIFE.
"I think so often people working in the life movement feel like they're all alone out there. This gives them a sense of energy, enthusiasm, unity and resolve," DeWitte said.
Deb Ryan-Purcell, 50, of Des Moines, was invited to the event by her daughter, a senior at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines.
Micah Purcell, 17, said she wanted her mother to witness all of like-minded people who feel passionately about protecting the lives of unborn children.
"When our parents are gone, we'll be in charge of this country," said Purcell, who is attending her third march. "We're sending a message that this is not OK with us."
And, we have a really excellent Pope.....
Pope Benedict XVI sent them his encouragement by way of his personal Twitter account, @pontifex: "I join all those marching for life from afar, and pray that political leaders will protect the unborn and promote a culture of life," he posted early Friday morning.