Life

Young People on Pro-Life Movement’s Future

I spent last weekend chatting with some of the young people at the 52nd annual National March for Life.

The energy on the National Mall spoke to marchers’ excitement about the Trump administration’s early support for life, including releasing 23 peaceful pro-life protesters from prison and enforcing a ban on tax dollars funding elective abortions.

With speakers like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Vice President J.D. Vance set to address the march, the people I interviewed also expressed excitement about the pro-life movement’s prospects in 2025.

They also had some ideas.

Here’s what I found out.

Many wanted to see more pro-life legislation on the books. Abby was one of several who wanted state officials to pass more heartbeat laws. Others told me they’d like to see a federal ban on abortion — though they’re unsure if it can be accomplished in a year.

“I’d like to see a federal abortion ban,” Jefferson told me. “I’m not sure how likely that is, but it’s really a culture shift we can work on.”

Margaret thinks the government needs to stop funding Planned Parenthood.

It’s weird that we fund it on a government level. It’s just weird. Why would you do that? Why would you not fund places that help women instead of convincing them to get a surgery that could potentially ruin their chances of having children years later?

Margaret is asking the right questions. To read more about how weird Planned Parenthood really is, click here.

But most of the people I spoke to didn’t reference legislation at all. Instead, they hope the pro-life movement will focus on abortion prevention through education and supporting healthy families and communities.

“I think focusing on the family and community aspect is important,” Nathan explained. “We should show how building stronger communities [that support people in crisis pregnancies] prevent abortions rather than putting a Band-Aid on the problem.”

A big part of preventing abortions, they said, is making sure women with unexpected pregnancies know they can get support.

“We really need to let [women with unexpected pregnancies] know they are loved, and that, if they don’t have people that will support them, there are people that are willing to support absolute strangers because this matters so much,” Caleb said.

Matteo told me he knows pregnancy resource centers are out there, but that many of the women who need them don’t.

“Often, people will say they don’t have the resources to provide for a baby,” he expounded, “but there’s definitely people [and organizations] that can help. We need to get the word out.”

Maryella thinks the pro-life movement could benefit from teaching sex-ed in schools.

High schoolers have these horrible sex-ed classes. If the pro-life movement could go into public schools and teach more about adoption and foster care to high school students, I think it would substantially change their vote for the better.

Several expressed how important it would be for secular leaders — not just church leaders — to teach about the dangers of promiscuity. They believe the pro-life movement should work toward promoting abstinence and sexual purity as a healthy way of life.

Jefferson has lots of hopes for the pro-life movement next year. He’s convinced social media is one of the best ways young people can help achieve those goals.

“Gen. Z is growing up in a tech age,” he enthused. “We know how to use all the technology, and it amplifies our voice more than older generations. We need to utilize that, use our voice on social media, and be loud.”

Young people’s next best secret weapon, Jefferson told me, is our persistence.

We’re full of energy. We can do things that the older people can’t. We can stay up long hours, we can stand outside the abortion clinics, we can march for long hours. We have to use what God’s given us and steward it well.

Full of energy and full of ideas, the pro-life youth are a force to be reckoned. 2025 won’t know what hit it.

Young Person Talks to Young People at National March for Life

When you attend the National March for Life, the first thing you’ll notice is the cold.

You might not feel it all at once. You might, like this overconfident reporter, even take your gloves off to better grip your pen.

You’ll question your decision when the stoic secret service agent to your left casually lifts his ski mask over his bright red nose. You’ll know you made a mistake when your favorite ballpoint pen slips through your numb fingers and into a mud puddle.

The second thing you’ll notice is the event’s size. In the shadow of the Washington Monument last Friday, I watched thousands of people wind their way through metal detectors to participate in a pre-march rally.

At various points, I found myself in close proximity to Catholic and Russian Orthodox clergymen with puffer coats under their robes, babies wrapped into blanket burritos, gaggles of teenagers wielding handmade signs and banners, and, once, in front of a complimentary dessert table, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The third thing you’ll notice is how many of these people are young. For every older priest and Governor, I seemed to encounter five more people under thirty years old.

Being under thirty myself, I decided to ask some of my people why they were spending Friday at the National March for Life.

I approached Emma Smith (16) after seeing her sign, a striking red, black and white creation featuring a growing, pre-born baby in the center.

“I wanted my sign to pack a punch,” she told me. “I wanted people to understand that these are babies — real humans.”

Emma attended the National March with her Christian high school. She says the group traveled all the way from North Carolina speak up against abortion.

“We’re here to celebrate life,” Emma explained. “We just want people to know that God loves babies.”

God’s love for preborn children was a common, deeply-held conviction among those I interviewed.

“I believe abortion is very bad because babies are created in the image of God,” Adventures in Odyssey superfan Isaiah (12) told me, holding up two of his many signs.

I asked Isaiah’s friend, Bets (10), why she thought people her age should support the pro-life movement.

“Because we are close to the age of the people we are wanting to live,” she explained, showing me the sign hanging around her neck.

I met college friends Sophia (21) and Katherine (21) just inside the rally grounds. Katherine was excited to join the march for the first time.

“I just think it’s amazing,” she told me, smiling. “The amount of people that come out here to support the cause is pretty inspiring.”

Sophia said she grew to love children after growing up an only child. She and Katherine skipped classes to show government and church leaders that young people care about the pro-life cause.

I think its important for church and U.S. leadership to see what young people want. So hopefully we’ll see a lot of students taking the day off school to be here — because this is important to us.

Siblings Margaret (15) and Jefferson (17) are exactly the people Sophia hoped would show up and show out.

“We’re coming from Rockville, Maryland. We go to Rockville High School and we’re missing it,” Jefferson told me, laughing. “Sorry Rockville High School!”

It was an easy decision for the 17-year-old, who says the Holy Spirit convicted him to support preborn babies at a young age.

“[I’m marching] to be a voice for the unborn. I find it is very much motivated by the Holy Spirit and the convictions I’ve been given.”

He continued:

The phrase that stands out to me is being a voice for the voiceless. Right now, [preborn babies’] voices aren’t being heard. We have to give them that voice as people who are up here walking around.

For Margaret, sacrificing a day of school hadn’t been so easy.

“I’ve [always] been against abortion and I want babies to live, but, before [last night], I [hesitated] because I had a few assignments.”

On Thursday night, she told me, something changed her mind.

“I don’t know what it was, but I just felt really motivated. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll skip school to come.’”

Amanda (22) attended the march with her parish. She told me she marched to honor babies like her brother.

I’m here because my family has been greatly impacted by abortion. My brother is adopted, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I’m just here to let people know that it is good they exist.

Amanda’s friend Maryella (20) hoped youth attendance at the march would convince other young people to openly support life.

“I feel like a lot of people think that young people are very for abortion because it’s ‘new and modern,’ but I think a lot of youth do disagree with abortion and [know] that it’s really harmful to use it as a tool for their convenience.”

She continued:

I think when youth are out here it shows other young people that it’s okay to be against the abortion agenda and that being pro-life isn’t too traditional or too in the past.

Like Maryella, Kamila (16), Abby (18) and Olivia (17) hoped to represent their generation well.

“It’s going to impact us a little later in life, but [being pro-life] is something we’re already thinking about,” Kamila explained. “It’s important to represent our age group.”

“I think it’s important to stand up for people who can’t speak for themselves,” Abby added, “because if we don’t do it, who will?”

The trio felt emboldened by the support of President Trump and Vice President Vance.

“I think it’s awesome, because we finally have pro-life advocates in our government system to speak up for the unborn and make laws that can outlaw [abortion].”

“I think it’s a beautiful thing to be in Washington D.C. so soon after the inauguration and to represent something so beautiful,” Olivia reflected.

Caleb (24), Adam (19) and Nathan (20) also expressed cautious optimism about the new administration.

“Vance and Trump’s record on abortion hasn’t been my favorite,” Adam admitted, “but I think it’s very good that we have the support of some of the most powerful people in government.

“I think even having their ear turned to the pro-life movement is a good first step.”

The young men are members of the Knights of Columbus — one of the National March for Life’s biggest sponsors. They intend to help the pro-life movement shape a culture that values life.

“The culture that we foster now is the culture that we’re going to foster our kids into,” Nathan told me.

“It’s important for us to interact with as many people as possible [and start] building strong communities and families.”

Matteo (19), Diego (19), Nazareth (18), Adolfo (18), Christian (19), Collin (18), and Collin (19) bussed to the march with the University of Notre Dame’s Right to Life Group.

“There’s millions who get killed every year from abortion, and we’re here to speak up against that—because they can’t speak for themselves,” Matteo told me. They hope this year’s march will encourage U.S. leaders to enact progressive change on abortion.

Young people weren’t just part of the marchers. 22-year-old Hannah Lape took the stage at the pre-march rally to speak on behalf of Wheaton College.

“Wheaton was invited to lead the march last August,” Lape told me, “and we knew that speaking was part of that invite. I knew I was going to be taking the job as [Wheaton’s Voice for Life] president, so everyone kind of just agreed that I would [speak].”

“I was excited, too!” she added.

Lape hopes young people will lead the pro-life movement in the era of social media.

I think so much social media representation of our generation is so negative. And there are a lot of pro-life young people my age in college, but whether it’s algorithms or echo chambers or what have you, people don’t see them.
I think it’s really important for our generation to show that young people are pro-life and we want pro-life policies.

Part and parcel of that, said Lape, is combatting pro-abortion lies online.

We have to tell people the truth first and foremost. There’s a lot of disinformation out there about abortion. The left [engages] in intentional fearmongering. They say, “If we don’t have this law, or if we have this law, than you will lose all of your rights and women will die.” That’s absolutely not true. They conflate miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy care to abortion care.

Better than any other metric, the passion and persistence of the young people at this year’s March for Life illustrates the health and vitality of the American pro-life movement.

Vive la Résistance!

Trump Signs Executive Order Limiting Taxpayer Funds for Abortion

Shortly after addressing last Friday’s March for Life via video, President Donald J. Trump signed  an executive order enforcing the Hyde Amendment and a presidential memorandum reinstating the Mexico City Policy, both of which limit taxpayer funding for abortion.

The Hyde Amendment was passed in 1976, forbidding any federal funding for abortion. It was later amended to include exceptions to save the life of the mother and to allow for cases of incest and rape.

The Mexico City policy prohibits funds from federal departments going to organizations or programs that perform or promote abortions. The policy was first enacted by in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.

In his video address last Friday, the President thanked marchers “for turning out once again to show your extraordinary love and compassion for the unborn.”

He added, “To all of the very special people marching today in this bitter cold, I know your hearts are warm and your spirits are strong because your mission is just very, very pure: to forge a society that welcomes and protects every child as a beautiful gift from the hand of our Creator.”

The executive order Enforcing the Hyde Amendment states, “For nearly five decades, the Congress has annually enacted the Hyde Amendment and similar laws that prevent Federal funding of elective abortion, reflecting a longstanding consensus that American taxpayers should not be forced to pay for that practice.”

It explains that the previous administration “disregarded this established, commonsense policy by embedding forced taxpayer funding of elective abortions in a wide variety of Federal programs.” The order revoked Biden administration executive orders that violated the Hyde Amendment.

Then, the executive order says, “It is the policy of the United States, consistent with the Hyde Amendment, to end the forced use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion.”

The executive memorandum reinstating the Mexico City policy states:

I direct the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent allowable by law, to implement a plan to extend the requirements of the reinstated Memorandum to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies.

I further direct the Secretary of State to take all necessary actions, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not fund organizations or programs that support or participate in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.

A White House fact sheet about the executive order and the memorandum explained the significance of these two policies, saying, “Federal overreach and taxpayer dollars will no longer force violations of faith and conscience or impede the ability of states to determine life policies through a vote of the people.”

Pro-life groups praised the president’s actions. Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Erin Hawley said in a press release:

Every innocent life deserves to be protected. Ensuring that taxpayer dollars don’t pay for abortions has saved lives, and it’s a policy that continues to receive bipartisan support from a majority of Americans. Government-compelled participation in abortion has no place in our country. American taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund abortions or to export and promote them abroad.

Religious freedom legal advocacy group Liberty Counsel also applauded the actions. Founder and Chairman Matt Staver stated, “Through these pro-life executive actions, President Trump is protecting the most vulnerable and returning the federal government to the side of pro-life.”

Every child is made in God’s image and precious. The Daily Citizen is grateful that federal funds will no longer be used to pay for abortions at home or abroad.

Related articles and resources:

House Passes Born-Alive Bill to Protect Babies Who Survive Abortions  

New Poll: 67% of Americans Support Limits on Abortion

Thank you, Jeanne Mancini

Trump, Vance, Other Republican Leaders All Speak at March for Life

VP Vance Addresses March for Life: ‘Every Child is a Gift From God’ WATCH: Teens Sing Hymn to Babies Lost From Abortion at Illinois State Capitol

Image from Shutterstock.

Thank you, Jeanne Mancini

“You just watch – the sun will come out, and just in time.”

Those were the words of outgoing March for Life president Jeanne F. Mancini as we parted ways on a cool and drizzly Saturday May morning back in 2019.

We were together for Focus on the Family’s “Live From New York” rally in New York City’s Time Square. In what would become the state’s largest pro-life rally ever, the image and sound of Abby Johnson’s preborn baby Fulton would soon be seen and reverberate from massive digital screens in the middle of Manhattan.

The outdoor event was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, but the weather was looking dreary and ominous that early morning. Jeanne had come to the Fox News building to participate in a joint interview on Fox & Friends with Focus president Jim Daly. Walking between the raindrops, we were lamenting whether the wetness would put a damper on the festivities.

As president since 2012 of the world’s largest human rights demonstration every January in Washington, D.C., Jeanne was accustomed to braving the elements – snow, ice, cold, wind – nothing ever stops or stalls the annual March for Life.

Maybe that’s why Jeanne was so optimistic, but maybe she wasn’t even referring to the physical sun in the sky.

A pro-life advocate for decades, Friday’s celebration is Jeanne’s final March as president.  Jennie Bradley Lichter will be taking her role – but there’s no way she can take her place.

Jeanne Mancini arrived at the March for Life well credentialed – she earned a degree in psychology from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in the theology of marriage and family from the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family.

But what first lit a fire under her to get involved, to try and right what many consider to be the greatest wrong of our time?

“Two women in my life had abortions, and they profoundly regretted those abortions, and they suffered the wounds of it,” Mancini said. “There’s always hope and healing. And so anyone who has been involved in that, if they have sadness around that or grief, it’s important to know there are so many ways to reach hope and healing.”

Prior to assuming responsibilities with the March, Mancini served with our friends at the Family Research Council (FRC) on a variety of efforts to champion the dignity of every life. She’s also served inside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of the Secretary.

Focus on the Family has never had a better friend for life. Gracious, humble, indefatigable, Jeanne has paid no attention to titles or territory. Over the years she’s partnered with the ministry on various events, appeared on broadcasts, and regularly turned down honorariums, requesting that any personal remuneration be funneled back into the fight for life.

Jeanne Mancini has also been fearless, taking on some of the most ferocious pro-abortion zealots and propogandists. She’s testified before Congress to advocate for pro-life legislation and policies, conferred with heads of state, and waded into the many challenges of the now state-by-state battle to protect innocent life.

Jeanne and her husband David are not just pontificating, but also living the principles they preach.

In one of her final media interviews as president of the March, Jeanne shared:

“What I would say to someone who doesn’t see eye to eye, first of all–hopefully just have compassion and mercy and listen to them, and I pray that they would do the same with me, to hear me out. Mostly, I would do whatever I could in my power to help convince them that abortion doesn’t solve a problem, it just actually creates others.”

Whatever happened on that rainy New York City Saturday?

As if on cue from a Hollywood director, the rain stopped, and the clouds parted only minutes before “Alive from New York” was scheduled to begin back in 2019. And sure enough, the sun warmed Times Square, just as Jeanne had predicted it would. The show went on.

Jeanne Mancini’s steady hand of leadership has helped shepherd the pro-life movement through all kinds of physical and metaphorical weather. But she’s been successful because she’s been guided by the other Son – her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We’re indebted to her – and she will be missed.

Thank you and God be with you, Jeanne Mancini.

Image credit: Jeanne Mancini.

New Poll: 67% of Americans Support Limits on Abortion

Leading up to the National March for Life, Marist collaborated with the Knights of Columbus to releasea new poll, showing that the majority of Americans support limits on abortion.

That’s a narrative abortion activists don’t want you know, but it’s true.

When asked about support for limits on abortion in the last trimester of pregnancy, the time at which a baby can live outside the womb, support for abortion limits jumps to 72%.

Marist also found that most Americans, 57%, do not support taxpayer funded abortions.

When asked specifically about taxpayer funds going to abortions outside of the United States opposition grows to 73%.

Interestingly, for the second year in a row, the survey has also demonstrated that pregnancy resource centers are widely popular with Americans. 

The survey says 83% of Americans support these help organizations for women.

This is good news because pregnancy resources centers are growing in number and scope in the United States.

As reported by the Daily Citizen, there are about 2,750 pregnancy resource centers in the Unites States.

Collectively these centers provide nearly $368 million in free medical services, $83 million in education and support services and $78 million in material goods annually.

In the latest data available, pregnancy resource centers conducted more than 16 million sessions with clients.

Focus on the Family’s Option Ultrasound works hard to save babies and their mothers from the tragedy of abortion.

Option Ultrasound equips pregnancy resource centers across the nation with ultrasound machines to give mothers considering abortion the opportunity to see their child in the womb.

Since the program’s inception 21 years ago, 500,000 babies and mothers have been saved from the tragedy of abortion.

If you are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and want to learn more about your options, you can visit My Choice Network here.

When you need someone to talk to about your baby, or whatever else you’re going through, we’re here. Please reach out. 1-800-A-FAMILY.

Just $60 will save a life through Option Ultrasound. Will you partner with us to save a life from abortion here?

Image from Shutterstock.