lifesitenews--2020-01-24--I am the face of ‘choice’: Women who survived being aborted give riveting testimony at March for Lif

I am the face of ‘choice’: Women who survived being aborted give riveting testimony at March for Life

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Two women who survived attempts on their lives as unborn babies testified at the March for Life to the dignity of their lives and the love they have experienced since they were aborted .
Claire Culwell , a surviving twin , and Melissa Ohden , the founder of the Abortion Survivors Network , both addressed massive crowds on the National Mall before today ’ s march to the Supreme Court .
Culwell , who discovered only in 2009 that she had survived an abortion , told the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother .
“ I am the surviving twin of a botched D & E dismemberment abortion , ” Culwell said .
“ I found this out ten years ago when I met my birth mother after thanking [ her ] for giving me my life , ” she continued .
“ She broke down into tears at this moment .
She described her abortion that successfully aborted my twin .
The pain in her eyes was something that I will never forget.
” Culwell said discovering she was an abortion survivor explained many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications because of my prematurity and being a twin -- a surviving twin .
My curiosity and longing for another sibling .
My deep appreciation for being wanted by adoptive parents who stand here with me today.
” The young mother said that she had never thought that she would be affected by abortion until that moment .
“ And yet here I was looking my birth mother in the eye , finding out that I ― not only was I affected by abortion , but I had survived one .
My life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the identical twin of a baby who didn ’ t survive the abortion , Culwell represents her , too .
“ I realized that there was a face , a name , a story with the unborn child and with the woman contemplating an abortion like my birth mother , ” she said .
“ You see , when you look at my face , you see my twin .
And when you look at my life , you see the almighty hand of God.
” Culwell was joined on stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children .
“ Forty-seven years ago the Supreme Court handed down the decision meant to be my death sentence , ” Ohden said .
“ Unfortunately in 1977 , my biological mother had a saline infusion abortion forced upon her , ” she continued .
“ Over a five day period , I soaked in a toxic salt solution being poisoned and scalded to death .
But 42 years ago , God said , ‘ No .
Not this child ’ , and I was accidentally born alive.
” The upbeat Ohden told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had said “ Yes ” to her survival and “ Yes ” to the question of loving her .
“ I am so blessed to have been loved into life by my adoptive parents , to be a wife and a mother to two amazing daughters , one of whom is here today , ” she said .
Ohden spoke of later being accepted by her birth mother and her birth mother ’ s family .
She has forgiven them , and they are reconciled and love one another .
“ Abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ohden said , contradicting the message of the abortion industry and its allies .
“ It certainly didn ’ t empower me .
It didn ’ t empower my own daughters who never would have lived if that abortion [ had ] succeeded in ending my life.
” The abortion survivor said that it is life that empowers .
“ Life is what has empowered each and every one of us , ” she proclaimed .
“ Life is what has allowed healing .
Life is what brought forth love and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain of our family to be transformed into purpose .
Life empowers us all.
” Culwell and Ohden both thanked the crowds for marching .
Both emphasized that they were uniquely able to speak for aborted babies , having been aborted themselves .
“ I am more than a ‘ choice , ’ ” Ohden said .
“ I am more than someone else ’ s ‘ reproductive right ’ .
I am a human being , and so are the other survivors of abortion.
” Ohden said that the Abortion Survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have survived abortion .
Stating that the world needed face “ who abortion has affected ” , she introduced a short film produced by “ Faces of Choice.
” In the video , Ohden and other survivors of abortion ask such questions as “ Can you look me in the eye and tell me that I shouldn ’ t exist ?
” “ That I should be dead ?
” and “ That I deserved to die that day ?
” The survivors declare also , “ I am the face of choice @ @

'Over a five day period, I soaked in a toxic salt solution being poisoned and scalded to death. But 42 years ago, God said, ‘No. Not this child’, and I was accidentally born alive.'
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Two women who survived attempts on their lives as unborn babies testified at the March for Life to the dignity of their lives and the love they have experienced since they were aborted.
Claire Culwell, a surviving twin, and Melissa Ohden, the founder of the Abortion Survivors Network, both addressed massive crowds on the National Mall before today’s march to the Supreme Court.
Culwell, who discovered only in 2009 that she had survived an abortion, told the story of her first meeting with her birth mother.
“I am the surviving twin of a botched D & E dismemberment abortion,” Culwell said.
“I found this out ten years ago when I met my birth mother after thanking [her] for giving me my life,” she continued.
“She broke down into tears at this moment. She described her abortion that successfully aborted my twin. The pain in her eyes was something that I will never forget.”
Culwell said discovering she was an abortion survivor explained many things to her: “My physical complications because of my prematurity and being a twin–a surviving twin. My curiosity and longing for another sibling. My deep appreciation for being wanted by adoptive parents who stand here with me today.”
The young mother said that she had never thought that she would be affected by abortion until that moment. “And yet here I was looking my birth mother in the eye, finding out that I ― not only was I affected by abortion, but I had survived one. My life was a miracle,” she said.
As the identical twin of a baby who didn’t survive the abortion, Culwell represents her, too.
“I realized that there was a face, a name, a story with the unborn child and with the woman contemplating an abortion like my birth mother,” she said.
“You see, when you look at my face, you see my twin. And when you look at my life, you see the almighty hand of God.”
Culwell was joined on stage by her adoptive parents and her own children.
Melissa Ohden, who survived abortion 42 years ago, spoke next.
“Forty-seven years ago the Supreme Court handed down the decision meant to be my death sentence,” Ohden said.
“Unfortunately in 1977, my biological mother had a saline infusion abortion forced upon her,” she continued.
“Over a five day period, I soaked in a toxic salt solution being poisoned and scalded to death. But 42 years ago, God said, ‘No. Not this child’, and I was accidentally born alive.”
The upbeat Ohden told her audience of all the people afterward who had said “Yes” to her survival and “Yes” to the question of loving her.
“I am so blessed to have been loved into life by my adoptive parents, to be a wife and a mother to two amazing daughters, one of whom is here today,” she said.
Ohden spoke of later being accepted by her birth mother and her birth mother’s family. She has forgiven them, and they are reconciled and love one another.
“Abortion didn’t empower my birth mother,” Ohden said, contradicting the message of the abortion industry and its allies.
“It certainly didn’t empower me. It didn’t empower my own daughters who never would have lived if that abortion [had] succeeded in ending my life.”
The abortion survivor said that it is life that empowers.
“Life is what has empowered each and every one of us,” she proclaimed.
“Life is what has allowed healing. Life is what brought forth love and forgiveness, and life is what allowed the pain of our family to be transformed into purpose. Life empowers us all.”
Culwell and Ohden both thanked the crowds for marching. Both emphasized that they were uniquely able to speak for aborted babies, having been aborted themselves.
“I am more than a ‘choice,’” Ohden said. “I am more than someone else’s ‘reproductive right’. I am a human being, and so are the other survivors of abortion.”
Ohden said that the Abortion Survivors Network has worked with 300 people who have survived abortion. Stating that the world needed face “who abortion has affected”, she introduced a short film produced by “Faces of Choice.” In the video, Ohden and other survivors of abortion ask such questions as “Can you look me in the eye and tell me that I shouldn’t exist?” “That I should be dead?” and “That I deserved to die that day?”
The survivors declare also, “I am the face of choice.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Scalise rallies March for Life to help force vote to protect born-alive babies

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – House Minority Whip Steve Scalise was among the pro-life lawmakers to address the annual March for Life on Friday , taking the opportunity to share with the crowd how they could help House Republicans overcome Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s obstruction of legislation to ban infanticide .
“ God has a plan for all of you as well , ” said Scalise , who represents Louisiana ’ s first Congressional district .
“ That ’ s why you ’ re here marching for life.
” He explained the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act ( BAASPA ) , which would require abortionists to transfer infants who survive abortions to hospitals , where they would be given the same degree of care as any wanted newborn .
The 2002 Born-Alive Infants Protection Act ( BAIPA ) recognizes such babies as human beings with human rights , but doesn ’ t define how specifically to handle them .
In late February , the U.S. Senate voted 53-44 in favor of the bill , falling short of the 60 votes necessary to overcome the current filibuster rules and pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill , including every senator currently running for president .
House Democrats have repeatedly blocked BAASPA from receiving a vote .
“ We ’ ve asked now over 80 times to bring that bill to the floor and ( Pelosi has ) blocked it every single time , ” Scalise said .
“ But I filed a discharge petition .
This is a seldom-used legislative tool to go around Speaker Pelosi and force a vote on the Born-Alive Survivors Act.
” To succeed , the petition requires 218 signatures , of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Republican and three Democrats .
“ Now this should be a bipartisan issue , ” Scalise said .
“ This should be an easy bill to get to the floor ... there are a lot of people out there who ran for office saying they would be pro-life .
You are not pro-life if you don ’ t sign the discharge petition.
” He asked the attendees to look up whether their representatives have signed yet on this tracker , and to call and urge them to do so if not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ march for life , ” Scalise declared .
“ We are going to march for life and we are going to win this fight.
” Only five Democrats voted to support BAASPA when it was first introduced in 2015 , and the number of pro-life House Democrats has decreased since then .
Readers can click here to read , sign , and share the LifeSiteNews petition urging the House to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act .
Readers can also follow LifeSiteNews ’ continuing coverage of the 47th annual March for @ @ @ @ @

The House Minority Whip is attempting to do an end-run around Speaker Nancy Pelosi's obstruction of the legislation and urged the crowd to pressure their representatives to support the bill.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – House Minority Whip Steve Scalise was among the pro-life lawmakers to address the annual March for Life on Friday, taking the opportunity to share with the crowd how they could help House Republicans overcome Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s obstruction of legislation to ban infanticide.
“God has a plan for all of you as well,” said Scalise, who represents Louisiana’s first Congressional district. “That’s why you’re here marching for life.”
He explained the importance of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (BAASPA), which would require abortionists to transfer infants who survive abortions to hospitals, where they would be given the same degree of care as any wanted newborn. The 2002 Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (BAIPA) recognizes such babies as human beings with human rights, but doesn’t define how specifically to handle them.
In late February, the U.S. Senate voted 53-44 in favor of the bill, falling short of the 60 votes necessary to overcome the current filibuster rules and pass. All but three Senate Democrats opposed the bill, including every senator currently running for president. House Democrats have repeatedly blocked BAASPA from receiving a vote.
“We’ve asked now over 80 times to bring that bill to the floor and (Pelosi has) blocked it every single time,” Scalise said. “But I filed a discharge petition. This is a seldom-used legislative tool to go around Speaker Pelosi and force a vote on the Born-Alive Survivors Act.”
To succeed, the petition requires 218 signatures, of which it currently has 204, including every House Republican and three Democrats.
“Now this should be a bipartisan issue,” Scalise said. “This should be an easy bill to get to the floor … there are a lot of people out there who ran for office saying they would be pro-life. You are not pro-life if you don’t sign the discharge petition.”
He asked the attendees to look up whether their representatives have signed yet on this tracker, and to call and urge them to do so if not.
“We are not just going to march for life,” Scalise declared. “We are going to march for life and we are going to win this fight.”
Only five Democrats voted to support BAASPA when it was first introduced in 2015, and the number of pro-life House Democrats has decreased since then.
Readers can click here to read, sign, and share the LifeSiteNews petition urging the House to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Readers can also follow LifeSiteNews’ continuing coverage of the 47th annual March for Life by clicking here.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Here are just some of the awesome signs we saw at the 2020 March for Life

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – At the 47th annual March for Life , @ @ @ @ @ Trump , incorporating popular culture , sharing the pro-life message in general , and representing @ @ @ @ @ Here are some of them .
All photos are by LifeSiteNews ( with the exception @ @ @ @ @ ) unless otherwise specified .
The theme of this year 's March for Life was @ @ @ @ @ Pro-Woman .

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – At the 47th annual March for Life, marchers carried signs thanking President Trump, incorporating popular culture, sharing the pro-life message in general, and representing schools and pro-life clubs.
Here are some of them. All photos are by LifeSiteNews (with the exception of embedded social media posts) unless otherwise specified.
The theme of this year's March for Life was Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.
Lots of kids here today! One mom said she came here instead of the Women’s March because there’s a “slew of things they’re marching for, but we’re marching for others.” #WhyWeMarch pic.twitter.com/YWwn9QnpT8 — Kylee Zempel (@kyleezempel) January 24, 2020
We march to protect the ones who cannot protect themselves.#WhyWeMarch #LifeEmpowers pic.twitter.com/cONA9ovNbX — March for Life (@March_for_Life) January 24, 2020
More than 800 students, faculty, staff and graduate students from the Notre Dame, Holy Cross College and Saint Mary’s College will participate in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. tomorrow: https://t.co/b0q0qxJ8g2 pic.twitter.com/p2TAepBm2w — Notre Dame (@NotreDame) January 23, 2020
This is Izzy. This is her first #MarchForLife She is a catechist in my church. She’s here in DC to testify to the power of choosing life. #WhyWeMarch #iStand4Life pic.twitter.com/R9E9Qvi7t6 — Father Manny Alvarez (@FrManny) January 24, 2020
Our Virginia Regional Coordinator has a special message for the pro-infanticide governor of Virginia.#MarchForLife pic.twitter.com/BfVt5ItzKJ — Students for Life (@StudentsforLife) January 24, 2020
We are the generation that will end legalized abortion in United States! pic.twitter.com/PjFMZ9rNl5 — Students for Life (@StudentsforLife) January 24, 2020
We march because we believe in the worthiness of every human life!#WhyWeMarch #LifeEmpowers pic.twitter.com/s0nCAHmjMA — March for Life (@March_for_Life) January 24, 2020
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Trump ‘most pro-life president we’ve ever had’: Focus on the Family president at March for Life

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Jim Daly , president and CEO of U.S. pro-family group Focus on the Family , told attendees of today ’ s March for Life rally in Washington that President Trump “ is the most pro-life president we ’ ve ever had.
” Daly recalled being telephoned recently by a New York Times reporter who said “ how can you Jim , as a Christian , support President Trump ?
” Daly told the rally attendees that he responded to the question by asking the reporter : “ did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s supporters ?
No , of course not.
” Trump had addressed the March for Life rally just moments before and Daly told the crowd “ I think we just heard why we in the Christian , pro-life community support President Trump .
He is the most pro-life president we have ever had .
It ’ s great !
It ’ s great !
” Trump became the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person , telling hundreds of thousands of pro-life marchers that he was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ protect the right of every child , born and unborn , to fulfill their God-given potential.
” “ All of us here today understand an eternal truth : every child is a precious and sacred gift from God , ” Trump said .
“ Together we must cherish and defend the sanctity and dignity of human life .
When we hold a newborn in our arms , we know the boundless love a child brings to a family.
” Trump ’ s appearance is the latest demonstration of his support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how far the former celebrity businessman has come since his conversion from conventional New York liberal to Republican political candidate .
Trump is considered by many veteran pro-life activists to be the most pro-life president in history .
As president , Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups ( including International Planned Parenthood Federation ) , banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds , overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood , and issued rules protecting Americans from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health insurance plans .
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion , calling attention to Democrats ’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign .
Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers , as well .
In addition , the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations , from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn ’ t a human right and promoting abstinence education .
This year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country , to be “ National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
” In a proclamation issued this week , Trump declared that “ every person — the born and unborn , the poor , the downcast , the disabled , the infirm , and the elderly — has inherent value ” and said that the U.S. “ proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage , from conception to natural death.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event held in Times Square , New York , last where a live 4-D ultrasound of Abby Johnson ’ s unborn child was displayed on giant screens in the square , where he claimed that a group of protestors from The Black Lives Matter group , had joined the pro-life event after hearing that “ more black children were killed in New York City by Planned Parenthood , than were born last year.
” Daly also told the crowd about a new broadcast he has been working on with Abby Johnson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daly told the crowd that the former Planned Parentood employees had been required to meet monthly quotas for abortion .
“ I want America to hear this ” , he said .
“ Monthly quotas on the number of abortions !
And by the twentieth of the month if they were down the women working in the clinic were told to accelerate getting women to abort their babies .
Is that horrible ?
That ’ s why we stand in the pro-life movement , for the baby and for the woman .
”

'I think we just heard why we in the Christian, pro-life community support President Trump,' said Daly in comments made after President Trump spoke at the March for Life.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Jim Daly, president and CEO of U.S. pro-family group Focus on the Family, told attendees of today’s March for Life rally in Washington that President Trump “is the most pro-life president we’ve ever had.”
Daly recalled being telephoned recently by a New York Times reporter who said “how can you Jim, as a Christian, support President Trump?”
Daly told the rally attendees that he responded to the question by asking the reporter: “did you ever ask that question of President Obama’s supporters? No, of course not.”
Trump had addressed the March for Life rally just moments before and Daly told the crowd “I think we just heard why we in the Christian, pro-life community support President Trump. He is the most pro-life president we have ever had. It’s great! It’s great!”
Trump became the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person, telling hundreds of thousands of pro-life marchers that he was “proud to stand with you” to “protect the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential.”
“All of us here today understand an eternal truth: every child is a precious and sacred gift from God,” Trump said. “Together we must cherish and defend the sanctity and dignity of human life. When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the boundless love a child brings to a family.”
Trump’s appearance is the latest demonstration of his support for the pro-life cause, and a reminder of how far the former celebrity businessman has come since his conversion from conventional New York liberal to Republican political candidate.
Trump is considered by many veteran pro-life activists to be the most pro-life president in history.
As president, Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups (including International Planned Parenthood Federation), banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds, overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood, and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans.
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion, calling attention to Democrats’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign. Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers, as well.
In addition, the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations, from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn’t a human right and promoting abstinence education.
This year, Trump declared January 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country, to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.”
In a proclamation issued this week, Trump declared that “every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value” and said that the U.S. “proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.”
Daly also referred in his speech to an event held in Times Square, New York, last where a live 4-D ultrasound of Abby Johnson’s unborn child was displayed on giant screens in the square, where he claimed that a group of protestors from The Black Lives Matter group, had joined the pro-life event after hearing that “more black children were killed in New York City by Planned Parenthood, than were born last year.”
Daly also told the crowd about a new broadcast he has been working on with Abby Johnson and two other former Planned Parenthood employees. Daly told the crowd that the former Planned Parentood employees had been required to meet monthly quotas for abortion. “I want America to hear this”, he said. “Monthly quotas on the number of abortions! And by the twentieth of the month if they were down the women working in the clinic were told to accelerate getting women to abort their babies. Is that horrible? That’s why we stand in the pro-life movement, for the baby and for the woman.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--FULL TEXT: President Trump’s historic 2020 March for Life speech

Tell the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade .
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Below is the text of President Donald Trump 's address to the 2020 March for Life .
This is the first time any U.S. president has attended the march , which is the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world .
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT 2020 MARCH FOR LIFE Thank you very much and thank you , Jeanne .
It is my profound honor to be the first president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
[ applause ] We are here for a very simple reason : to defend the right of every child , born and unborn , to fulfill their God-given potential .
[ applause ] For 47 years , Americans of all backgrounds have traveled from across the country to stand for life .
And today as President of the United States , I am truly proud to stand with you .
[ applause ] I want to welcome tens of thousands – this is a tremendous turnout – tens of thousands of high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus rides to be here in our nation 's capital .
And to make you feel even better , there are tens of thousands of people outside that we passed on the way in .
If anybody would like to give up their spot , we can work it out .
We have a tremendous group of people outside .
Thousands and thousands wanted to get in .
This is some great success .
[ applause ] Young people are the heart of the March for Life .
And it ’ s your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pro-life nation .
[ applause ] The life movement is led by strong women , amazing faith leaders , and brave students who carry on the legacy of pioneers before us who fought to raise the conscience of our nation and uphold the rights of our citizens .
You embrace mothers with care and compassion .
You are empowered by prayer and motivated by your unselfish love .
You are grateful and we are so grateful – these are incredible people – to be joined by Secretary Alex Azar and Kellyanne Conway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Senators Mike Lee and James Lankford who are here .
Thank you , fellas .
And Representatives Steve Scalise , Chris Smith , Ralph Abraham , Warren Davidson , Bob Latta , John Joyce , Lloyd Smucker , Brian Fitzpatrick , and Brad Wenstrup .
Thank you all .
I have to say – and I look at it , and I see it exactly – we have many more politicians in the audience .
But if you do n't mind , I won ’ t introduce them all .
All of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God .
[ applause ] Together , we must protect , cherish , and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life .
[ applause ] When we see the image of a baby in the womb , we glimpse the majesty of God 's creation .
[ applause ] When we hold a newborn in our arms , we know the endless love that each child brings to a family .
When we watch a child grow , we see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One life changes the world – from my family , and I can tell you , I send love , and I send great , great love – and from the first day in office , I have taken historic action to support America ’ s families and to protect the unborn .
[ applause ] And during my first week in office , I reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy and we issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title X taxpayer funding .
I notified Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakens pro-life policy or that encourages the destruction of human life .
[ applause ] At the United Nations , I made clear that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that protect innocent life .
[ applause ] Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House .
[ applause ] As the Bible tells us , each person is wonderfully made .
[ applause ] We have taken decisive action to protect the religious liberty – so important – religious liberty has been under attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very strongly attacked in our nation .
You see it better than anyone .
But we are stopping it .
And we ’ re taking care of doctors , nurses , teachers , and groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor .
[ applause ] We are preserving faith-based adoption and to uphold our founding documents , we have appointed 187 federal judges , who apply the consultation as written , including two phenomenal supreme court justices – Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh .
[ applause ] We are protecting pro-life students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campuses .
And if universities want federal taxpayer dollars , then they must uphold your First Amendment right to speak your mind .
And if they do n't , they pay a very big financial penalty , which they will not be willing to pay .
[ applause ] Sadly , the far left is working to erase our God-given rights , shut down faith-based charities , ban religious leaders from the public square , and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life .
They are coming after me because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting for those who have no voice .
And we will win because we know how to win .
[ applause ] We all know how to win .
We all know how to win .
You ’ ve been winning for a long time .
You ’ ve been winning for a long time .
Together , we are the voice for the voiceless .
When it comes to abortion – and you know this , you ’ ve seen what ’ s happened – Democrats have embraced the most radical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country for years and decades , and you can even say , for centuries .
Nearly every top Democrat in congress now supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up until the moment of birth .
Last year , lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother 's womb right up until delivery .
Then , we had the case of the Democrat governor in the state of Virginia , the commonwealth of Virginia .
And we love the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on in Virginia ?
What is going on ?
The governor stated that he would execute a baby after birth .
You remember that .
Senate Democrats even blocked legislation that would give medical care to babies who survive attempted abortions .
And that ’ s why I ’ ve called on Congress – two of our great senators here , so many of our congressmen here – I called upon them to defend the dignity of life and to pass legislation prohibiting late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] This year , the March for Life is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment , which forever enshrined women 's rights to vote in the United States and given by the United States constitution .
Such a big event .
Today , millions of extraordinary women across America are using the power of their votes to fight for the right and all of their rights as given in the Declaration of Independence – it ’ s the right to life .
[ applause ] To all the women here today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our entire nation and we thank you for that .
The tens of thousands of Americans gathered today not only stand for life – it ’ s really here that they stand for it so proudly together .
And I want to thank everybody for that .
You stand for life each and every day .
You provide housing , education , jobs , and medical care to the women that you serve .
You find loving families for children in need of a forever home .
You host baby showers for expecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it your life 's mission to help spread God 's grace .
And to all the moms here today , we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes .
[ applause ] Your strength , devotion , and drive is what powers our nation .
Because of you , our country has been blessed with amazing souls who have changed the course of human history .
We can not know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve .
The dreams they will imagine .
The masterpieces they will create .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know this : every life brings love into this world .
Every child brings joy to a family .
Every person is worth protecting .
And above all , we know that every human soul is divine and every human life , born and unborn , is made in the holy image of Almighty God .
[ applause ] Together , we will defend this truth all across our magnificent land .
We will set free the dreams of our people .
And with determined hope , we look forward to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beauty , talent , purpose , nobility , and grace of every American child .
I want to thank you .
This is a very special moment .
It ’ s so great to represent you .
I love you all .
[ applause ] And I say with a true passion , thank you , God bless you , and God bless America .
Thank you all .
Thank you .
[ applause ] Watch some reactions on the ground at the March for Life to President Trump 's historic speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Life : ‘ Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in White House ’

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WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Below is the text of President Donald Trump's address to the 2020 March for Life. This is the first time any U.S. president has attended the march, which is the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world.
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AT 2020 MARCH FOR LIFE
Thank you very much and thank you, Jeanne. It is my profound honor to be the first president in history to attend the March for Life. [applause] We are here for a very simple reason: to defend the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential. [applause]
For 47 years, Americans of all backgrounds have traveled from across the country to stand for life.
And today as President of the United States, I am truly proud to stand with you. [applause]
I want to welcome tens of thousands – this is a tremendous turnout – tens of thousands of high school and college students who took long bus rides to be here in our nation's capital. And to make you feel even better, there are tens of thousands of people outside that we passed on the way in. If anybody would like to give up their spot, we can work it out.
We have a tremendous group of people outside. Thousands and thousands wanted to get in. This is some great success. [applause]
Young people are the heart of the March for Life. And it’s your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation. [applause]
The life movement is led by strong women, amazing faith leaders, and brave students who carry on the legacy of pioneers before us who fought to raise the conscience of our nation and uphold the rights of our citizens. You embrace mothers with care and compassion. You are empowered by prayer and motivated by your unselfish love. You are grateful and we are so grateful – these are incredible people – to be joined by Secretary Alex Azar and Kellyanne Conway. [applause]
And thanks also to Senators Mike Lee and James Lankford who are here. Thank you, fellas. And Representatives Steve Scalise, Chris Smith, Ralph Abraham, Warren Davidson, Bob Latta, John Joyce, Lloyd Smucker, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Brad Wenstrup. Thank you all. I have to say – and I look at it, and I see it exactly – we have many more politicians in the audience. But if you don't mind, I won’t introduce them all.
All of us here understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God. [applause] Together, we must protect, cherish, and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life. [applause]
When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God's creation. [applause] When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the endless love that each child brings to a family. When we watch a child grow, we see the splendor that radiates from each human soul. One life changes the world – from my family, and I can tell you, I send love, and I send great, great love – and from the first day in office, I have taken historic action to support America’s families and to protect the unborn. [applause]
And during my first week in office, I reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy and we issued a landmark pro-life rule to govern the use of Title X taxpayer funding. I notified Congress that I would veto any legislation that weakens pro-life policy or that encourages the destruction of human life. [applause]
At the United Nations, I made clear that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that protect innocent life. [applause] Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House. [applause]
As the Bible tells us, each person is wonderfully made. [applause]
We have taken decisive action to protect the religious liberty – so important – religious liberty has been under attack all over the world and frankly, very strongly attacked in our nation. You see it better than anyone. But we are stopping it. And we’re taking care of doctors, nurses, teachers, and groups like the Little Sisters of the Poor. [applause]
We are preserving faith-based adoption and to uphold our founding documents, we have appointed 187 federal judges, who apply the Constitution as written, including two phenomenal supreme court justices – Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. [applause]
We are protecting pro-life students’ rights to free speech on college campuses. And if universities want federal taxpayer dollars, then they must uphold your First Amendment right to speak your mind. And if they don't, they pay a very big financial penalty, which they will not be willing to pay. [applause]
Sadly, the far left is working to erase our God-given rights, shut down faith-based charities, ban religious leaders from the public square, and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life. They are coming after me because I am fighting for you and we are fighting for those who have no voice. And we will win because we know how to win. [applause] We all know how to win. We all know how to win. You’ve been winning for a long time. You’ve been winning for a long time.
Together, we are the voice for the voiceless. When it comes to abortion – and you know this, you’ve seen what’s happened – Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions taken and seen in this country for years and decades, and you can even say, for centuries.
Nearly every top Democrat in congress now supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up until the moment of birth. Last year, lawmakers in New York cheered with delight upon the passage of legislation that would allow a baby to be ripped from the mother's womb right up until delivery.
Then, we had the case of the Democrat governor in the state of Virginia, the commonwealth of Virginia. And we love the commonwealth of Virginia, but what is going on in Virginia? What is going on? The governor stated that he would execute a baby after birth. You remember that.
Senate Democrats even blocked legislation that would give medical care to babies who survive attempted abortions. And that’s why I’ve called on Congress – two of our great senators here, so many of our congressmen here – I called upon them to defend the dignity of life and to pass legislation prohibiting late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in their mother's womb. [applause]
This year, the March for Life is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which forever enshrined women's rights to vote in the United States and given by the United States constitution. Such a big event. Today, millions of extraordinary women across America are using the power of their votes to fight for the right and all of their rights as given in the Declaration of Independence – it’s the right to life. [applause]
To all the women here today, your devotion and your leadership uplifts our entire nation and we thank you for that. The tens of thousands of Americans gathered today not only stand for life – it’s really here that they stand for it so proudly together. And I want to thank everybody for that. You stand for life each and every day. You provide housing, education, jobs, and medical care to the women that you serve. You find loving families for children in need of a forever home. You host baby showers for expecting moms. You make – you just make it your life's mission to help spread God's grace.
And to all the moms here today, we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes. [applause] Your strength, devotion, and drive is what powers our nation. Because of you, our country has been blessed with amazing souls who have changed the course of human history.
We cannot know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve. The dreams they will imagine. The masterpieces they will create. The discoveries they will make. But we know this: every life brings love into this world. Every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting.
And above all, we know that every human soul is divine and every human life, born and unborn, is made in the holy image of Almighty God. [applause]
Together, we will defend this truth all across our magnificent land. We will set free the dreams of our people. And with determined hope, we look forward to all of the blessings that will come from the beauty, talent, purpose, nobility, and grace of every American child.
I want to thank you. This is a very special moment. It’s so great to represent you. I love you all. [applause] And I say with a true passion, thank you, God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all. Thank you. [applause]
Watch some reactions on the ground at the March for Life to President Trump's historic speech:
RELATED: Trump at 2020 March for Life: ‘Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in White House’
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Trump at 2020 March for Life: ‘Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in White House’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Donald Trump made history Friday by becoming the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person , telling hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers he was “ proud to stand with you ” to “ protect the right of every child , born and unborn , to fulfill their God-given potential.
” “ Young people are the heart of the march for life and it ’ s your generation that ’ s making America the pro-family , pro-life nation , ” the president said , thanking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists for `` embrac [ ing ] mothers with care and compassion .
You ’ re powered by prayer and motivated by pure , unselfish love . ''
“ All of us here today understand an eternal truth : every child is a precious and sacred gift from God , ” Trump said .
“ Together we must cherish and defend the sanctity and dignity of human life .
When we hold a newborn in our arms , we know the boundless love a child brings to a family.
” Trump discussed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term , and declared that `` unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House . ''
He said the pro-life movement was acutely affected by the Left ’ s war on religious liberty , but pledged his administration would continue to defend religious speech and faith-based organizations .
`` The far left is working to erase our God-given rights , '' he said .
`` They ’ re coming after me because I ’ m fighting for you . ''
“ Together we are the voice for the voiceless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions we ’ ve seen in decades ” on the issue , citing Congressional Democrats ’ support for late-term abortion and opposition to mandating medical care for newborns that survive abortions .
“ To all the women here today , your devotion uplifts our entire nation and we thank you for that , ” the president said .
`` To all of the moms here today , we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes .
Every person is worth protecting and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and every human life born and unborn is made in the holy image of almighty God . ''
Pro-lifers “ just make it your life ’ s mission to help spread God ’ s grace , ” he added , with their efforts to provide aid to pregnant women and help children put up for adoption “ find their forever home.
” '' We can not know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve , '' the president told the crowd .
`` But we know this : every life brings love into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a family .
Every person is worth protecting . ''
Watch some reactions on the ground at the March for Life to President Trump 's historic speech : While presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush expressed their support for the March for Life with phone messages , Trump became the first president to deliver live remarks ( albeit remotely , from the White House ) to the event in 2018 .
Trump ’ s appearance is the latest demonstration of his support for the pro-life cause , and a reminder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come since his conversion from conventional New York liberal to Republican political candidate .
Trump is considered by many veteran pro-life activists to be the most pro-life president in history .
As president , Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups ( including International Planned Parenthood Federation ) , banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds , overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood , and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also forcefully denounced abortion , calling attention to Democrats ’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign .
Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers , as well .
In addition , the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations , from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn ’ t a human right and promoting abstinence education .
This year , Trump declared January 22 , the anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposing abortion on demand across the country , to be “ National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
” In a proclamation issued this week , Trump declared that “ every person — the born and unborn , the poor , the downcast , the disabled , the infirm , and the elderly — has inherent value ” and said that the U.S. “ proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage , from conception to natural death.
” While President Trump addressed the March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Pope Francis at the Vatican , highlighting the administration ’ s alliance with the Catholic Church in matters of life and religious freedom .

'Mothers are heroes,' and pro-lifers 'just make it your life’s mission to help spread God’s grace,' he said.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Donald Trump made history Friday by becoming the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person, telling hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers he was “proud to stand with you” to “protect the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential.”
“Young people are the heart of the march for life and it’s your generation that’s making America the pro-family, pro-life nation,” the president said, thanking students for making the trip and pro-life activists for “embrac[ing] mothers with care and compassion. You’re powered by prayer and motivated by pure, unselfish love.”
READ: Full transcript of President Trump’s historic 2020 March for Life speech
“All of us here today understand an eternal truth: every child is a precious and sacred gift from God,” Trump said. “Together we must cherish and defend the sanctity and dignity of human life. When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the boundless love a child brings to a family.”
Trump discussed the actions he has taken through his first term, and declared that “unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.” He said the pro-life movement was acutely affected by the Left’s war on religious liberty, but pledged his administration would continue to defend religious speech and faith-based organizations. “The far left is working to erase our God-given rights,” he said. “They’re coming after me because I’m fighting for you.”
“Together we are the voice for the voiceless,” he went on. “Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions we’ve seen in decades” on the issue, citing Congressional Democrats’ support for late-term abortion and opposition to mandating medical care for newborns that survive abortions.
“To all the women here today, your devotion uplifts our entire nation and we thank you for that,” the president said. “To all of the moms here today, we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes. Every person is worth protecting and we know that every human soul is divine and every human life born and unborn is made in the holy image of almighty God.”
Pro-lifers “just make it your life’s mission to help spread God’s grace,” he added, with their efforts to provide aid to pregnant women and help children put up for adoption “find their forever home.”
“We cannot know what our citizens yet unborn will achieve,” the president told the crowd. “But we know this: every life brings love into this world, every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting.”
Watch some reactions on the ground at the March for Life to President Trump's historic speech:
While presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush expressed their support for the March for Life with phone messages, Trump became the first president to deliver live remarks (albeit remotely, from the White House) to the event in 2018.
Trump’s appearance is the latest demonstration of his support for the pro-life cause, and a reminder of how far the former celebrity businessman has come since his conversion from conventional New York liberal to Republican political candidate.
Trump is considered by many veteran pro-life activists to be the most pro-life president in history.
As president, Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups (including International Planned Parenthood Federation), banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds, overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood, and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans.
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion, calling attention to Democrats’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign. Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers, as well.
In addition, the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations, from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn’t a human right and promoting abstinence education.
This year, Trump declared January 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country, to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.”
In a proclamation issued this week, Trump declared that “every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value” and said that the U.S. “proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.”
While President Trump addressed the March, his Vice President Mike Pence is meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, highlighting the administration’s alliance with the Catholic Church in matters of life and religious freedom.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--14 abortion survivors put a face to ‘choice’ in new TV ad launched at March for Life

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – An ad created for mainstream television featuring 14 survivors of attempted abortion was revealed on the main stage during the Washington D.C. March for Life today as well as along the main route on jumbotrons .
The ad campaign , titled Faces of Choice , is designed to raise awareness of the survivors of abortion who all univocally make it clear that they are persons and not a `` choice . ''
“ Faces of Choice was birthed to bring awareness to a demographic of survivors that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aborted , but survived , ” said Lyric Gillett , Faces of Choice executive director .
“ I am convinced that the key to changing the cultural conversation about abortion is within the voices of the survivors .
The idea behind this initiative is that every great civil rights or humanitarian movement of our era has had an actual face of a survivor attached to it , giving it meaning outside of a nebulous concept.
” Featured in the ad are abortion survivors Dr. Imre Téglásy ( 1952 , Hungary ) ; Paula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Penny ” Hopper ( 11/29/55 ) ; Denisha Workizer ( 7/11/76 ) ; Melissa Ohden ( 8/29/77 ) ; Jennifer Millbourn ( 9/02/78 ) ; Jennifer Callender ( 7/18/80 ) ; Claire Culwell ( 3/06/88 ) ; Hope Hoffman ( 8/12/91 ) ; Josiah Presley ( 10/07/95 ) ; Asiimwe Ronald Williams ( 9/25/97 , Uganda ) ; Dona Marie Mendoza ( Philippines ) ; Jaylin Schoch ( 8/15/03 ) ; and Zechariah Hagan ( 10/20/13 ) , who was one of the first abortion pill reversal survivors .
Melissa Ohden , founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ad from the March for Life 's main stage after her keynote speech .
“ Through The Abortion Survivors Network , we have been connecting and supporting survivors for the last eight years , but this project , Faces of Choice , is the first media project we ’ ve been a part of that includes survivors from around the world .
We can ’ t think of a more important time to come together and challenge the world to face the ‘ choice ’ of abortion and encourage people to ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , ” she said in a press release .
Gillett said that the ad campaign seeks to `` make an ad that showed the many faces of survivors of abortion , to put a face to the ‘ choice ’ of ending life.
” “ As much as the abortion industry wants to destigmatize the decision to end a pregnancy , we want to show the lives that were spared despite the death sentence imposed upon them .
We often seek to separate the humanity from things that make us uneasy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – stares you in the eye and tells you their story , a paradigm shift takes place that can not be conveniently forgotten , and which has the power to change everything .
We have thousands of survivors of abortion in the United States , alone ; more than enough survivors to attach an actual face to the misnomer of ‘ choice.
’ '' Babies who survive abortion became mainstream news last year when New York and Virginia passed laws that specifically allowed abortion until the moment of birth , with Virginia Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survived the process could be left to die , if that 's what the mother wanted .
“ Abortion advocates need to look these survivors in the eye and come to terms with the fact that they are human , that their lives matter , and that choice is more than a word : it ’ s a person , ” said Gillett .
Distribution for the ad is not yet determined .
“ Our team has worked for months to have a shorter version of the ad run during the 2020 Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us a clear answer , ” said Gillett .
“ We are currently looking at other options and outlets and are in talks with various networks .
”

'Abortion advocates need to look these survivors in the eye and come to terms with the fact that they are human, that their lives matter'
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – An ad created for mainstream television featuring 14 survivors of attempted abortion was revealed on the main stage during the Washington D.C. March for Life today as well as along the main route on jumbotrons.
The ad campaign, titled Faces of Choice, is designed to raise awareness of the survivors of abortion who all univocally make it clear that they are persons and not a “choice.”
“Faces of Choice was birthed to bring awareness to a demographic of survivors that has gone largely unnoticed: those who were aborted, but survived,” said Lyric Gillett, Faces of Choice executive director.
“I am convinced that the key to changing the cultural conversation about abortion is within the voices of the survivors. The idea behind this initiative is that every great civil rights or humanitarian movement of our era has had an actual face of a survivor attached to it, giving it meaning outside of a nebulous concept.”
Featured in the ad are abortion survivors Dr. Imre Téglásy (1952, Hungary); Paula Page (02/24/54); Miriam “Penny” Hopper (11/29/55); Denisha Workizer (7/11/76); Melissa Ohden (8/29/77); Jennifer Millbourn (9/02/78); Jennifer Callender (7/18/80); Claire Culwell (3/06/88); Hope Hoffman (8/12/91); Josiah Presley (10/07/95); Asiimwe Ronald Williams (9/25/97, Uganda); Dona Marie Mendoza (Philippines); Jaylin Schoch (8/15/03); and Zechariah Hagan (10/20/13), who was one of the first abortion pill reversal survivors.
Melissa Ohden, founder of the Abortion Survivors Network, introduced the ad from the March for Life's main stage after her keynote speech.
“Through The Abortion Survivors Network, we have been connecting and supporting survivors for the last eight years, but this project, Faces of Choice, is the first media project we’ve been a part of that includes survivors from around the world. We can’t think of a more important time to come together and challenge the world to face the ‘choice’ of abortion and encourage people to ultimately find healing and create a culture of life,” she said in a press release.
Gillett said that the ad campaign seeks to “make an ad that showed the many faces of survivors of abortion, to put a face to the ‘choice’ of ending life.”
“As much as the abortion industry wants to destigmatize the decision to end a pregnancy, we want to show the lives that were spared despite the death sentence imposed upon them. We often seek to separate the humanity from things that make us uneasy, but when a victim – a survivor – stares you in the eye and tells you their story, a paradigm shift takes place that cannot be conveniently forgotten, and which has the power to change everything. We have thousands of survivors of abortion in the United States, alone; more than enough survivors to attach an actual face to the misnomer of ‘choice.’”
Babies who survive abortion became mainstream news last year when New York and Virginia passed laws that specifically allowed abortion until the moment of birth, with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam stating that those babies who survived the process could be left to die, if that's what the mother wanted.
“Abortion advocates need to look these survivors in the eye and come to terms with the fact that they are human, that their lives matter, and that choice is more than a word: it’s a person,” said Gillett.
Distribution for the ad is not yet determined.
“Our team has worked for months to have a shorter version of the ad run during the 2020 Super Bowl but the network refused to give us a clear answer,” said Gillett. “We are currently looking at other options and outlets and are in talks with various networks.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Every newly created child should be a sign of hope to the world. That’s why pro-lifers march today

January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – To many outsiders looking in , today ’ s March for Life in Washington , D.C. seems to be a strange and foreign event .
Hundreds of thousands of people , many of them young , from every walk of life , faith background , and corner of the country , will show up in the nation ’ s capital during one of the coldest months of the year to demand protection for human life in the womb , driven by a passion that many Americans on the other side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of my friends will be there today , and I wish I was with them .
So why are so many people so passionate about an issue that the abortion movement thought would die almost fifty years ago ?
Yesterday , Ben Domenech , publisher of The Federalist , posed a question on Twitter that helped to answer that question : “ Everyone who is strongly pro-life has a moment that made them feel this way .
What ’ s yours ?
” Thousands of answers to that question promptly followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viscerally powerful : I knew I was pro-life from a young age .
But when I was 12 , I read Whittaker Chamber 's book , WITNESS .
If you have n't read it , the chapter THE CHILD is the fulcrum of the whole thing : “ For one of us to have a child , ” my brother had said “ would be a crime against nature.
” I longed for children .
But I agreed with my brother .
There had been enough misery in our time .
What selfish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And what right had any man and woman to bring children into the 20th-century world ?
As a Communist , I took it for granted children were out of the question .
Abortion , which now fills me with physical horror , I then regarded , like all Communists , as a mere physical manipulation .
One day , early in 1933 , my wife told me she believed she had conceived .
No man can hear from his wife , especially for the first time , that she is carrying his child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pride .
I felt it .
But so sunk were we in that life that it was only a passing joy , and was succeeded by a merely momentary sadness that we would not have the child .
We discussed the matter , and my wife said that she must go at once for a physical check and to arrange for the abortion .
When my wife came back…she was quiet and noncommittal .
The doctor had said there was a child .
My wife went about preparing supper .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked .
“ She said that I am in good physical shape to have a baby.
” My wife went on silently working .
Very slowly , the truth dawned on me .
“ Do you mean , ” I asked , “ that you want to have the child ?
” My wife came over to me , took my hands and burst into tears .
“ Dear heart , ” she said in a pleading voice , “ we couldn ’ t do that awful thing to a little baby , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart.
” A wild joy swept me .
Reason , the agony of my family , the Communist Party and its theories , the wars and revolutions of the 20th century , crumbled at the touch of the child .
And that sums it all up , does it not ?
The arrival of a newborn child is hope itself , perhaps even more so when the world around her seems to be darkening .
I didn ’ t truly understand this until my daughter was born , but it is true .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight harder for the things you love , to create a safe home for her to have a childhood , and to bear whatever burden you must to ensure that for a few precious years , she might live carefree .
Yes , the world is often an ugly place .
But that reality means that a little child creates a contrast so vivid than even those who do not like children can not help but smile when they hear a baby ’ s giggle or see a huge , unfeigned smile of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses to Domenech ’ s question were many heartbreaking stories , too , of women who found out too late what abortion really was and grieve their missing babies even when their missing offspring would have long moved into adulthood .
And over and over again , people said that it was seeing what abortion actually is that changed their mind .
Seeing the reality of severed limbs , broken skulls , and hideously beautiful little faces cut from their bodies is enough to change someone ’ s life .
It certainly changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to join the pro-life movement fulltime when I headed off to university to study history .
Nobody really plans to join the pro-life movement—as Scott Klusendorf once said , it is more like you are summoned into it .
One of my professors mentioned abortion during a history of religion class , and it occurred to me that I had no idea how to make the pro-life case .
I went up to the library , googled the word , and watched a video of a baby getting pulled apart by an abortionist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if someone had closed a fist around my insides and then squeezed and twisted .
I will never forget it .
That is why hundreds of thousands of people will march today : For those 3,000 little children that will be brutally killed today , and every day , until we end the killing and restore protection for every human being , regardless of age .
That is why so many people will not stop staffing crisis pregnancy centers , and counseling outside of abortion clinics , and doing street outreach , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and volunteering for candidates who promise to stand up for the pre-born .
We have seen what abortion is , and what it has done to human beings just like us .
We have seen their faces , and we can not forget them .
Jonathon ’ s new podcast , The Van Maren Show , is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement .
In his latest episode , he interviews speaks with Dr. Charles Murray about why America has fallen apart and what we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became well known in 1984 with the publication of Losing Ground , a piece which is credited with being the intellectual foundation for the Welfare Reform Act .
Murray is a New York Times bestseller , political researcher and scholar , and the F.A .
Hayek Emeritus Chair in Culture Studies at the American Enterprise Institute .
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below :

'Everyone who is strongly pro-life has a moment that made them feel this way. What’s yours?'
January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – To many outsiders looking in, today’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. seems to be a strange and foreign event. Hundreds of thousands of people, many of them young, from every walk of life, faith background, and corner of the country, will show up in the nation’s capital during one of the coldest months of the year to demand protection for human life in the womb, driven by a passion that many Americans on the other side of the ideological divide find nearly impossible to understand. Many of my friends will be there today, and I wish I was with them.
So why are so many people so passionate about an issue that the abortion movement thought would die almost fifty years ago? Yesterday, Ben Domenech, publisher of The Federalist, posed a question on Twitter that helped to answer that question: “Everyone who is strongly pro-life has a moment that made them feel this way. What’s yours?” Thousands of answers to that question promptly followed. Domenech’s own response was viscerally powerful:
I knew I was pro-life from a young age. But when I was 12, I read Whittaker Chamber's book, WITNESS. If you haven't read it, the chapter THE CHILD is the fulcrum of the whole thing:
“For one of us to have a child,” my brother had said “would be a crime against nature.” I longed for children. But I agreed with my brother. There had been enough misery in our time. What selfish right had I to perpetuate it? And what right had any man and woman to bring children into the 20th-century world? As a Communist, I took it for granted children were out of the question. Abortion, which now fills me with physical horror, I then regarded, like all Communists, as a mere physical manipulation. One day, early in 1933, my wife told me she believed she had conceived. No man can hear from his wife, especially for the first time, that she is carrying his child, without a physical jolt of joy and pride. I felt it. But so sunk were we in that life that it was only a passing joy, and was succeeded by a merely momentary sadness that we would not have the child. We discussed the matter, and my wife said that she must go at once for a physical check and to arrange for the abortion. When my wife came back…she was quiet and noncommittal. The doctor had said there was a child. My wife went about preparing supper. “What else did she say?” I asked. “She said that I am in good physical shape to have a baby.” My wife went on silently working. Very slowly, the truth dawned on me. “Do you mean,” I asked, “that you want to have the child?” My wife came over to me, took my hands and burst into tears. “Dear heart,” she said in a pleading voice, “we couldn’t do that awful thing to a little baby, not to a little baby, dear heart.” A wild joy swept me. Reason, the agony of my family, the Communist Party and its theories, the wars and revolutions of the 20th century, crumbled at the touch of the child.
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And that sums it all up, does it not? The arrival of a newborn child is hope itself, perhaps even more so when the world around her seems to be darkening. I didn’t truly understand this until my daughter was born, but it is true. A child gives you a reason to fight harder for the things you love, to create a safe home for her to have a childhood, and to bear whatever burden you must to ensure that for a few precious years, she might live carefree. Yes, the world is often an ugly place. But that reality means that a little child creates a contrast so vivid than even those who do not like children cannot help but smile when they hear a baby’s giggle or see a huge, unfeigned smile of unrestrained joy.
In the thousands of responses to Domenech’s question were many heartbreaking stories, too, of women who found out too late what abortion really was and grieve their missing babies even when their missing offspring would have long moved into adulthood. And over and over again, people said that it was seeing what abortion actually is that changed their mind. Seeing the reality of severed limbs, broken skulls, and hideously beautiful little faces cut from their bodies is enough to change someone’s life. It certainly changed mine.
I wasn’t planning to join the pro-life movement fulltime when I headed off to university to study history. Nobody really plans to join the pro-life movement—as Scott Klusendorf once said, it is more like you are summoned into it. One of my professors mentioned abortion during a history of religion class, and it occurred to me that I had no idea how to make the pro-life case. I went up to the library, googled the word, and watched a video of a baby getting pulled apart by an abortionist wielding metal tools. It was as if someone had closed a fist around my insides and then squeezed and twisted. I will never forget it.
That is why hundreds of thousands of people will march today: For those 3,000 little children that will be brutally killed today, and every day, until we end the killing and restore protection for every human being, regardless of age. That is why so many people will not stop staffing crisis pregnancy centers, and counseling outside of abortion clinics, and doing street outreach, and flooding social media with the pro-life message, and volunteering for candidates who promise to stand up for the pre-born. We have seen what abortion is, and what it has done to human beings just like us. We have seen their faces, and we cannot forget them.
Jonathon’s new podcast, The Van Maren Show, is dedicated to telling the stories of the pro-life and pro-family movement. In his latest episode, he interviews speaks with Dr. Charles Murray about why America has fallen apart and what we need to do about it. Dr. Murray first became well known in 1984 with the publication of Losing Ground, a piece which is credited with being the intellectual foundation for the Welfare Reform Act. Murray is a New York Times bestseller, political researcher and scholar, and the F.A. Hayek Emeritus Chair in Culture Studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
You can subscribe here and listen to the episode below:
Follow Jonathon Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. His commentary has been translated into more than eight languages and published widely online as well as print newspapers such as the Jewish Independent, the National Post, the Hamilton Spectator and others. He has received an award for combating anti-Semitism in print from the Jewish organization B’nai Brith. His commentary has been featured on CTV Primetime, Global News, EWTN, and the CBC as well as dozens of radio stations and news outlets in Canada and the United States. He speaks on a wide variety of cultural topics across North America at universities, high schools, churches, and other functions. Some of these topics include abortion, pornography, the Sexual Revolution, and euthanasia. Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in history from Simon Fraser University, and is the communications director for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform. Jonathon’s first book, The Culture War, was released in 2016.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--BREAKING: Trump admin announces action against California for forcing churches to fund abortions

January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Trump administration ’ s Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) announced today that California is violating federal law by trying to force churches to pay for abortions .
The announcement comes the morning of the 47th annual March for Life , at which President Donald Trump is slated to speak .
He will be the first U.S. president to ever attend the march , which is the largest human rights demonstration in the world .
A lengthy legal battle has been underway since 2014 , when California enacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health insurance plans that cover elective abortions , regardless of religious or moral objections to funding abortion deaths .
Under these regulations , all abortions are considered “ basic health care ” and “ medically necessary.
” Churches were not even informed when abortion coverage was added to their health plans , according to Alliance Defending Freedom .
The HHS Office for Civil Rights announced that it issued a Notice of Violation to the state of California , formally notifying the Golden State that it can not impose universal abortion coverage mandates on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federal conscience laws .
California has deprived over 28,000 people of plans that did not cover elective abortion , but now must cover abortion due to California ’ s mandate , according to HHS .
“ With this Notice , OCR requests that California inform OCR , within thirty days , whether California will continue to enforce its requirement that all health plans cover elective abortions , or whether it will agree to take corrective action and remedy the effect of its discriminatory conduct , ” HHS said in a press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court of California ruled against the Missionary Guadalupanas of the Holy Spirit , an apostolate that helps the poor , saying their health insurance plans must fund abortions .
The Supreme Court of California upheld the pro-abortion regulation by reinterpretting a 1974 law to mean that abortion is “ medically necessary.
” But OCR has sided with the Missionaries , who along with Skyline Wesleyan Church had appealed to OCR for help .
OCR cited the Weldon Amendment , which prohibits federal agencies and programs , as well as state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against health care professionals , health care facilities , health insurance plans , and other health care entities “ on the basis that the health care entity does not provide , pay for , provide coverage of , or refer for abortions ” without any exceptions .
The Weldon Amendment , like the Hyde Amendment , is renewed annually .
The Weldon Amendment was renewed last month as part of the December government spending bills .
HHS noted this is not the first time California has been found to be violating federal statutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2019 , OCR found that California violated the Weldon and Coats-Snowe Amendments when it subjected pregnancy resource centers in the state to potential fines and discrimination for refusing to post notices referring for free or low-cost abortions.
” “ Once again , President Trump ’ s administration is delivering on his promise to protect human life and all Americans ’ freedom of conscience , ” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar .
“ Under President Trump , HHS has been vigorously enforcing the statutes Congress passed to protect Americans ’ consciences and institutionalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights work.
” Azar spoke at the Family Research Council ’ s annual ProLifeCon digital summit this morning , as he did last year .
“ No one in America should be forced to pay for or cover other people ’ s abortions , ” said Roger Severino , Director of OCR .
“ We are putting California on notice that it must stop forcing people of good will to subsidize the taking of human life , not only because it ’ s the moral thing to do , but because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , OCR also found that the Univesity of Vermont Medical Center ( UVMC ) violated federal law by forcing a nurse to commit an abortion .
HHS said it “ repeatedly ” sought cooperation from UVMMC , but it “ refused ” to change its policies , provide relevant documents , or produce witnesses .
UVMC was given 30 days to verify whether it will change its policies to comply with federal law and grant rules .
Otherwise , it was informed , the case would be referred to HHS ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for potential revocation of federal funds .

'We are putting California on notice that it must stop forcing people of good will to subsidize the taking of human life, not only because it’s the moral thing to do, but because it’s the law.'
January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that California is violating federal law by trying to force churches to pay for abortions.
The announcement comes the morning of the 47th annual March for Life, at which President Donald Trump is slated to speak. He will be the first U.S. president to ever attend the march, which is the largest human rights demonstration in the world.
A lengthy legal battle has been underway since 2014, when California enacted regulations forcing all employers to pay for health insurance plans that cover elective abortions, regardless of religious or moral objections to funding abortion deaths. Under these regulations, all abortions are considered “basic health care” and “medically necessary.”
Churches were not even informed when abortion coverage was added to their health plans, according to Alliance Defending Freedom.
The HHS Office for Civil Rights announced that it issued a Notice of Violation to the state of California, formally notifying the Golden State that it cannot impose universal abortion coverage mandates on health insurance plans and issuers in violation of federal conscience laws.
California has deprived over 28,000 people of plans that did not cover elective abortion, but now must cover abortion due to California’s mandate, according to HHS.
“With this Notice, OCR requests that California inform OCR, within thirty days, whether California will continue to enforce its requirement that all health plans cover elective abortions, or whether it will agree to take corrective action and remedy the effect of its discriminatory conduct,” HHS said in a press release.
It warned:
If, after 30 days, OCR does not receive sufficient assurance that California will come into compliance with federal law, OCR will forward the Notice of Violation and the evidence supporting OCR’s findings in this matter to the HHS funding components from which California receives funding for appropriate action under applicable grants and contracts regulations. This action may ultimately result in limitations on continued receipt of certain HHS funds.
Notably, last year, the Supreme Court of California ruled against the Missionary Guadalupanas of the Holy Spirit, an apostolate that helps the poor, saying their health insurance plans must fund abortions. The Supreme Court of California upheld the pro-abortion regulation by reinterpretting a 1974 law to mean that abortion is “medically necessary.”
But OCR has sided with the Missionaries, who along with Skyline Wesleyan Church had appealed to OCR for help.
OCR cited the Weldon Amendment, which prohibits federal agencies and programs, as well as state and local governments that receive LHHS funding from discriminating against health care professionals, health care facilities, health insurance plans, and other health care entities “on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions” without any exceptions. The Weldon Amendment, like the Hyde Amendment, is renewed annually.
The Weldon Amendment was renewed last month as part of the December government spending bills.
HHS noted this is not the first time California has been found to be violating federal statutes protecting freedom of conscience: “In January 2019, OCR found that California violated the Weldon and Coats-Snowe Amendments when it subjected pregnancy resource centers in the state to potential fines and discrimination for refusing to post notices referring for free or low-cost abortions.”
“Once again, President Trump’s administration is delivering on his promise to protect human life and all Americans’ freedom of conscience,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Under President Trump, HHS has been vigorously enforcing the statutes Congress passed to protect Americans’ consciences and institutionalizing these protections within the department’s civil rights work.”
Azar spoke at the Family Research Council’s annual ProLifeCon digital summit this morning, as he did last year.
“No one in America should be forced to pay for or cover other people’s abortions,” said Roger Severino, Director of OCR. “We are putting California on notice that it must stop forcing people of good will to subsidize the taking of human life, not only because it’s the moral thing to do, but because it’s the law.”
In August 2019, OCR also found that the Univesity of Vermont Medical Center (UVMC) violated federal law by forcing a nurse to commit an abortion. HHS said it “repeatedly” sought cooperation from UVMMC, but it “refused” to change its policies, provide relevant documents, or produce witnesses.
UVMC was given 30 days to verify whether it will change its policies to comply with federal law and grant rules. Otherwise, it was informed, the case would be referred to HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for potential revocation of federal funds.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Pope Francis meets Mike Pence at Vatican as Trump attends March for Life

ROME , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Pope Francis welcomed U.S. vice president Mike Pence to the Vatican on Friday , in a meeting that highlighted the Trump administration ’ s alliance with the Catholic Church in matters of life and religious freedom .
Pence ’ s visit to the Vatican coincides with U.S. president Donald Trump ’ s presence at the January 24 March or Life in Washington , D.C. , the first time a U.S. president has attended the event .
“ I wanted to extend the warmest greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the vice president told Pope Francis through an interpreter during the visit .
In May 2017 , just six months after his election , President Trump visited the Vatican with First Lady Melania Trump , other members of the Trump family , and members of his new administration .
Trump ’ s 2017 audience with Pope Francis focused on their joint commitment to life and freedom of religion and conscience .
The Holy See Press Office did not release a statement on today ’ s meeting between Pope Francis and Mike Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such statements for visits by heads of state .
However , videos from today ’ s visit , which took place in the papal library of the Apostolic Palace , show a cordial meeting between the two .
The vice president was accompanied during the visit by Second Lady Karen Pence , U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich , former U.S. speaker of the House Newt Gingrich , and members of his office staff .
The vice president ’ s visit to the Vatican also comes just days after President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country , to be “ National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
” Pence stopped in Rome on his way back to the United States from Jerusalem , where he attended the Fifth World Holocaust Forum , which marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day .
His visit to the Vatican comes one week after the U.S. religious freedom ambassador , Sam Brownback , traveled to Rome for the launch of the January 14–15 “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the residence of Callista Gingrich .
The symposium brought together Christian , Jewish , and Muslim leaders in Rome “ to increase support for religious freedom around the world , ” Gingrich said at the launch .
The symposium was inspired by the 2018 document on “ Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together , ” a joint statement signed in Abu Dhabi last February by Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Azhar .
The document provoked controversy for stating that “ [ t ] he pluralism and the diversity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and language are willed by God in His wisdom , through which He created human beings.
” Allies to Catholics on life and religious freedom President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have been strong allies to Catholics on issues of life and religious freedom .
At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in 2017 , shortly after the election , Vice President Pence assured attendees that the Trump administration will defend the unborn and religious freedom .
Trump “ stands without apology for the sanctity of human life , ” said Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vulnerable : the aged , the infirm , and the unborn.
” Pence , a baptized Catholic who now identifies as evangelical , spoke fondly of his Catholic childhood and told diplomats , members of Congress , and Catholic priests and prelates at the annual gathering that being among them felt like “ coming home.
” Highlighting President Trump ’ s commitment to religious freedom at home and abroad , Pence assured them that “ protecting and promoting religious freedom is a foreign policy priority for this administration.
” In September 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president to host a United Nations meeting on religious freedom , telling the international body that America “ stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts.
” Joined at the U.N. meeting by Vice President Mike Pence , U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo , and various government officials and religious leaders , the president used his remarks to detail his administration ’ s efforts to promote religious liberty abroad and raise awareness of persecution .
Citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Muslims , President Trump said : “ These evil attacks are a wound on all humanity.
” Trump has also taken a strong stance against abortion from the time he was a candidate .
Confronting Hillary Clinton about the reality of partial-birth abortion during a 2016 debate , Trump said , “ [ R ] ipping the baby from the womb in the ninth month … is not okay.
” As president , Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups ( including International Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds , overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood , and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans .
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion , calling attention to Democrats ’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign .
Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers .
In addition , the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn ’ t a human right and promoting abstinence education .
Watch LifeSite ’ s full coverage of the 2020 March for Life .

The meeting highlighted the Trump administration’s alliance with the Catholic Church in matters of life and religious freedom.
ROME, January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Francis welcomed U.S. vice president Mike Pence to the Vatican on Friday, in a meeting that highlighted the Trump administration’s alliance with the Catholic Church in matters of life and religious freedom.
Pence’s visit to the Vatican coincides with U.S. president Donald Trump’s presence at the January 24 March or Life in Washington, D.C., the first time a U.S. president has attended the event.
“I wanted to extend the warmest greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump who so enjoyed his visit here,” the vice president told Pope Francis through an interpreter during the visit.
In May 2017, just six months after his election, President Trump visited the Vatican with First Lady Melania Trump, other members of the Trump family, and members of his new administration. Trump’s 2017 audience with Pope Francis focused on their joint commitment to life and freedom of religion and conscience.
The Holy See Press Office did not release a statement on today’s meeting between Pope Francis and Mike Pence, as its policy is to reserve such statements for visits by heads of state. However, videos from today’s visit, which took place in the papal library of the Apostolic Palace, show a cordial meeting between the two.
The vice president was accompanied during the visit by Second Lady Karen Pence, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Callista Gingrich, former U.S. speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and members of his office staff.
The vice president’s visit to the Vatican also comes just days after President Trump declared January 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country, to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.”
Pence stopped in Rome on his way back to the United States from Jerusalem, where he attended the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, which marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
His visit to the Vatican comes one week after the U.S. religious freedom ambassador, Sam Brownback, traveled to Rome for the launch of the January 14–15 “Abrahamic Faiths Initiative,” hosted at the residence of Callista Gingrich. The symposium brought together Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders in Rome “to increase support for religious freedom around the world,” Gingrich said at the launch.
The symposium was inspired by the 2018 document on “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” a joint statement signed in Abu Dhabi last February by Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Azhar.
The document provoked controversy for stating that “[t]he pluralism and the diversity of religions, color, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings.”
Allies to Catholics on life and religious freedom
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have been strong allies to Catholics on issues of life and religious freedom.
At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in 2017, shortly after the election, Vice President Pence assured attendees that the Trump administration will defend the unborn and religious freedom.
Trump “stands without apology for the sanctity of human life,” said Pence. “President Trump stands with the most vulnerable: the aged, the infirm, and the unborn.”
Pence, a baptized Catholic who now identifies as evangelical, spoke fondly of his Catholic childhood and told diplomats, members of Congress, and Catholic priests and prelates at the annual gathering that being among them felt like “coming home.”
Highlighting President Trump’s commitment to religious freedom at home and abroad, Pence assured them that “protecting and promoting religious freedom is a foreign policy priority for this administration.”
In September 2019, President Trump became the first U.S. president to host a United Nations meeting on religious freedom, telling the international body that America “stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts.”
Joined at the U.N. meeting by Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, and various government officials and religious leaders, the president used his remarks to detail his administration’s efforts to promote religious liberty abroad and raise awareness of persecution.
Citing deadly recent attacks on Catholics, Jews, and Muslims, President Trump said: “These evil attacks are a wound on all humanity.”
Trump has also taken a strong stance against abortion from the time he was a candidate.
Confronting Hillary Clinton about the reality of partial-birth abortion during a 2016 debate, Trump said, “[R]ipping the baby from the womb in the ninth month … is not okay.”
As president, Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups (including International Planned Parenthood Federation), banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds, overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood, and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans.
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion, calling attention to Democrats’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign. Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers.
In addition, the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations, from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn’t a human right and promoting abstinence education.
Watch LifeSite’s full coverage of the 2020 March for Life.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-24--Watch President Trump’s full speech at 2020 March for Life

WASHINGTON , D.C. , January 24 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Pro-life activists from countless backgrounds across the United @ @ @ @ @ of Washington , D.C. today for the annual March for Life , where President Donald @ @ @ @ @ president to attend and speak at the event .
President Trump addressed the March for @ @ @ @ @ Read the transcript of the president 's full speech here .
You can watch a @ @ @ @ @ coverage of the entire March for Life right here : Wednesday was the 47th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court decision , which , along with its sister case Doe v. Bolton , @ @ @ @ @ the nation in 1973 .
At least 60 million preborn children have been slaughtered over @ @ @ @ @ The theme of this year ’ s March is Life Empowers : Pro-Life is Pro-Woman @

President Donald Trump is the first U.S. president to attend and speak at the event.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Pro-life activists from countless backgrounds across the United States are marching the streets of Washington, D.C. today for the annual March for Life, where President Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to attend and speak at the event.
President Trump addressed the March for Life rally at 12:15 P.M.
Here is President Trump's full speech:
Read the transcript of the president's full speech here.
You can watch a replay of EWTN's live coverage of the entire March for Life right here:
Wednesday was the 47th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which, along with its sister case Doe v. Bolton, imposed abortion on demand across the nation in 1973. At least 60 million preborn children have been slaughtered over the last 47 years.
The theme of this year’s March is Life Empowers: Pro-Life is Pro-Woman.
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