Around 11 in the morning. People were gathering for the March, which was scheduled to begin at 1:00 following music, prayer and speakers at noon. It was on the verge of snow or rain - no one was sure which it would be.
St. Joseph's, Beltsville, MD.
This is what it's all about!
In an effort to take you there, I'm taking a lot of shots of signs so you can see where everyone's coming from.
Jim and Laurie Grumblatt and family. It's so great to see families. I have friends who remember their parents taking them each year. Think about bringing your family next time!
Reading Central Catholic - Reading, PA - part of a group of 54.
More Reading Catholic!
This begins a series shot from the press box before and during the music/prayer/speakers.
The fringes of the crowd - the march begins at the Washington Mall, so these are Smithsonian Museum buildings in the background.
From the rear of the press box. We were facing the speakers' podium, looking toward the Capitol Building. The Washington Mall is the huge strip of lawn between the Capitol and Washington Monument.
The program began with The Sounds of Liberty - a group from Liberty University that sings patriotic/spiritual music.
Groups wear the same color hats to keep track of each other. Lots of red.
It's certainly a different kind of march for Washington. They have so many protest marches with angry people - covered ad infinitum by the Washington Post. Guess this crowd is too happy for the Mainstream Media :)
Christendom College - and Ron Paul supporters, who were out in full force - in front of the old and the new. One of the original Smithsonian buildings and a new sculpture.
Listening to speakers. I found the picture of Ron Paul as a medical doctor saving Baby America somewhat strange. But maybe that's just me.
Love the iconic image.
Catch the little guy on the left. I think he was having the best time of anyone there.
Ready to defend, obviously.
Patient sister?
People look at you when you have a camera.
The speakers were still going when I left the press box to meet more people. These are part of a group of nine from Youth for Life in Naples, FL. The group has come since 1991, carrying this giant rosary since 1992.
It had started sprinkling. Balancing my umbrella, camera and steno pad, I was freezing. Then I saw these feet and decided things weren't so bad.
Friar Joseph from Lawrence, MA, who came down with a group of 50.
For those inclined to stereotype Pro-Lifers -
It was raining very lightly (but coldly!) and several people were holding their banner over these two joyous ladies who were dancing to some sort of salsa number.
I'm wandering around the fringes while the speakers are still presenting.
I came across a few hundred orange hats - seriously. Good Counsel High School from Olney, MD brought 350. They come every year.
From St. Benedict's in Donipan, MO.
From Delaware.
Go St. Francis de Sales! My parish, but I don't know many people there yet.
I'm gonna bring one of these next year - just in case.
It was 1:00 and I was freezing (forgot my gloves and hat - I just can't get away from 30 years of living in California), so ducked into a cafe for some coffee. Two tired marchers.
Another piece of art. This one made me think how nice it would be to erase Roe v. Wade!
I was walking down Constitution Avenue, hearing the Rev. Luke Robinson booming in the background (an amazing speaker - see my report on him last year at http://www.mommylife.net/archives/2007/02/abortion_and_af.html ). The Capitol Police were working to keep the marchers lining Constitution Avenue on the sidewalks in preparation for the March to begin.
This man was still mad about Vatican II and wanted to use this occasion to tell us.
What a neat family! Tom and Bonnie Mahala from Basking Ridge, NJ - with 6 of their 7 sons. Way to have a stake in the future!
This was only half the motorcycles congregated at this particular point on the parade route.
Good Counsel - At 350 strong, they were all over the place.
Right behind the beginning of the parade. There has been more and more emphasis on how abortion affects not only the mother but the father, parents and grandparents. With one in three women now having an abortion, there is hardly anyone who doesn't have a friend or family member whose life has been changed by abortion.
I had a great spot on a pillar about three feet high across the street from where the March turned onto Constitution Avenue on its way to the Supreme Court. I used my telephoto lens and just shot lots of pictures to show you what it was like. It took 75 minutes for the march to go by - a constant stream of people, as you will see. Hard to believe that the media seems to find this completely uninteresting. Enjoy!
Obama and Hillary fighting for who is most pro-abortion (remember that a few weeks ago?)
Feminists like to claim that the pro-life movement is all middle-aged, middle class white males. I dunno, but it sure seems like they are a minority here, doesn't it?
It was a joyful crowd, but once in a while the joy bubbled up into sheer exuberance with singing and dancing.
Where's Waldo?
This was the second time I spotted these two ladies - I'd seen them back on the Mall. They definitely won Classiest Coat competition!
Unicycling for life?
Best boots.
Wild boas.
Dad multitasks with cell phone
