Parishioners at a Howard County church will be staging a peaceful demonstration against abortion at today?s annual March for Life in Washington.
“It?s to support the respect for life and an attempt to convince the legislators in Washington, and really the country, how important it is to respect all human life,” said the Rev. Lawrence Adamczyk, an associate pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ellicott City.
The March?s theme this year is, “Build Unity on the Life Principles throughout America. No Exception! No Compromise!”
March for Life, a nonprofit organization, held its first march in 1974, the year after the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
Marches have grown from a several thousand during its early years to an average of more than 200,000 people over the last several years, according to the organization.
In previous trips to Washington for the annual march, Adamczyk marveled at the overwhelming support for the cause.
“The most amazing thing is when you get to the top of a hill, and when you look down at all the thousands of people behind you,” he said.
More than 35 church members are expected to board a bus this morning and will attend a youth rally and Mass at the Verizon Center before the actual march begins, Adamczyk said.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington hosts the annual event, and it is attended by about 20,000 young people.
The church is not distributing any signs for parishioners to carry, but some people do bring their own, he said.
The march starts at the Ellipse of the National Mall and heads down Constitution Avenue, where it will come to an end at the Supreme Court building.
