SOUTH BEND — Negative 5-degree weather with a true feel of negative 15 didn’t stop Right to Life Michiana from holding its annual March for Life event in downtown South Bend.
The event kicked off at 11:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 533 E. Washington St. Michiana Right to Life Executive Director Antonio Marchi said the march has been going on for decades and typically coincides with the week Roe v. Wade was decided Jan. 22, 1973.
Despite having a smaller turnout than last year’s event, which had almost 500 participants, Marchi said no matter the season, Right to Life stands steadfastly to uphold the dignity of life.
“We’ll have a much smaller crew here, but the heart is still strong and our convictions are equally strong,” Marchi said.
In the Knights of Columbus, South Bend residents Kevin and Jenna Bauer spoke against abortion, the medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy, with the crowd, particularly against the termination of children like their daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was born with Down syndrome.
It’s been estimated that 60% to 90% of children with Down syndrome are aborted, according to a study done by University of South Carolina professors. The Bauer family now tries to protect the existence of other individuals like their daughter through sharing their story, Jenna said.
“Our message today was we love Mary Elizabeth with our entire being, and we will advocate for Down syndrome awareness and other chromosomal abnormalities until the day we leave this Earth,” Jenna said.
Priests from St. Monica Catholic Church in Mishawaka and Family Bible Church in Granger led the crowd of about 50 people through prayer before the march began at noon, when the crowd laced up their snow boots and zipped up their winter coats to head west toward Main Street before turning around and heading back to Knights of Columbus.
Honks of support and shouts of opposition were heard from passing cars as the group marched.
Mother and South Bend resident Jennifer Miller and her 12-year-old daughter, Marisol Miller, were among the few bracing the cold. Jennifer said she attended her first March for Life in Washington, D.C., when she was in seventh grade and wants her daughter to be aware of the things she wasn’t.
“I brought my daughter because she has seen and will see that abortion affects our whole community and that the laws actually matter,” Jennifer said. “It matters how we take care of people, especially those that are must vulnerable.”
The march concluded with hugs and prayers goodbye once all participates had made it back safely to the Knights of Columbus. No counter protesters were present.
The conclusion of the event also marked the end of the organization’s “Stuff-a-Truck” fundraiser. Participates were encouraged to bring maternal and baby care items, which will be distributed to pregnancy centers throughout the South Bend area.
Individuals who would still like to donate items can deliver them to the Right to Life Michiana’s office at 2004 Ironwood Circle, Suite 130.
Email Tribune staff writer Jessica Velez at jvelez@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Right to Life Michiana holds annual March for Life event downtown
Reporting by Jessica Velez, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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