5,000 Marching Despite -15 Degrees

“There is a message that has to be said: every life is a gift.” Cara, SFLI student, said as she prepared to march.On January 17, 2016, the wind chill was -15 degrees in Chicago, but that did not stop the March for Life Chicago. Despite the severe cold, attendance grew, again.Over the last 4 years, attendance has grown from 200 to 2,000, to 4,000 to 5,000!This year, 5,000 people came, stretching out over 5 full city blocks!Before marching, religious leaders, politicians and more spoke, proclaiming the dignity of life. -Keynote speaker, Melissa Ohden was born through a failed abortion and survived. Melissa said, “I am grateful to be alive...I stand here with you today and every single day marching for those who never have the opportunity to march.”  Following Ohden, SFLI student leader, Eareen Yambao, spoke:

“We live it. We see the pain of abortion on our generation and the generation before us. Today, we march towards a future where we don’t need abortion, where support for pregnant women is available, and where men stand up as fathers!”

Then SFLI students and staff, carrying the signature yellow umbrellas, led 5,000 people in the March for Life Chicago.Abby, a DePaul student and first time marcher, described it in one word: “invigorating!”The March for Life Chicago marched right into the news, with coverage by Reuters, ABC, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Yahoo News, and many more, reaching hundreds of thousands with the “message that has to be said: every life is a gift.”