This past weekend, members of Saint Louis University’s Students for Life organization braved winter weather to go to Washington, D. C., to participate in the annual March for Life. Opponents of abortion gathered in protest on Monday, Jan. 23, the 28th anniversary of the controversial Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.

Marchers from a wide variety of religions and pro-life groups united in Washington. Angela Chierek, president of Students for Life, said, “The whole march was an excellent witness against abortion.”

Janelle Decker, a freshman marcher, thought that the march was an excellent chance to peacefully demonstrate her convictions alongside supporters from around the country. She said, “I liked the marching, and it was fun to see the national support for our cause.”

Chierek considered the march a success, but the group did encounter some trouble reaching their destination.

Heavy snowfall on Saturday prevented the marchers from reaching Washington on schedule. The students stayed overnight in the dorms of Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia.

Phil Hurley, S.J., a scholastic who attended the march, said, “The graciousness and hospitality of the community at Wheeling is a witness to the ability of Jesuit schools to work together for causes such as life.”

The perserverence of the students also impressed Hurley. “Despite the hassles and inconveniences of a 14-hour drive and the snow, I heard little to no complaining. That just shows the high level of the students’ commitment,” he said.

Decker echoed Hurley’s sentiment. She said, “All those people spent so much money and time to be there. If all people could just devote that same effort toward helping a crisis pregnancy center, [the results] would be amazing.”

Pro-life students from Fontbonne College, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary and Washington University also joined the SLU trip.

President George W. Bush also used the occasion to assert his anti-abortion stance. In a statement issued to the pro-life marchers, Bush announced that he was going to reinstate an executive order that prevented the federal government from providing funding to international groups that promote abortion.

Chierek said that Bush’s action demonstrated the type of change abortion opponents wanted.

Pro-choice activists were highly critical of the move, however. They regard it as an attempt to limit the availability of abortions abroad that would be illegal if it was imposed in the United States.