Virginia March for Life and advocacy events provide opportunity for Her PLAN and others to envision a pro-life Commonwealth.
On April 22, thousands of pro-lifers gathered in Richmond for the 8th annual Virginia March for Life. Schools, families, churches, and organizations came from the far reaches of the Commonwealth to give witness to the gift of every life – both mom and baby.
This event comes as Virginians prepare to vote on an amendment this November that would enshrine all-trimester abortion for any reason in the state constitution. The amendment does not protect babies born alive after failed abortions, jeopardizes the current parental consent law, and could threaten pregnancy centers who do not offer abortion.
The pre-march rally began with motivational speeches and prayers by speakers from various backgrounds including religious leaders, state representatives, and pro-life organizations. Mayra Rodriguez, a former Planned Parenthood facility manager in Arizona who became a whistle-blower on the abuses she witnessed there, gave the keynote speech. Rodriguez is now a vocal pro-life advocate. “Today, we march because there are children who will never get the chance to,” said Rodriguez. “And women deserve better.”
Thousands of pro-lifers march through downtown Richmond giving witness to the gift of every life, both mom and baby. Her PLAN Virginia Coordinator Daniela Simmons and Communications Writer Emily Pugsley marched alongside members of Her Community Leesburg and Her Community Warrenton.
After the march, Her PLAN presented at Virginia Beyond Abortion, a panel and teach-in event sponsored by Virginia for Preborn Justice. Other speakers included Secular Pro Life, a pro-life psychiatrist, and a pro-life Democrat who all spoke on what a Virginia beyond abortion looks like and how it can be achieved. Virginia Coordinator Daniela Simmons opened the panel by saying a Virginia beyond abortion “is a Virginia where every woman and every mom has the specific resources and support she needs to sustain her choice for life.”
Panelists discussed building a broad coalition of non-traditional pro-lifers and pro-choice allies who do not support unrestricted access to abortion. Key to this approach – and the entire pro-life movement – is increased education on the dangers of abortion drugs. Abortion activists proudly proclaim to break the law by mailing these dangerous abortion drugs into pro-life states. Panelists discussed the physical risk of the drugs, the trauma women face from surviving the abortion drug, and how domestic abusers can yield abortion drugs as yet another means of control.
“[The abortion drug] takes abortion from a brick-and-mortar facility to her bedroom,” said Simmons. “It isolates her not only from her family but her friends and her community and puts her in a place where the support that she may have is completely gone.”
After the panel discussion, panelists and other leaders hosted ‘teach in’ sessions to give attendees advice on how to practice different types of advocacy. Simmons and Virginia for Preborn Justice Co-Founder Dana DiMattia gave resources and practical tips on how to host a supply drive for local pregnancy centers or sidewalk giveaway events of material goods in public community spaces.
The Virginia March for Life and adjacent public advocacy events may be over, but the work of the pro-life safety net continues. Her Community Leesburg is strengthening resources and developing new solutions to help abortion-vulnerable moms. This includes a transportation fund established at a local Christian ministry to cover car repair and maintenance costs for moms being served by other pro-life safety net organizations. Together, the community is keeping these moms on the road. Her Community Warrenton officially kicks off on May 7 with community coalitions of public officials, churches, charities, business and individuals formed to meet the needs of abortion-vulnerable women in their neighborhoods. Local leaders can expect workshops with Simmons to evaluate assets and gaps in their local pro-life safety net and develop solutions to fill identified gaps.
Regardless of the outcome of the November election, local leaders in Leesburg, Warrenton, and beyond will continue to provide abortion-vulnerable moms with crucial support and help them become the moms they want to be. This is what a Virginia beyond abortion looks like: moms who will not face their situation alone and are instead met with neighbors who will walk beside them every step of the way.
Local to Leesburg? Her Community Leesburg will be hosting a car maintenance day for abortion-vulnerable moms on May 30. Contact Virginia Coordinator Daniela Simmons to volunteer or show your support.
