Hundreds march for life in Hillsdale, Lansing

Home City News Hundreds march for life in Hillsdale, Lansing
Hundreds march for life in Hillsdale, Lansing
Pro-life marchers display signs. Andrew Dixon | Collegian

Pro-life Michiganders gathered across the state last week to voice their support for ending abortion.

In Hillsdale, event organizers made history with the town’s first ever March for Life. The national March for Life in Washington, D.C. was canceled due to concerns over recent political turmoil. Consequently, the annual trip by Hillsdale College for Life did not take place. In order to voice support for the pro-life cause, local event organizers planned the Hillsdale March for Life. 

The Hillsdale March for Life began on Friday by gathering in front of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in downtown Hillsdale. 

“We estimate that approximately 150 people joined the march last Friday. In addition to strong participation from Hillsdale College students, several local families attended the march,” Rich Moeggenberg, director of financial aid for Hillsdale College, said. “It was awesome to see so many people publicly show support for the unborn.” 

Morggenberg credited Laura Leutheuser from Hillsdale Right to Life, Olivia Manochio from Hillsdale College Students for Life, and Clare Kearns of the Catholic Society for planning the event. 

Freshman Faith Roys said the march had a good turnout, including students and families.

“We walked through town then circled the courthouse a few times. There were many families there as well as students from the college and local high school. We sang hymns as we walked and it sounded beautiful,” she said. “A student from the college led the march carrying a large crucifix and a lot of people had pro life signs.”

Roys said that there was some hostility towards the marchers, but that the event ended on a good note. 

“We had a few pro choice people scream at us from their vehicles but we just kept walking,” Roys said. “At the end we circled around the gazebo and the pastor from the college said a prayer for our cause and the unborn. Overall it was a great event and I am really glad I went.”

Another pro-life march was held in Lansing on Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Deemed the Roe v. Wade Memorial and March, it took place in front of the Michigan Capitol building. Organized by Ingham County Right to Life, the event drew roughly 1,000 demonstrators, despite the cold weather.

Ed Rivet, The President of Ingham County Right to Life, emceed the event. He began by inviting a long line of pro-life legislators to the front and thanking them all by name. Among the legislators was Rep. Andrew Fink.

“They were there to say, ‘We reject the Roe v. Wade decision as illegitimate and a violation of the human rights that our Declaration of Independence proclaims that come from our Creator, not from government,’” Rivet said. “Our speakers shared about the power and dignity of women, of life-giving options like adoption, about not giving into a spirit of defeat, and how young people are joining this movement and will carry it onward.”

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey gave a short speech in which he discussed the pro-life movement.

“We do our job day by day and we’re always on the alert for the opportunity for there to be a shift in thinking and a shift in hearts and a conversion of people,” Shirkey said to the crowd. “If you’re like me, these last four years I thought we were closely approaching that point in America. But God has a different idea. And maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t think America is ready yet. So our job is to continue the κρονος [kronos, or time] part of our obligation, and that is to continue to advocate for and call out the reality of this horrible, horrible disease that this country has embraced for far too many years. Do our job, reminding people of it in love and in grace.”

After the remarks, rallygoers marched and prayed over government buildings around the Capitol. Upon arrival back at the starting point, the marchers peacefully dispersed, some remaining to attend a Catholic prayer service.

Freshman Lauren Scott attended The Roe v. Wade Memorial and March with Hillsdale College for Life.

“I had the privilege to attend the Lansing March For Life this afternoon,” Scott said. “I wanted to go to support the sanctity of life and to be encouraged by fellow Americans who want to protect the most precious right that we have: the right to life. It was a beautiful thing to see a large group of people united by our love for the unborn and those who were never given a chance.”