Of particular note are buses organized by Ann Gilmartin (Astoria), St. Francis DeSales Church (by a parish leader, Far Rockaway), Tom Kearns (St. Matthias, Ridgewood), along with other Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, parishes. Cathy Donohoe (Holy Family) had TWO busses instead of one, and there was also a busload from St. John’s University, Jamaica. Chris Rada, Coordinator of Marriage, Family Life, and Respect Life Education, for the Diocese, coordinated the availability of three other buses—one leaving fro Brooklyn and two from Queens. The Tablet published contact telephone numbers for several weeks extending an invitation to all to attend the March.
The above efforts helped produce exceptional results. Estimated participation (including persons from many states across the United States) was about one-half million persons. Great enthusiasm and support for Respect for Life abounded. For the first time in the March’s history, a Vice President of the United States attended and spoke about the foundational principle in the U.S. Constitution of the Right to Life. Other key speakers included Representative Chris Smith; Jeanne Mancini, March for Life; Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life of America; and Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to President Donald Trump. Cardinal Wuerl, USCCB, along with many other Bishops and leaders of many faiths participated in this outstanding demonstration for the respect and preservation of all Life.
Optimism could be felt that there is hope that Roe v. Wade will be invalidated and that a Culture of Life will prevail for all. Let us pray—and participate in this special time in American history.