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First post-Roe March For Life draws hundreds to Indianapolis

By Darian Benson, IPB News | Published on in Government, Health, Politics
Hundreds of abortion rights opponents gathered in Indianapolis Tuesday, marching through downtown Indianapolis and gathering for a rally at the Statehouse. - Darian Benson/WFYI News
Jan. 22 would have marked the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade – the landmark United States Supreme Court decision that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion. The annual March For Life takes place on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and this year’s march was the first since the court overturned Roe last June.

Hundreds of abortion rights opponents gathered in Indianapolis Tuesday, marching through downtown Indianapolis and gathering for a rally at the Statehouse.

Life Church pastor Micah Beckwith said he wants to see more anti-abortion legislation in Indiana and across the country. Indiana passed a near-total abortion ban in August, but that law is on hold due to legal challenges.

“We got to make sure all 50 states are moving towards making sure that abortion is not only unthinkable, but also legislatively we got to hold people accountable for pushing that and we want to see life flourish all around the nation,” Beckwith said.

Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter told the crowd that he supports a stricter abortion ban in Indiana and wants abortion banned across the country.

“Roe had to fall, we wanted it to fall. That gave us the opportunity to come down here and do stuff in Indiana,” he said. “But  they did not extend constitutional protection to unborn children across the board.”

Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliott said he supports a ban on abortion and believes the state should offer assistance to mothers and children, including financial support.

“I think that’s really important, that we get out there and we help mothers as well as children,  adoption programs, the whole nine yards,” Elliott said. “Really, it’s a comprehensive approach.”

Indianapolis resident Lisa Hughes attended the rally. She said she agrees abortion should be banned and that women should have more support.

“We can help women and support them, we don’t have to hurt each other,” Hughes said. “Every human life has a purpose and a reason. And whether that life is inside a womb or outside of the womb, it has a purpose. That child has a purpose.”

Lutheran High School of Indianapolis student Rebecca attended the rally with friends. She held a sign that read “I am the Pro-Life Generation.”

“We know that life is precious, and people have purpose and have so much potential with their lives and to see that taken away – it breaks our generation,” she said.

Contact reporter Darian Benson at dbenson@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @HelloImDarian