The first Michigan March for Life was Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the State Capitol. It was an opportunity for Michiganders of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the pro-life movement.
View: March photos from the Diocese of Grand Rapids (Facebook)
More than 300 Catholic students, parishioners, clergy and religious from our diocese joined Bishop Walkowiak and thousands of others in Lansing to stand up and be a voice for the voiceless. Nov. 8, 2022 was a tragic day for our state with the passing of Proposal 3. November 8, 2023 was a hopeful day as we witnessed thousands marching to let our legislators know that we will continue to #FightLikeHeaven until all have the right to life.
Read: Still marching: Thousands from across the state rally in first Michigan March for Life (Nov. 8, Detroit Catholic)
The event included a pre-rally concert and rally in front of the Capitol.
Several individuals spoke powerfully in defense of life including Keynote Speaker Genecia Davis, founder of Black Girls for Life. Genecia shared her personal story of abortion and her subsequent path to peace. Additional speakers included Bishop Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing; Barb Listing, president of Right to Life of Michigan; Jeannie Mancini, president of National March for Life; Mildred Parker-Miller, long-time advocate for life, who spent 34 years working in the foster care and adoption system in Detroit; Dr. Michelle Monticello, OB-GYN, co-medical director for Life Choices of Central Michigan, and State Senator Thomas Albert.
The national March for Life organization has begun to organize these state marches as legislative action moves to the state level. One of the goals of this year’s State March was to capture the attention of lawmakers and their staffs by hosting the rally and march on a day when they are in session.
