By Mary Anne Buchanan
West Virginians for Life held its annual Pro-Life Rally Day on Monday, February 13, in the lower rotunda of the State Capitol in Charleston.
A day when attendees are encouraged to visit their legislators, the post-Roe crowd was exuberant. Pro-life men, women, and children of all ages came to show support for the Women’s Right to Know Act (SB 552) and the Support for Mothers and Babies Act (HB 2002).
The main event was the noon Rally where Governor Justice was unable to make an appearance, but his Senior Advisor Larry Pack made supportive remarks. Unable to be in two places simultaneously, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey made a four-minute video which was shared via a flat-screen tv. Because of a couple of recent lawsuits dealing with our issue, it was important that the crowd hear AG Morrisey say that he is ready to defend against those suits.
State Treasurer Riley Moore also spoke. He said, in part, “We have made tremendous strides in the past few years to protect the lives of the unborn, and it’s been with the help of passionate citizens who show up, speak out, and stand up for life. We will never stop in fight to protect and defend the rights of the unborn.”
Crowd favorite Delegate Caleb Hanna reminded them that “We promised to deliver on legislation post-Roe and we did with the Unborn Child Protection Act!” This met with loud applause and shouts of affirmation.
Thirty lawmakers attended and took to the microphone as time allowed.
Special music added much to the event.
One school group visited with their local senator and another helped man the various t-shirt and educational tables.
West Virginians for Life is currently engaged in an educational campaign called Abortion is Not Health Care. Thus, special t-shirts, sponsored by fifteen legislators, were handed out at the Rally.
Dr. Wanda Franz, WVFL president ended her remarks by quoting Mother Theresa, “Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.”
To see pictures from the successful day, click here.