I felt like a parent who brought her children to a rock concert; everyone was young there. It was loud, joyful, full of rock songs blaring, singing, drum banging, camera phones flashing, texting, tweeting, bright yellow balloons, congo line dancing and full of teenagers and young people having fun. Taylor Swift concert? No.
I was at the Chicago March for Life.
Sunday’s pro life march and rally in Chicago marked the 41st Anniversary of the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in the United States. It was a typical frigid January day when pro life folks gathered at the Kluczynski Federal plaza to hear speeches and march five blocks over to the James R. Thompson State of Illinois Center for more speeches, dancing and music. The crowd was overwhelming young, joyous, and respectful.
Throughout the crowd, was a sea of yellow balloons inscribed with the word LIFE carried proudly by teens and college students. With teens and young people dominating the crowd, it can only be described as a pep rally for life.
The walk to the State of Illinois plaza was equally joyful and fun despite the cold and snow. Moms and Dads with their children and babies in strollers enjoying a walk for life while teenagers sang, laughed, and cheered along the route.
There has been a sea change in the pro life movement. You can feel it; you can see it. The young generation has taken over and they are proudly pro life. These young people are happy, righteous, unapologetic, and exuberant. Perhaps, they are happy because they know they are the lucky ones to be born and survive, post Roe v. Wade. Perhaps, this is the joy that comes from embracing the truth. Their joy is palpable.
The photos from the event reflect the reality of a new generation that has come alive. They will not be denied their voice.
It is cool to be pro-life.
The huge yellow balloons inscribed with LIFE were soaring past the windows of the James R. Thompson State of Illinois Building. The glass encased spaceship-looking Helmut Jahn structure houses the State of Illinois government offices. I saw a few balloons get stuck in the windows. I only hope that Governor Pat Quinn,the abortion supporting “catholic” chief executive of Illinois walks into his 16th floor office, looks out the window and sees LIFE staring back at him.
That would rock.