Early in the morning on Thursday, Jan. 21, 67 students representing Creighton Students for Life set out toward Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual March for Life.
The March commemorates the 1973 decision made in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case, which gave women the legal option of abortions under their right to privacy as granted by the 14th Amendment.
The event brings thousands of students, Church groups, religious life and other concerned parties together to peacefully protest for the right to life for all persons. Top priorities include banning abortion and defunding Planned Parenthood.
Creighton’s tradition of sending students to the March, made possible through funding offered by a private donor, has grown substantially in the past few years. According to alumni and CSFL president Michael Boes, just two years ago there were only two people on the March. Last year that number grew to 38, and this year a total of 67 students participated.
“Seeing how we’ve been able to strengthen our mission, and seeing how the Creighton campus has responded so positively is just awesome,” Boes said. “This trip has been the culmination of a lot of hard work, and seeing it pay off is the best thing ever.”
The Creighton students who participated are motivated by a concern for life at all stages.
“To be pro-life is to respect all humans,” said College of Nursing sophomore and CSFL community outreach coordinator Kara Harvey. “Both women and men have to be upheld in their inherent dignity from birth to natural death.”
The event began with a rally that featured pro-life speakers and performances. Slam poetry, personal testimonies from former Planned Parenthood employees and mothers who had abortions and even a speech by Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina were among the presentations given at the rally.
The speeches revolved around the theme for the 2016 march, “Pro-Life and Pro-Woman go hand in hand.” This theme spoke to the belief that to be pro-life and anti-abortion is to support and embrace the ability of a woman to bear children, rather than to limit or degrade her motherly role, as individuals like Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst expressed.
“Many of those fighting against us claim that our efforts to defend and protect life at all stages constitute a war on women,” Ernst said. “I reject that.”
Following the rally, the peaceful protestors began their mile-long march from the Washington Monument to the steps of the Supreme Court. They carried signs bearing phrases such as, “I am the pro-life generation,” and “Stop Abortion Now.” Marches sang, cheered, improvised pro-life lyrics the lyrics to popular songs and some prayed the rosary
Just as the Creighton group began its trek though, the snow began to fall. It kept up during the entire march, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the group’s spirit.
“The March for Life is so important to attend regardless of any unfortunate weather because it shows how passionate people are about promoting a culture of life,” College of Nursing sophomore and CSFL treasurer Mary Roller said. “And if we don’t come despite the hardships, who will?”
March participant and Heider College of Business senior Joey Bastian who carried a Creighton flag to identify the group during the March also could not be disheartened.
“If you’re adaptable, there’s no situation that’s going to bring you down,” Bastian said.
However despite their optimism though, the snow did create some complications. In fact, the group found itself in the middle of Winter Storm Jonas, a massive snowstorm system that made its way across the East Coast.
The winter storm resulted in early shutdown of businesses and transportation. Several events surrounding the March for Life were canceled altogether and many school groups making the trip to the District actually ventured home early in the hopes of avoiding getting stranded.
Creighton’s group made the most of the situation, making sure to stock up on essential groceries before the storm hit and even hosting its own impromptu Students for Life conference while stuck inside their hotel on Saturday afternoon.
“The conference was a very clever way to make the most of the situation,” College of Arts and Sciences freshman Samantha Ochs said.
The Rev. John Shea, S.J., who joined the students on their trip, was even able to offer a makeshift Mass at the hotel on Saturday. In his homily he asked students to reflect upon the motivation with which they embarked upon their trip and how the unforeseen circumstances played into that mission.
“We have to ask ourselves how this blizzard is a gift,” Shea said.
Originally scheduled to fly back into Omaha on Sunday afternoon, the group’s flight was canceled even before the snow began falling in anticipation of the dangerous weather conditions. The flight was rescheduled for Monday evening.
In the end, the group returned with two reasons to remember its trip: Apart from surviving Winter Storm Jonas, the participants were able to support a cause dear to their hearts and represent Creighton in the effort to extend the right to life – especially to the unborn.