Thousands of individuals who oppose abortion rights gathered in Washington on Friday for the yearly March for Life, braving the falling snow. Speakers encouraged the passionate attendees to continue advocating for the movement’s recent success in the Supreme Court and to persist in their efforts until abortion is eradicated.

In the lead-up to a presidential election that may be significantly impacted by the issue of abortion, individuals who oppose abortion gathered in large numbers on the National Mall, holding signs advocating for the value of life and declaring themselves part of the pro-life movement. Following speeches, the group marched through the freezing weather past the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court. A smaller group stood in front of the Court, playing a drum and repeating the chant, “Every person you know was once an embryo.”

The March for Life on Friday is the second occurrence of this event in the capital city since the Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2022 which removed federal protection for abortion rights as established in Roe v. Wade. The previous march in the previous year was a success, as organizers eagerly embraced the ongoing battle in state legislatures across the nation.

The Dobbs ruling, which reversed Roe v. Wade, was commended by the speakers. They emphasized the importance of continuing to push lawmakers to pass stricter laws on abortion, especially in the current climate.

According to Benjamin Watson, a former NFL player and now an advocate against abortion, while the Roe v. Wade decision may be settled, our culture still lacks the ability to properly support and value life. Despite the ruling, the underlying issues that lead women to consider abortions continue to be prevalent and even on the rise. Though Roe v. Wade is no longer in effect, abortion remains legal and widespread in many parts of America.

The event on Friday seemed to be smaller compared to previous years due to difficult travel conditions caused by ice and snow. However, the audience was enthusiastic as various speakers, including members of Congress and Michigan University’s Football Coach Jim Harbaugh, encouraged attendees to continue advocating for the idea of abortion becoming “unthinkable.”

“Let us find courage, persevere, and have faith that we can unite and create a significant impact,” stated Louisiana House Speaker Mike Johnson. “We have the ability to support every woman and every child, and ultimately establish a society that values and safeguards life.”

As the speeches continued, the snow came down in a heavy flurry. Behind the stage, the youth were busy constructing snowmen and engaging in snowball fights. Meanwhile, closer to the Capitol, the crowd rejoiced and a group on the balcony of the Cannon House Office Building cheered on the march.

Stephanie Simpson, a 42-year-old grocery store employee from Cleveland, almost decided not to come due to the forecast. However, she was pleasantly surprised by the amazing turnout at the last four marches.

Roberto Reyes, a Mexican citizen and member of the Carmelite religious order, stated, “This year’s march will be a memorable experience that will stay with these individuals for a lifetime!”

The crowd’s description of overturning Roe v. Wade was seen as a triumph, but they also acknowledged that the battle against abortion continues.

Bishop Michael Burbidge, who serves as the chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee for pro-life activities, emphasized that our efforts are still needed this year.

The progress of the movement has been a combination of successes and failures. The decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization returned the power of creating abortion laws to individual states, resulting in 14 states implementing bans on abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Two additional states have halted their bans due to court orders. Two other states have enacted bans that are triggered by the detection of cardiac activity, typically occurring at around six weeks of pregnancy – a time when many women are unaware of their pregnancy.

However, there have been instances where abortion restrictions have been rejected by voters in Ohio, Kansas, and Kentucky. In addition, complete bans on abortion have sparked significant support for those who advocate for abortion rights. An example of this is Kate Cox, a mother from Texas with two children. She discovered that the baby she was carrying had a fatal genetic disorder and sought an abortion. Despite her plea for an exemption from Texas’ strict ban, the state Supreme Court denied her request. As a result, she left Texas to obtain an abortion in another location.

Organizers of the movement are anticipating that abortion rights will become a prominent rallying point for the Democratic Party in President Joe Biden’s bid for reelection.

“The issue of abortion is a major focus for pro-abortion advocates,” stated Susan Swift, who leads Pro-Life Legal and has a long history of advocating against abortion. “It appears to be one of the main topics that energizes their supporters.”

The Biden campaign has made it clear that they aim to link Biden to the efforts to protect abortion rights.

Kamala Harris, the Vice President, has taken the lead in addressing this issue for the White House. On Monday, she will be hosting the first event in Wisconsin, coinciding with the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the lawsuit that resulted in the groundbreaking 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion.

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Alanna Durkin Richer, a writer for the Associated Press, wrote from Boston. David Crary, a national writer for AP, contributed to this report from New York.