Thousands of protesters journeyed to Washington last weekend to show support for women's rights, including the right to abortion access. On Friday, thousands of others will march the same ground in support of ending abortion access.
The 44th March for Life will take place on the National Mall later this week. Jacob Hoback and Maddie Davidson, two members of Bobcats for Life, will be among the demonstrators.
"It's my first time (going), and I'm really excited," Davidson, the treasurer of Bobcats for Life, said. "I'm also a little nervous because I've heard it can be very emotional."
Hoback, the president and founder of Bobcats for Life, said this is the third time he will participate in the March for Life.
"I think the March for Life is important and encouraging," he said. "We are fighting against a culture of death. To get together and unite encourages us to work hard and fight back."
Hoback and Davidson will travel to Washington with the Columbus-based group Created Equal and stay in Maryland from Thursday to Sunday in order to attend the march and a religious conference Saturday. Hoback said Created Equal covered most of the costs, so he and Davidson will pay $25 each for the weekend.
Hoback was not sure how many other Ohio University students would be going but expects a great turnout in Washington. Paul Riffon, the campus minister for the Catholic Parishes of Athens, said student interest was not as high this year.
"I went last year, but I'm not going this year," Riffon said. "It's a scheduling thing. The March for Life got pushed back a week later than usual because of the inauguration, and I couldn't go this weekend."
For Hoback, having a new president in the White House means more than just some scheduling changes for the march.
"The attitude during the march is going to be different than last year, because we have a pro-life president, a pro-life Senate and pro-life House (of Representatives)," Hoback said.
He added that President Donald Trump's actions so far have been encouraging.
"We saw (earlier this week) with the defunding of international abortion providers that the tide is turning," Hoback said.
One speaker who will address the crowds Friday is Kellyanne Conway, Trump's campaign manager and now counselor to the president. Other government officials speaking will include Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Reps. Mia Love, R-Utah, and Chris Smith, R-New Jersey.
"I'm glad what the new administration has done so far," Davidson said. "It's a good measure for the pro-life movement."
