March for Life rally in DC attended by thousands, including VP Vance

March for Life rally in DC attended by thousands, including VP Vance

What originally started as a one-time event on Jan. 22, 1974, the first anniversary of the legalization of abortion, has grown into an annual event with tens of thousands of abortion rights opponents coming to the nation’s capital to make their voices heard.

Now, nearly three years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, the 52nd annual March for Life featured not only the march, but live music, appearances by Vice President JD Vance, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and a video message from President Donald Trump.

Trump vowed to support anti-abortion-rights protesters in his second term as tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in Washington on Friday for the annual March for Life.

“We will again stand proudly for families and for life,” Trump declared in a prerecorded video address.

With Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans in control of Congress, the activists want to build on their victories.

“Our country faces the return of the most pro-family, most pro-life American president of our lifetimes,” Vice President JD Vance told the crowd in his in-person speech.

WTOP spoke to some of those who drove into the city and others that traveled from across the country to attend the rally.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

People participating in the annual March for Life, walk from the Washington Monument to the Supreme Court, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
People participating in the annual March for Life, walk from the Washington Monument to the Supreme Court, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Washington.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Members of a group calling themselves Patriot Front, rally near the Washington Monument and near the March for Life rally on the National Mall, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
People participating in the annual March for Life, walk from the Washington Monument to the Supreme Court, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Washington.(AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Anti-abortion activists walk past the Supreme Court in the annual March for Life, in Washington, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Jimmy Alexander

Jimmy Alexander has been a part of the D.C. media scene as a reporter for DC News Now and a long-standing voice on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. Now, Alexander brings those years spent interviewing newsmakers like President Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney and Sean Connery, to the WTOP Newsroom.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up