Thousands gather for Virginia March for Life

Citizens and legislators gathered on Wednesday to advocate against state bills and laws enabling abortions. The march began with an 11 a.m. rally at the state capitol building’s bell tower in Richmond. Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears spoke to demonstrators and quoted Mother Teresa by asking, “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.” Liberty University President Dondi Costin recited a section of Psalm 139, reminding the crowd that every child is “fearfully and wonderfully made” before birth. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also attended the rally alongside the Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael Burbidge and Diocese of Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout. The march commenced at noon after the rally near Capitol Square.

Were there counter-protests? An individual waving a transgender flag was seen pushing through a group of protesters near the end of the rally. The incident was caught on video by a bystander. That person was later seen in hand restraints and escorted away from the march by security.

What kind of laws does Virginia have around abortion? State law currently allows abortions through the second trimester. State legislators are now considering an amendment to legally protect abortion under the state’s constitution. The state House also passed several abortion “shield” statutes to committees for discussion last week, including:

• HB 1539 - A “safe haven” bill that prohibits state officials from extraditing a person in Virginia who has committed abortion-related crimes in another state.

• HB 519 - A bill to shield licensed Virginia doctors from being punished by the state Board of Medicine for performing abortions in states where the procedure is illegal.

• HB 609 - A bill to establish a presumed right to contraceptive drugs and devices–including those that cause abortions–with no religious exemptions for medical workers.

Dig deeper: Read my report with Lauren Canterberry on last month’s national March for Life in Washington, D.C.