The annual March for Life drew scores of people to downtown D.C. on Friday. News4’s Derrick Ward heard some women’s personal stories about abortion.
President Donald Trump sought to assure opponents of abortion rights on Friday that he stands with them and would veto any legislation from a Democratic-controlled House that "weakens the protection of human life."
Trump spoke via video to participants at this year's March for Life on the National Mall. Thousands of people across the country braved the cold to attend the event.
"As president, I will always defend the first right in our Declaration of Independence, the right to life," Trump said.
Pro-life activists gathered on the National Mall on Friday for the 46th annual March For Life, which marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Some young people attending said they wanted to be able to speak up and think this year could be a turning point in their efforts.
Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle highlighted legislative efforts on the abortion issue ahead of Friday's march.
Some Democratic lawmakers in the House held a news conference last week to note their support for ending a ban of Medicaid funding for abortion services known as the Hyde Act. The Republican-led Senate failed to advance a measure that would permanently prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion. Trump said he supported that effort.
News4’s Adam Tuss takes a look at road closures during the March for Life on Friday and the Women’s March on Saturday.
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who attended the event, listed actions the administration has taken over the past two years to deter abortions.
Trump noted that the administration has ensured foreign aid doesn't flow to organizations that promote abortion. Pence credited Trump with nominating conservative judges to the federal bench. Trump also said that he had just sent a letter to members of Congress reiterating his veto threat on legislation weakening abortion restrictions.
"And we have the support to uphold those vetoes," Trump said.
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, USA - JANUARY 27: Pro-Life demonstrators try to block Pro-Choice supporters in front of the Supreme Court during the annual March for Life on the anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling in Washington, USA on January 27, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
A file photo of 2017's protest, pictured above, which attracted a large crowd.
Getty Images
An anti-abortion advocate participates in the 2017 March for Life.
Getty Images
Anti-abortion advocates participate in a "die-in" demonstration on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, Jan. 27, 2017, in Washington.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Despite the onset of a serious snow storm, hundreds participate in the 43rd annual March for Life in Washington, on Jan. 22, 2016.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
More protests weathered a 2016 snow storm during that year's March for Life.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
In this file photo, pro-life activists participate in the annual March for Life as they march up Constitution Avenue Jan. 22, 2015, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Sisters of Life from New York carry a sign depicting Jesus Christ as thousands of pro-life protesters make their way past the U.S. Capitol for the annual anti-abortion "March for Life" on Jan. 22, 2015, in Washington.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Pro-life activists participate in the annual March for Life in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 22, 2014, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Colette Star, second from left, and Angelica Bratcher, second from right, with St. John Cantius in Chicago, joins thousands of people in the 41st annual March for Life, commemorating the Roe vs. Wade ruling on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014.
Michael Williamson / The Washington Post via Getty Images
Participants pray in mass during the March for Life in Washington, DC on Jan. 25, 2013. It was a special prayer for the march founder, Nellie Gray.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
Anne Marie Holter, left, of Gilbert, Arizona, and Jessica Ingstrum of Chandler, Arizona attend the March for Life on Jan. 25, 2013, in Washington.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Caroline Moore, left, and Brynn Morales of Ellicott City, Md., join a rally on the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, during the annual March For Life demonstration.
Alex Brandon/AP
The crowd gathers and holds signs at the start of an anti-abortion rally on the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Jan. 24, 2011.
AP
Anti-abortion supporters and abortion rights supporters stand in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, during the annual March for Life.
Isabel Chism, 18, from the Detroit area, was among the participants. She said young women need to make their voices heard no matter their political leaning and she's concerned that women with her anti-abortion perspective are often ignored.
"A majority of our group is women, and we believe in women's equality, but we also believe in the equality of unborn women," Chism said.
The first march took place on the west steps of the Capitol in January 1974, the year after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade.
