Braving Rain and Pro-Abortion Mob, the Gift of Life Walk Thrives in Manhattan
On March 23, 2023, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP) and the Saint Louis de Montfort Academy joined hundreds of pro-lifers at the annual Gift of Life Walk in New York City to defend the unborn.
Undaunted by torrential rain, pro-lifers gathered in Foley Square at 11:00 AM to hear a line-up of speakers before setting off down Broadway Avenue, the Canyon of Heroes, in Manhattan’s financial district.
Abortion activists, however, mobilized to disrupt the event with noise makers and obscene chants. They displayed vulgar pro-abortion signs, LGBT pride flags, and rainbow umbrellas as they taunted and screamed “my body, my choice” and other vile insults.
Even before the march commenced, New York Police Department officers arrested a handful of pro-abortion troublemakers for misconduct, including one man wearing a satanic face mask.
In stark contrast, the pro-life gathering was prayerful and patriotic, with American flags and rosaries on prominent display. Dawn Eskew, president of Personhood Education New York, introduced local pro-life leaders, activists, and clergy who addressed the crowd assembled in the plaza despite the heavy rainfall and flood warning.
Speakers included the Very Rev. Joseph Coffey, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, pro-life priest Fr. Stephen Imabarrato, and Catherine Donohoe, president of the Pregnancy Service Network.
The march stepped off to Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above and patriotic music played by the TFP marching band. At intervals between hymns, TFP volunteers and students of the Saint Louis de Montfort Academy chanted slogans over bullhorns that echoed off the Wall Street skyscrapers: “Smile! You survived abortion!” and “New York! New York! Stand up for Tradition, Family, and Property!”
A significant number of police officers provided excellent protection as unhinged abortion activists followed the march on either side of the street, hurling abusive insults, curses, and blasphemies. The abortionists mocked the TFP founder, Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira, by name. But the pro-family slogans dominated: “Without exception, life starts at conception,” “Let’s restore the moral fabric of the red, white and blue,” and, finally, “Viva Cristo Rey!”
TFP members processed with a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima flanked by an honor guard of young Catholic students. The Queen of Heaven was leading her spiritual warriors in the noble battle to end the scourge of abortion in New York City.
“We stand up for God’s rights, for the right to life, and the future of our nation,” said TFP Student Action director John Ritchie. “New York City is a dark place, but the light of Christ is visible today as we march down Broadway for such a just and noble cause.”
“The abortion movement has no future because nothing can thrive on sin,” Ritchie said. “But the pro-life movement is full of promise and enthusiasm. That promise is palpable. The resilience of the pro-life movement is also a promise for the future. With the grace of God, the Gift of Life Walk in Manhattan will only grow.”
“This is a spiritual battle, and we already know who wins: Genesis 3:15 reminds us that the Virgin Mary's pure heel crushes the head of the proud serpent.”
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