Student members of the Seton Hall Campus Ministry, as well as Seton Hall United for Life (SHUFL), traveled to the annual March for Life event in Washington D.C. on Jan. 22 to join thousands of people to protest abortion.
March for Life is the largest anti-abortion demonstration in the nation. Over 20 Seton Hall students participated in the march. The trip to Washington D.C. was sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Campus Ministry.
The students began their day by attending mass at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and then moved over to the National Mall, where they listened to speakers, politicians and musicians with other participants, according to Noreen Shea, Campus Ministry RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
“The event was a great success,” said Shea. “Students experienced a peaceful and prayerful protest.”
After the morning mass and speeches, the march began. The students marched peacefully down Constitution Ave. down to the Supreme Court building, where the march ended.
For Michela Brooks, a mission leader from St. Paul’s Outreach, this was her second time attending the event.
“It was awesome to see friends and strangers from all over the country standing for the right to life,” said Brooks.
Many of the students who participated this year plan to return next year. Christina
Dunham, a sophomore environmental studies major, said she will definitely be returning next year.
“I believe that I can be a voice for the voiceless,” said Dunham. “I want people to know that I am not ashamed to exercise the freedom of speech that God and this country gave me, especially when it comes to the debatable abortion issue.”
Karol Hernandez, a sophomore biology major, said that she hopes she can bring some of her friends with her next year.
“Life is a fundamental value that is understood by all people and I want to defend those who cannot fend for themselves,” said Hernandez.
A Celebrate Life Day will be held on campus in April. Items for newborns will be collected and donated to local crisis pregnancy centers.
Emily Parise can be reached at emily.parise@student.shu.edu
Mackenzie Scibetta can be reached at mackenzie.scibetta@student.shu. edu
