Long Islanders join thousands at March for Life in D.C.

Crowded buses left in the early-morning darkness on Friday from different parishes on Long Island, all bound for Washington, D.C., and the March for Life.

Two buses, holding 94 passengers, left from St. Patrick’s Church in Glen Cove. Parishioners from the Catholic church and All Saints Regional Catholic School were among them, as were parishioners from St. Rocco’s.

Not everyone on the bus was Catholic. The Rev. John Yenchko, from Oyster Bay’s North Shore Community Church, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America, brought along some members.

“It was the first one I went to in D.C.,” Yenchko said, “even though I’ve been supporting the pro-life movement for the past 35 years.”

He added that he found the march to be about love. “Proverb 31, Verse 8 says: ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,’” he said. “That’s what we were trying to do. Speak up for the tiny.”

Kelsey McManus, a parishioner at St. Rocco’s, works at All Saints. She has been attending the march since 2001. Good weather and minimal traffic allowed for the buses from Glen Cove to arrive early. McManus was pleasantly surprised that the National Mall was already mobbed with marchers.

“This year, with the weather being so nice, it helped bring even more people out,” she said. “It was definitely more crowded than in years past.”

Asked if she believed that the increase in participation might encourage the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, she said she couldn’t say. “We continue to hope and pray that people’s hearts and minds will change,” McManus said, “that they will see everyone has an inherent right to life.”

Timothy O’Keefe, of Wantagh, said he has been attending the march for the past 35 years. “I go to show my support for the unborn and to try to have an impact on the law,” he said. “For me it’s a way to raise consciousness and be a public witness.”

O’Keefe enjoys the entire experience, including the bus ride, during which passengers join in reciting the Rosary. “At the march, you hear people chanting or singing,” he said, adding that he couldn’t help but notice an increase in the participation of young people this year. “There were a lot of young people from schools this year. It’s a big commitment to go. We all go out of love.”

Mariellen Orozco, of Glen Head, went with her two children. “My son, who attends All Saints, went last year and had a very positive experience,” Orozco said, adding that 25 students from All Saints went this year. “I wanted to share in his experience, so I decided to accompany him this year.”

She said that although the sheer size of the crowd made it difficult to walk, she was glad she went. “It’s important to have the march, because it’s important for our leaders to know that there are significant amounts of people who don’t believe that killing is the answer,” Orozco said. “If a woman was shown love and understanding instead of ridicule, maybe she wouldn’t decide to have an abortion.”

Marie Gallagher, of Glen Cove, said she has been going to the march since she was a young girl. “I think it’s important to support women who find themselves in a difficult situation with an unplanned pregnancy,” she said. “I’m not for assisted suicides either. Human life is sacred.”

It’s important, Gallagher added, to “let our legislators know this is how we vote.”

President Trump became the first president to address the marchers by way of live-stream video. “You come from many backgrounds and many places, but you all come for one beautiful cause, to build a society where life is celebrated and protected and cherished,” he said. “The March for Life is a movement born out of love … You love every child born and unborn, because you believe that every life is sacred, that every child is a precious gift from God.”

Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan also spoke, but the president’s remarks appeared to make the biggest impact.

“It’s nice to have a president that understands the value of life,” Gallagher said. “I know some people may not care for him, but he supports life issues. One of the reasons he got elected is that he is pro-life.”

The marchers proceeded up Constitution Avenue to the Capitol, and then to their final destination: the Supreme Court.