More than a thousand activists turned out for a Citizens for Life march and rally in downtown Dallas on Sunday.
Citizens for Life hosted a “unified celebration and petition for life” on January 22, the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling, to commemorate its overturn, which occurred on June 24, 2022.
The purpose of the rally, according to the event website, was to gather attendees to “march and pray for every state to turn towards LIFE!”
The 4 p.m. event in the City Hall Plaza started with gospel music, prayer, and speeches, followed by a march from Dallas City Hall to the historic downtown courthouse and back. Afterward, a 6 p.m. prayer and worship service was held.
Among the crowd was Texas State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth), accompanied by his wife and children.
“I’m here to celebrate the overturning of Roe v. Wade on the 50-year anniversary of when Roe v. Wade took place right here in Dallas,” Schatzline told The Dallas Express.
He explained how he feels about the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the work he feels is yet to be done.
“Look, I think it’s been something we’ve been praying for — for decades — so that we can protect the lives of the unborn. There’s nothing more important than us doing so.
“You know we’re gathering today because in Texas we’ve outlawed abortion, but we still have a lot of work to do on the pro-life front, whether that [be] taking care of the children that are now being born or … making sure that all the states follow Texas’ lead by outlawing abortion,” Schatzline said.
“I think additionally we have to look at these bills that are being spread throughout the nation, these abortion bills that are killing babies — and [that] really have absolutely no oversight — that’s what we have to address in the Texas legislature,” he said.
The argument between pro- and anti-abortion activists has divided many states, and the nation, as a whole.
During a speech on Sunday in Tallahassee, Florida, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that President Biden would issue a memorandum directing the secretary of HHS, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to consider issuing guidance for patients and providers about legal abortions.
“Members of our Cabinet and our administration are now directed to identify barriers to access and recommend actions to make sure that doctors can legally prescribe, that pharmacies can dispense, and that women can secure safe and effective medication,” Harris said.
In the speech, Harris castigated Republican lawmakers who continue to push for restricting abortion.
“Even in states that protect reproductive rights, like New Jersey, Illinois, Oregon, even there, people live in fear of what might be next because Republicans in Congress are now calling for a nationwide abortion ban. Even from the moment of conception, the right of every woman in every state in this country to make decisions about her own body is on the line. And I said it before, and I will say it again: How dare they?” she said.
Not every woman feels as Vice President Harris does.
“We are here to celebrate life after Roe v. Wade was overruled by the Supreme Court. We are just celebrating today, praising and worshipping Jesus and just thankful for life,” Christine Tostado, an attendee of the Dallas march, told The Dallas Express. “We believe that life comes from the Lord.”
Some attendees at the rally expressed support for utilizing adoption as an alternative to abortion.
Rep. Schatzline explained to The Dallas Express that he is addressing that issue from a legislative standpoint.
“I’m working on a bill right now that’s gonna be filed this next month, and essentially what it is, is … an adoption assistance program that’s going to make Texas one of the leaders in making adoption affordable in the United States,” Schatzline said.
“I think if we’re truly pro-life, we have to meet the need of also lowering the cost of adoption and giving resources for foster care families as well,” he said.
