Hundreds of Butler County residents are on their way to the nation’s capitol for the 45th annual March For Life.
The theme of this year’s march is “Love Saves Lives.”
“It’s an opportunity for everyone across the whole country to go to Washington, D.C. to stand up for life,” Larry Black, former president of the Butler County Chapter of Pennsylvanians For Human Life, said in an interview. “There’s a rally, there’s several political speakers. Last year, Mike Pence showed up personally. It’s a very positive, enjoyable family environment.”
According to local organizers, eight buses and one van will be leaving from churches in Butler, Cranberry Township, Glade Mills, Herman, Valencia and Zelienople. Most of the vehicles are filled at or close to capacity, with some people on waiting lists.
According to Black, this is an event for the whole family with young people having the chance to learn valuable lessons and see freedom of speech first-hand.
“We always loved having kids on the bus because we think it’s an educational experience…we think it’s the right environment for them to learn and see things up close and to see our nation’s capitol and to meet our congressmen and our senators,” he said. “I think it’s one of the most educational experiences a person could have.”
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan is the lead speaker at the rally, with President Trump expected to address the crowd by satellite video. Following the march, the Butler County delegation is scheduled to meet with U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly of Butler to discuss protection of life legislation.