Local activists aid anti-abortion cause

Jan. 28--WASHINGTON -- Cape Codders and several local churches took part in the March for Life in the nation's capital Friday, putting their support behind the anti-abortion movement.

For Andrea St. Germain, chairwoman of the Cape Chapter of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, this was at least her eighth time attending the rally and march over the past 30 years.

"All people are so important," St. Germain said, adding that she aimed to be "the voice of all those babies that can't say something."

A bus left Thursday for Washington, D.C., making several stops across the state. Several people from the group expressed support for a new administration that backs their beliefs.

Vice President Michael Pence told the crowd at the March for Life that anti-abortion policies were a top priority of the new administration, and President Donald Trump tweeted that the rally had his "full support."

The March for Life is held every year in Washington to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, that legalized abortion. While no official crowd estimates were available, the turnout was clearly larger than in recent years.

Vanessa Cloutier, 53, of Plymouth, said this year's was the biggest rally she's seen in her six times attending.

"It was just a sea of people," she said. "I've never seen that rally as full as it was."

Thousands of people gathered in the shadow of the Washington Monument and stood in long lines at security checkpoints made necessary by Pence's appearance.

"We've come to a historic moment in the cause for life," said Pence, the first vice president to address the rally. "Life is winning in America."

Americans remain deeply divided on abortion. The latest Gallup survey, released last spring, found that 47 percent of Americans described themselves as pro-abortion rights and 46 percent as anti-abortion. It also found that 79 percent believed abortion should be legal in either some or all circumstances.

St. Germain said she wanted it known that the Massachusetts Citizens for Life were "pro-life" not "anti-abortion."

"I don't persecute anyone who doesn't think the way I do," she said.

For Genny Paige, a 20-year-old Elms College student from Yarmouth Port and parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in West Harwich, the march was personal.

"The reason why I march is my parents chose adoption," the St. John Paul II High School graduate said. "My birth mother in China could have chosen to abort me."

Paige and several other young members of Holy Trinity Church attended the Mass for Life at the Verizon Center in D.C.

Holy Trinity's Deacon John Foley, who organized the trip, said he has seen the number of students who attend increase over the years, he said. This year, there were 11.

"It's really great for the young people to see their faith in action," Foley said.

After seeing last week's Women's March, he said he didn't understand the anger of some of the marchers.

"This really isn't a health issue," Foley said. "This is a life issue."

- Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Follow Ethan Genter on Twitter: @EthanGenterCCT.

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