Photo by Julianna Leopold

ATLANTA—On a chilly morning outside the Georgia State Capitol, a mother held her daughter close amid a crowd of pro-life supporters. While other children reveled in the sunshine, running freely and playing on Liberty Plaza, Yoveil Reschly nestled in the warmth of her mother’s embrace.

The young girl’s hand gripped a sign that read “small lives matter,” a nod to the impact of the pro-life movement.

In that moment, as Yoveil rested in the safety of her mother’s arms, they embodied the bond that so many dedicated advocates fight to protect—the connection between a mother and her child.

Trish Reschly and her husband, Eric, stood side by side with their five children at the annual March for Life on March 6. Huddled together Reschly said her family felt “overwhelmed with love to be here today.”

The couple’s oldest daughters had asked them to come, and for their family the march was more than just a cause. Reschly shared it was a deeply personal mission that resonated the values of their family.

“We’re here to support life,” Eric Reschly said, holding his wife’s hand. Together, they stood united with nearly 100 others, all gathered to march for the protection of the unborn.

Tricia Reschly holds her son while listening to the speeches during the annual March for Life March 6. His homemade sign reads “Small lives matter.” Photo by Julianna Leopold

Organized by a coalition of pro-life advocates, the event began at Liberty Plaza, just outside the Capitol building in Atlanta. People from varying walks of life, different faiths, political beliefs, ethnicities and ages, came together to defend life.

Participating were parishioners from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, joined by clergy and students from archdiocesan schools, including St. John Neumann Regional School in Lilburn, St. Joseph School in Athens and St. Mary’s Academy in Fayetteville. Students from Chesterton Academy and Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School also attended. Egyptian Orthodox and Protestant congregants, members of the LGBTQ+ community and others joined in with a shared purpose.

“It’s an honor,” said Landon Keeling, a St. Joseph School student who attended the march with classmates. “We’re here protecting all the lives, and standing up for what we believe in.”

The Athens students wore yellow beanies embroidered with an “SJA 4 LIFE,” and carried signs that read “a person’s a person, no matter how small,” a quote from Dr. Suess.

Local and national organizations set up booths on the plaza, kicking the day off by delivering details about their campaigns to attendees. The groups engaged with onlookers by offering information packets, stickers, postersand signs that highlighted the pro-life movement. Among the organizations participating were Pregnancy Aid Clinic, Turning Point Action, Her PLAN and the Abortion Survivors Network.

Lauren Eden, ambassador for the Abortion Survivors Network, represented the organization at the march and spoke about the gift of life at her booth. Among many helpful resources provided by the organization, Abortion Survivors Network connects survivors with one another, offering them a chance to share their stories and find healing. Additionally, the network strives to humanize conversations surrounding abortion.

It’s “a gift that I can be here today,” Eden said. “Being here with other pro-lifers standing for babies is a blessing.”

Eden is a survivor of a second-trimester abortion. In her role at the Abortion Survivors Network, Eden helps survivors in their journey to understanding their experience.

“Abortion, in all forms, is still so common today,” Eden shared. “I want to help people understand that these situations happen all the time to real people, real babies.”

Before speakers presented reflections, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., began with prayer.

Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp greet one another at the Georgia State Capitol during the annual March for Life March 6. Photo by Julianna Leopold

“Lord, bless this march and all who take part in it.” he said. “May our voices be strong but filled with love, our steps be firm but peaceful and our message be one of truth and mercy.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Sen. Benjamin Watson, April Chapman of the Standard of Proof podcast and Felicia Pricenor from the Georgia coalition March for Life were among the event speakers. Each stressed the significance of the day and thanked the audience for unwavering support for the protection of the unborn.

Equipping fathers

Benjamin Watson, former University of Georgia and National Football League player, was the keynote speaker.

“Today, we gather in honor of that moment when life is hanging in the balance,” Watson said. “We march because we understand that human dignity is neither for sale, nor is it subject to the trends of our culture.”

Watson is the founder of the Watson Seven Foundation, a nonprofit focused on strengthening families. He has written books centered on the pro-life movement, including “The New Fight for Life: Roe, Race, and a Pro-Life Commitment to Justice.”

Watson and his wife, Kirsten, have seven children. He shared that being an active father is important in helping mothers raise children in a loving home.

Watson shared with the audience that men are needed now more than ever “to be the leaders, husbands and faithful fathers that we were designed to be.”

Encouraging and helping men is vital to Watson’s mission, and he works to provide men with the necessary resources to be leaders and protectors. To Watson, fathers march for life because “mothers and children need us to stand up for them.”

“Friends, our work is not done,” Watson’s said in closing. “Let’s march.”

Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., and Father Neil Dhabliwala are joined by students at the March for Life. Photo by Julianna Leopold

A wave of energy swept through the crowd as they roared in response. Pro-life leaders held their signs high and marched around the Capitol, beginning the route on MLK Jr. Drive.

Leading the way were students from St. John Neumann Regional School. Their voices echoed throughout the downtown streets as they chanted pro-life slogans.

“Save the babies,” one student said into a microphone. Students cried “we love mothers” and “we love Jesus; yes we do,” encouraging others to repeat after them.

Some onlookers cheered for the march as the group moved by. Their support was a reminder of the unity between strangers who believe life is sacred.

As the marchers returned to Liberty Plaza, they gathered on the steps of the Capitol building. Leaders asked the group to raise their voices so that lawmakers inside the building could hear their support for the unborn. The march was a reminder of the importance of resilience, said keynote speaker Watson.

“Never forget that the work is not over, because this movement was never simply about overturning Roe v. Wade,” Watson said. “It’s about challenging the culture to promote human life.”