CHICAGO - Next Sunday afternoon, thousands of life advocates are expected to gather at the Chicago Loop's Federal Plaza at 2:00 PM CST for the city's annual March for Life.
Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and Chicago Bears’ co-owner Pat McCaskey will be among featured speakers emphasizing the 2019 march theme of "Unique from Day One." Jeanne Mancini, National March for Life President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and Ryan Bomberger, founder of the Radiance Foundation, will address how medical technology reaffirms that humans are unique, beginning at conception.
Bomberger, an adopted child conceived in rape, believes that every life has a distinct purpose.
“His personal experiences make him a perfect messenger for this year’s March For Life Chicago theme, Unique From Day One,” March for Life Chicago Board of Directors President Dawn Fitzpatrick said. “This peaceful march through the streets of Chicago is a reminder that people of Illinois and throughout the Midwest desire to proclaim the synchronicity of science and faith when it comes to the uniqueness of each life.”
“Being pro-life is not in opposition to science. It’s quite the opposite in fact," Fitzpatrick said. "Medical and technological advancements continue to reaffirm the science behind the pro-life cause – that life begins at fertilization, or day one, when egg meets sperm and a new, unique, human embryo is created.”
WHAT: March for Life Chicago 2019, “Unique From Day One”
WHEN: Sunday, January 13, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m. (Central)
WHO: Thousands of individuals and groups from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, and Missouri
WHERE: Federal Plaza, 50 W Adams, Chicago – MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/Zu1lI
2019 SPEAKERS:
- Kevin Grillot, Vice President of the March for Life Chicago
- Right Reverend Paul, Bishop of Chicago and the Midwest, Orthodox Church in America
- Pat McCaskey, Chicago Bears Vice President
- Aid for Women Client
- Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
- Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
- Jeanne Mancini, President, March for Life (national)
- Ryan Bomberger, Founder, Radiance Foundation
- weDignify College Student Leader
Attorney Rita Gitchell, former President of the National Lawyers Association and Thomas More Society Special Counsel, explains how science proves that embryonic humans are unique individuals, each deserving full protection of the law.
“Today there are observable scientific facts known about differences in the behavior and composition of individual cells in human embryos prior to the 8-cell stage of development and prior to implantation in the womb. As human beings, human embryos are protected under the 13th Amendment. These human embryos are human lives at an identifiable stage of human development with full potential until death – not potential life, as some have erroneously reported.”
Gitchell adds, “It’s easy to get caught in the uproar of noisy political issues with each side screaming about their rights. These little ones have no voice. It is up to us to speak on their behalf, to ensure that they are protected under the law.” Gitchell serves as a consultant to the March for Life Chicago.
Additional information concerning pre-march gatherings is available at March for Life – Chicago
