By Bob Holmes

Two Columbia International University students made the nearly seven hour drive from Columbia to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2018 March for Life on Jan. 19. Sarah Causey and Abby Reamsnyder were among the tens of thousands of people from across the nation protesting the January 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Causey, a sophomore and Teacher Education major, says she is “very passionate about the pro-life movement.” She has attended training classes on defending the pro-life argument, volunteered at a Columbia crisis pregnancy center, and has participated in local pro-life marches. But she says the D.C. March was unlike any other.   

“The joy and love that seemed to fill the air was incredible,” Causey said. “As we marched as a group toward the Supreme Court Building, groups of supporters were praising God and chanting cheers declaring the value of life. It reminded me that there are indeed people who believe in life for the unborn, and to march as one for what we believe in was an experience I will never forget.”

Reamsnyder, a senior and Intercultural Studies major, is just beginning to get involved in the issue. She was also overwhelmed by the experience.

“We were walking to the Supreme Court Building and climbing a hill, and all I could see was people as far as the eye could see,” Reamsnyder said. “So many different kinds of people — different ages, speaking different languages and different religious backgrounds. It was really cool to see the diversity of the people who are pro-life. That was really encouraging.”

Both women say even if Roe vs. Wade is not overturned in the near future, the March for Life can still make an impact.

“If even just a couple people see what we've done and decide to ask us questions about why we believe what we believe, and wind up choosing life, this entire march will have been worth it,” Causey said. 

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