WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Unique Perspective at the March for Life

During last week’s March for Life, a large gathering of conservative Christians advocating for the end of abortion, a smaller group of left-leaning pro-lifers made their presence known. This group, comprising self-identified feminists, leftists, and even atheists, attended an event headlined by figures like Vice President J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson. They emphasized a common value that they believe unites everyone.

One representative from Ohio, Connie, who identifies with the new wave feminist movement, expressed that her form of feminism advocates for equality for those in the womb, insisting this should be achieved without violence or discrimination.

Connie mentioned that her liberal stance often makes her feel out of place in certain pro-life spaces. According to her, there’s a misconception that feminism is inherently linked to abortion when, in fact, they are distinct issues. “If you truly value equality, non-violence, and non-discrimination, supporting abortion doesn’t align with those values,” she asserted.

In response to how some feminists might push pro-life advocates away, Connie stated that this behavior amounts to “horizontal violence” against vulnerable individuals—“those who are innocent and entirely dependent on their mothers’ wombs.” She concluded that all human beings, regardless of their development stage, should be considered precious and deserving of protection.

Another participant, Ellis from Washington, D.C., held a sign criticizing language that trivializes fetuses as “a mass of parasitic cells.” She described this rhetoric as gerontist and ableist, arguing that it reflects an extreme worldview that society should reject. “If you consider yourself left-wing, being pro-life could be a more consistent stance,” she noted, citing that many leftist values oppose discrimination.

Elise, another member of a secular pro-life organization, explained her standpoint by claiming that pro-abortion advocates demonstrate ageism and ableism, asserting that they unjustly target babies who may have developmental needs. She characterized the pro-choice movement as employing fascist strategies, equating their language to historical dehumanization tactics. She remarked, “The term ‘parasite’ has historically been used to dehumanize entire groups of people; this is the same kind of manipulation,” highlighting that there are significant secular arguments to support a pro-life stance.

When confronted about backlash from her fellow leftists regarding concepts of “bodily autonomy,” Elise expressed skepticism. “If abortion is about bodily autonomy, then we must consider the rights of the baby as well. It just doesn’t add up,” she remarked.

Other members of Secular Pro-Life carried signs stating messages like “Murder is not progressive” and “Dissent is wrong.”