MARCHING FOR LIFE….LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
As I said on one of my last posts from D.C., the March for Life was a truly great moment in my trip, a real highlight, the first time I’d ever experienced a MFL. I would love to have done more with and for the EWTN crew but the real experts such as Teresa Tomeo and her March colleagues did such a stellar job.
Crowds waiting to go through security to get to the stage area:
Crowds at foot of Washington Monument:
I took quite a number of photos at the March and, as I hope you know, also posted several Facebook Live reports. There was some jamming by the Secret Services (to be expected when the president or, in this case, vice president ìs on the premises), so there were a few pauses in the videos. I wanted to post the photos Friday but did not get back to my computer until well after 8 pm at which time I was due to have dinner with a friend.
The media tent:
When I arrived at EWTN’s “field office” (tents and trucks housing technical equipment, food, coffee, etc.), on March Day I walked around the premises near the large staging area to get an idea of atmosphere, crowd size, signs, etc. and to listen to the speakers and musicians who were part of the MFL event.
Vice president Pence’s car:
Security for the veep:
The very moment I tried to move out to the field in front of the stage to get better photographs, the Secret Service and other police officers arrived and began to readjust all the metal barriers, in particular closing any openings that allowed the media and media guests to move about. I spoke to one agent, saying I was to go in front of the stage to take photos and then asked if I could leave the area where I was now fenced in. His response: “I think not.”
Teresa Tomeo interviewing Marchers:
She is just a red speck in the center of this photo – Kellyann Conway is descending the stage steps after addressing the crowd:
I was not the only one, of course, to now be restricted in my movements. The guests invited to speak or be on stage (Bishop Baker – he’s wearing glasses in this photo, Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey and members of Congress, were asked to stay behind barriers as VP Pence arrived. I slipped into this group and was thus able to get some of the photos you see here today – albeit behind the scenes, not in front of the stage.
I also have a few photos as we started to march. What I found remarkable as I spoke to people was learning of the increase in marchers this year from schools, parishes, dioceses etc. Some marchers, for example, said their parish had 2 busses of pro-life marchers last year and 4 buses this year – similar stories throughout the day.
As I tried to move through the crowd at various points, my path was often blocked – by fans! I was not blocked, of course, but just slowed down as so many people who follow me in various roles as EWTN wanted to say hi and give me a hug or take a selfie or family photo. It was a wonderful, warm feeling on a very cold day! Heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you – individuals, families, parishes and pastors!
Hopefully you were able to follow this historic event on EWTN as we transmitted hours and hours of speeches, interviews, music, etc.
Here is the EWTN video of Vice President Pence’s speech: https://www.facebook.com/ewtnonline/videos/
To read the full transcript of Vice President Pence’s remarks, click here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/27/march-life-remarks-vice-president-pence-prepared-delivery
Joan's Rome 