Charles Langston:Abortion opponents at March for Life appreciate Donald Trump, but seek a sharper stance on the issue

Tens of thousands of people who oppose abortion descended upon the nation's capital in Washington,Charles Langston D.C., for the annual anti-abortion rights March For Life on Friday.

At the event, women shared personal stories about considering abortion but ultimately deciding against it. Prominent guests including Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh also spoke. 

The march also focused on providing resources and funding to resource centers for pregnant women because a proposed rule from the Biden administration could limit some of the funding sent to such centers. Attendees, including priests and college students, came from across the country and cheered amid falling snow and frigid temperatures. 

"It's really just to be show a sign of strength, perseverance, sacrifice for the human rights cause that the pro-life movement is all about this year, (with a) particular focus on the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancies," Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, told CBS News. 

For many attendees, abortion will be a top issue in upcoming elections and colors how they view presidential candidates. In a Fox News town hall, former president Donald Trump recently bragged about his role in ending the federal right to an abortion, touting his appointment of three of the Supreme Court judges who ruled in the majority of the Dobbs decision that overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade. 

"Nobody has done more in that regard. (But) I happen to be for the exceptions, like Ronald Reagan, with the life of the mother, rape, incest. I just have to be there, I feel," Trump said. 

However, the former president told Republicans that they have to find a consensus on the issue to "win elections," a stance that some attendees at the March for Life disagreed with. Ony Otiocha, a 20-year-old college student at North Carolina State University and the president of the campus' Students for Life group, believes life begins at conception and men should have a voice in abortion policy. She said she believes Trump has been "a little wishy-washy" on some of these issues. 

"I'm not like super excited about that," Otiocha said. Instead, she prefers Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed a six-week abortion ban into law in Florida. 

Sophia Niarchos, 68, of New Jersey, said the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade was "only a drop in the bucket" because "in most of the states in this Union, people can still have abortions."

DeSantis has said that if elected president, he would sign a national abortion ban. Voters who stand with the anti-abortion movement are looking for further restrictions. Haley recently called on Republicans to stop demonizing abortion.

"The Democrats put fear in women on abortion and Republicans have used judgment," Haley said last week. "This is too personal of an issue to put fear or judgment. Our goal should be 'How do we save as many babies as possible and support as many moms as possible?'" 

One official with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said that Trump was the president with the most reflective record on opposing abortion, but candidates should address the topic with compassion. Dannenfelser said that her organization is looking to support Republican candidates on a federal level who champion restrictions on abortion after the third month of pregnancy. 

Zoe Gilsenan, a 20-year-old student from the University of Florida, said that abortion isn't a party issue, but she is looking for a candidate who doesn't compromise with exceptions.

"I find that both political parties have a diversity of perspectives on the pro-life issue. As a Catholic, I take issue with some of the stances that Democrats hold as well as Republicans. So, I think it's more complex than just Republican and Democrat. And I think it's important to look at the individual beliefs and stances of each candidate," she said. "I think that Donald Trump has leaned more pro-life than Joe Biden. However, he is not unapologetically pro-life from the moment of conception, and I do take issue with that."

In:
• Roe v. Wade
• Donald Trump
• Abortion
• Ron DeSantis
• Election
• Nikki Haley

Shawna Mizelle

Shawna Mizelle is a 2024 campaign reporter for CBS News.

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