“LIFE”

When Utah’s first March for Life was held eight years ago, there were 35 people in attendance. On January 20, 2024, an estimated 1,500 people marched for life at the Utah State Capitol. I was privileged to be one of them.

My boyfriend and I went together. As we approached the Utah State Capitol, we observed a sea of bright yellow flags flying high in the air, with the word “LIFE” written across them in big, bold letters. The crowd was massive. Though there were many older people in attendance, the crowd was mostly younger – students, young parents and their children.

Many held signs proclaiming the truth that all life is equal and should be protected. 

Several prominent figures and organizations sponsored and attended the March for Life such as Latter-day Saints for Life, the Respect for Life ministry, the Knights of Columbus, Representative John Curtis, Bishop Oscar Solis of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, and others.

“Make no mistake about it, the people of Utah have blood on their hands …”

The reigning message of the event was that abortion is not over in Utah. Volunteers are needed just as much now as they were prior to the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.

Keynote speaker Merrilee Boyack, who serves as the director of development at Pro-Life Utah, shared an emphatic message about the importance of getting involved in the ongoing fight to end abortion in Utah.

Chloe with Merrilee Boyack, director of development for Pro-Life Utah.

She said, “I encounter so many people who think we don’t have elective abortion in the state of Utah at all. How wrong. Approximately nine babies are killed in the state of Utah day after relentless day.”

“It is time to stop the slaughter,” said Boyack. “It is time to stop being nice and accepting this issue. It is time for outrage.”

Boyack also said that three times the amount of lives have been lost to abortion in the state of Utah as were lost in the Vietnam War. She told attendees that they needed to “draw a line in the sand.”

Also speaking at the event was Mary Taylor, President of Pro-Life Utah. 

She said, “Since Roe v. Wade was overturned a year and a half ago the battlegrounds have changed, but abortion still remains a huge problem in Utah.”

“For a year and a half, babies are dying every day,” continued Taylor. “We’ve got over 4,800 babies that have died since the injunction; and that’s why we march.”

Both Taylor and Boyack encouraged attendees of the event to commit to the cause through their time and donations, emphasizing the joy that is felt when you participate in a “baby save,” which is when a mother rejects abortion and accepts the invitation to choose life for her child.

Pregnancy Choice Utah Mobile Ultrasound Clinic

The Pregnancy Choice Utah mobile clinic was parked on the Capitol steps for the duration of the event. Attendees could see inside of the van, or sit in it if they wanted to, and volunteers stood nearby to explain more about this tool used to offer resources to women considering abortion.

We neglected to take a picture of the mobile clinic van by itself, but snapped one with the van in the background.

Volunteering with the mobile clinic is one of the most powerful forms of pro-life advocacy. Pro-Life Utah usually parks the van outside of abortion clinics. Volunteers greet women as they approach the buildings and offer them resources – including free ultrasounds, free pregnancy tests, and counseling options for further support. 

Also offered to these women are care packages. These packages include a pair of socks, assorted candy, chapstick, and brochures containing information about fetal development, the Life Grant Program, and post-abortion healing.

RELATED: Abortion Issues and Healing: a conversation with Lindsey Tafengatoto

I have met women in a variety of situations out on the sidewalk. Many of the women that I have met feel like abortion is their only option because of the circumstances that they are in. That is why we go out on the sidewalk – to let them know that they have other options and empower them to choose life for their child.

Impact

KSL quoted Merrilee Boyack as saying, “I think (the march) sends a message not only to our legislators but also to our courts. People are pro-life here in Utah.” 

Our state is in a legal battle over our abortion restrictions right now. SB 174, the trigger law that banned abortion from conception upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022 (with very limited exceptions), isn’t in effect until the State Supreme Court hands down their decision on whether or not it is constitutional in our state. HB 467, which amended the law to only allow abortions to be performed in hospitals (and which could put abortion clinics out of business), is also held up in court.

READ ALSO: Medical exceptions in abortion bans: are they really as murky as some claim?

Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to take a stand – to attend pro-life events and committee hearings, and show the courts and legislators in this state that we want to protect life. We cannot grow complacent.

YOU are needed!

Pro-Life Utah saved 70 babies in 2023. Just in the first three weeks of 2024, they’ve already saved 14 babies.

Many women seeking abortion feel like it is their only option. At the March for Life, Boyack said, “When they come (to the mobile clinic), we tell them the things we’d help them with: financial support, baby supplies, safe housing, etc.”

According to her, 82% of women who are helped by volunteers in the mobile clinic or online “change their minds and choose life.”

Pro-Life Utah has been doing wonderful work in our community to save babies and empower mothers, and I want to see that work continue. 

If you have anything to give – whether that is time or effort – please seriously consider giving to Pro-Life Utah. They need people to be willing to commit themselves to this effort so they can continue in their work. No matter your skill set, there is a place in this organization for you.

This article was originally published on the author’s personal blog. For more of her excellent content or to donate to or volunteer with Pro-Life Utah, follow the links below.

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Donate to Pro-Life Utah | Get Involved