Tens of thousands of pro-life Canadians marched for unborn babies’ right to life Thursday in Ottawa, waving flags and holding signs that celebrate the dignity of every human life.
This year was the 20th anniversary of the pro-life march, according to the Catholic Register. Last year, an estimated 25,000 people attended, and organizers hoped to break the record this year, the report states.
Photos and social media posts from Thursday indicate that the crowd size probably did break the record, but LifeNews could not find an official estimate. The CBC reported “hundreds” of people attended the march, but mainstream news outlets tend to vastly underestimate March for Life numbers.
The theme was “Life: We Stand on Guard for Thee,” inspired by the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation, according to organizers with the Campaign Life Coalition.
Throughout the day, pro-lifers held prayer services and Masses at various locations in the capital. At noon, they gathered on Parliament Hill for a rally, followed by a march through downtown Ottowa.
Canada is one of the most anti-life countries in the world, allowing abortions for any reason up to birth. Assisted suicide and euthanasia also recently became legal in the nation.
Despite these discouragements, the crowd on Thursday seemed to be positive and hopeful. Many college students and families appeared to be in attendance.
The March for Life in the U.S. celebrated with Canadians by posting this tweet:
Canada has the most pro-abortion laws in the world. But its capital city just raised a pro-life flag https://t.co/cKPOqh4QSv @LifeSite pic.twitter.com/3vP5kRC6dU
— March for Life (@March_for_Life) May 11, 2017
However, abortion activists quickly expressed outrage at the flag, prompting city officials to remove it, CBC reports.
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Here are more images from the March for Life in Canada:
Thousands gather on Parliament Hill prior to #MarchForLife #WhyWeMarch pic.twitter.com/8w09rqT4LH
— Neil MacCarthy (@neilmaccarthy) May 11, 2017
Wow! This is the largest #prolife demonstration on parliament hill #marchforlife #standonguard #canada150 pic.twitter.com/2C5iPcznfM
— CampgnLifeCoalition (@CampaignLife) May 11, 2017
#MarchForLife pic.twitter.com/cyjNlsSqxA
— Eri Lindig Maya (@EriLindig) May 11, 2017
Good turnout for #MarchforLife in Canada. I’m here with the women and men of @regretabortion pic.twitter.com/GlnMfjTEoI
— Janet Morana (@JanetMorana) May 11, 2017
Cardinal Collins with pilgrims from @NewmanUofT @uStMikes at Ottawa #MarchForLife #WhyWeMarch pic.twitter.com/lIzTXEsPqm
— Neil MacCarthy (@neilmaccarthy) May 11, 2017
We are the #prolifegeneration #marchforlife pic.twitter.com/4tBXbmzGys
— Nicolas DuBonnet (@NicolasDuBonnet) May 11, 2017
John with a message at the March for Life Ottawa pic.twitter.com/kbXveNiU8l
— Rod Taylor (@CHPCanadaLeader) May 11, 2017
“We need our heads, hearts and hands joined together for the service of life!” -Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Cardinal Collins @archtoronto pic.twitter.com/uO7kHduhVB
— CampgnLifeCoalition (@CampaignLife) May 11, 2017
#WhyWeMarch because we believe in truth and hope #MarchForLife @NewmanUofT @FrPeterJMJ pic.twitter.com/WFW8uNfcKX
— Christian Silva (@Christiansilvab) May 11, 2017
Awesome to see a large presence of supporters at the #MarchForLife in #ottawa #prebornhumanrights pic.twitter.com/TD5L7SGrG4
— weneedaLAW (@weneedaLAW) May 11, 2017
Every person should have the right to #LIFE. Watch #EWTN‘s Facebook Live for more. #WhyweMarch #ProLife #MarchforLife pic.twitter.com/fXDe81SjJi
— EWTN (@EWTN) May 11, 2017