MID-VALLEY

More than 1,500 Oregonians rally at Capitol for annual March for Life

Abby Luschei
Salem Statesman Journal

A sea of blue signs filled the steps of the Oregon State Capitol.

"Humans begin in the womb, so do their rights," they read.

More than 1,500 Oregonians rallied at the Capitol Saturday afternoon for the annual March for Life, organized by Oregon Right to Life. 

The march is meant to "bear witness to the lives lost to legal abortion since 1973," said Lois Anderson, the executive director of the Keizer-based nonprofit. 

Anti-abortion events took place across the United States before and after the national event in Washington D.C. Friday. President Donald Trump addressed the crowd, becoming the first sitting president to attend a March for Life rally in the event's 47-year long history.

"How about our president?," said Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, followed by loud cheers from the crowd. Post emceed the event in Salem. 

The march has been held in Portland for the past several years, Anderson said, and it was held in Salem Saturday for the first time since 2011. This was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Oregon Right to Life, a milestone they hit this year.

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She said she hopes their message is heard and received by Oregonians who may not know or think about abortion laws in the state. 

More than 1,500 people attend the March for Life at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Jan. 25, 2020. To commemorate their 50th anniversary, Oregon Right to Life brought the event to back to Salem, its original home, after being in Portland for the past several years.

Abortion is legal in Oregon and would remain so even if Roe v. Wade was overturned or weakened. The state also has several laws expanding access to abortion, like public funding and private insurance requirements.

"One of my earliest memories is attending a rally like this with my parents. I remember seeing the people drive by and showing us their fingers ... but our love has proven stronger than their hate," said Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis as he addressed the crowd.

Karen Gaffney, the president of the Karen Gaffney Foundation, a Portland-based nonprofit advocating for full inclusion of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities, speaks during the March for Life at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Jan. 25, 2020. To commemorate their 50th anniversary, Oregon Right to Life brought the event to back to Salem, its original home, after being in Portland for the past several years.

Other speakers included president of Oregon Right to Life Melody Durrett and the rally's featured speaker, Karen Gaffney.

Gaffney is the president of the Karen Gaffney Foundation, a Portland-based nonprofit advocating for full inclusion of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

Once the speeches concluded, those in attendance began to march.

Gigi Kawell, 7, of Salem, carries a sign during the March for Life at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Jan. 25, 2020. To commemorate their 50th anniversary, Oregon Right to Life brought the event to back to Salem, its original home, after being in Portland for the past several years.

People who did not reflect their point of view were welcomed at the event, Anderson said, as long as they remained peaceful. There appeared to be no opposition Saturday.

More:Salem-Keizer candidates accept donations from Oregon Right to Life, Planned Parenthood

Durrett, who is the youngest person to be president of Oregon Right to Life, said their message will not be effective without compassion. 

"I think it's vital that our message is completely free of condemnation for women who have had abortions or people who disagree with us," she said. 

Abby Luschei is a reporter for the Statesman Journal and can be reached at aluschei@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6747. Follow her on Twitter @abbyluschei or facebook.com/luscheiabby.