As the fight to end abortion continues, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) is again sponsoring its annual March for Life at the State Capitol Jan. 22.
This year’s march will feature a visual component to help people understand the magnitude of abortion in Minnesota. Cathy Blaeser, co-executive director of MCCL, explained the display and the march to Patrick Conley, host of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show.
She noted that, in 2022, there were 12,175 abortions performed in Minnesota, an increase of about 20% over the average for the last eight to 10 years. MCCL wanted to bring attention to that and came up with an idea for the march.
“We decided this year to show Minnesota what 12,175 babies aborted looks like,” she said. “And so, we will be laying 12,175 fetal models on the steps of the Capitol, and our marchers will be the ones who lay them on the display frames that will be set up on the steps of the Capitol.”
Blaeser said she is hoping 12,000 people will come to the march to take part in placing the fetal models on the Capitol steps. This will be the first time such a thing has been done at the march, which has been taking place every year since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in Minnesota and across the country.
“It will be a very powerful display,” Blaeser said, “and we’ll really get to see what that loss of life looks like.”
All of the fetal models are being handmade by one man through a pro-life organization called Heritage House. “He has been working 12-hour days, six days a week to make sure that we get every baby we need,” Blaeser said.
To hear more about the march and how to get involved in pro-life efforts after the march, tune into the “Practicing Catholic” show that debuts at 9 p.m. Jan. 12 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. The show repeats at 1 p.m. Jan. 13 and 2 p.m. Jan. 14.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes a discussion with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Izen about his visits to schools and other aspects of his ministry in the months since he was ordained last April, and Will Pittner, founder and CEO of St. Paul-based nonprofit “Food to People” and its ministry of alleviating food insecurity in the area.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
