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January 22, 2002 marked the twenty-ninth anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade U. S. Supreme Court decision that made abortion on demand the law of the land. Ever since that unfortunate day, pro-life groups have annually gathered in Washington D.C. to show solidarity in the fight against the killing of the unborn. This year, the President and Rock for Life made welcome additions to the congregating protestors.

For 2002 events, the March for Life stage was located on the grounds of the Washington Monument, across the street from its usual placement on the Ellipse. The Ellipse has been off-limits since the September 11 attacks because of its nearness to the White House. Headquarters so close to the Washington Monument meant having to look almost straight up to see the top of the obelisk, a inspiring perspective. So was hearing from the President of the United States. March for Life hasn't heard from a president since the other President Bush in the early '90's. President Reagan also used to call most years, but the Clinton years saw nothing but a cold shoulder from the south lawn of the White House which overlooks the Ellipse.

Before that phone call which opened the day's official program, a small stage across 15th street, about 150 yards from the main event, erupted with a big punch. It was Rock for Life. Founder Bryan Kemper, fifty supporters and Tooth 'n' Nail bands Cool Hand Luke and Hangnail demonstrated their successful campaign to awaken youth to right to life issues.

The sky was clear and the temperature a tolerable 40 degrees as Kemper introduced Cool Hand Luke to the arriving crowd. Dressed in anti-abortion sweatshirts, carrying pro-life banners and signs, they gathered in front of the rock trio on the little stage for a 25-minute set of emo-punk music. The crowd of appreciative listeners grew. Speakers followed. One urged people not to get in friend's faces, yelling at them about "their abominable opinions." He further reiterated that the opinions of others should be respected while standing firm on the truth that abortion is murder, out to kill this generation. Then Kemper took the stage to reminisce about the early days of Rock for Life, and a significant encounter with Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day, an amazing story of God's faithfulness and protection.

Hangnail took the stage, playing a 25 or 30 minute set that filled the area with energetic pop punk interrupted by frequent guitar tuning, thanks to the temperature. Hangnail also encouraged the crowd to live honestly and be actively pro-life; a message clearly aimed at the uninitiated, not these veteran protestors who were making an annual pilgrimage. The music stopped in time for the pro-life flock to move to the main event, which opened with that phone call by Mr. Bush who was in West Virginia:

"This march is an example of an inspiring commitment, and of deep human compassion. Everybody there believes, as I do, that every life is valuable, that our society has a responsibility to defend the vulnerable and weak, the imperfect, and even the unwanted; and that our nation should set a great goal: that unborn children should be welcomed in life and protected in law."

The president spoke of a "culture of life" and promised to continue his support of teen abstinence, parental notification for teens seeking abortions, bans on human cloning, abortions using public funds and partial-birth abortions. Others spoke, and then the swelling crowd began gathering in the streets to make the walk up to Capitol Hill and the U.S. Supreme Court building. When the official program ended, as the multitude moved into the streets, the Rock for Life stage powered back up for a tune or two, then the bands walked off the stage to take their place among the many thousands marching for life towards Capitol Hill.

The pro-life baton is passing to a new generation of Americans, one whose ranks are already decimated by legal abortion. Rock for Life's presence for the first time at this venerable national pro-life event marks them as an organization prepared to make a positive contribution. I'm sure their goal is to be on the main platform, if the protests must continue. But for now, Rock for Life's welcome presence was seen, and surely heard, supporting the nearly thirty year old protest march.  Rock on, pro-lifers.