“Five years ago, if you had told me we would have 35,000 pro-lifers walking in San Francisco, I would have said you were crazy,” said Eva Muntean, co-founder of the West Coast event. “Now I look out at the thousands of young people who eagerly listen to our message every year, and I see real and concrete hope for the future of our country.”

In the 38 years since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v. Wade, an estimated 48 million preborn babies have lost their lives. Over the weekend of Jan. 21-24, hundreds of thousands of life advocates will take part in events across the nation to mark the anniversary.

The national March for Life, which first took place in January 1974, is scheduled for Monday on the National Mall. March for Life founder Nellie Gray said the goal is simple: “To overturn Roe versus Wade, no exception, no compromise.”

President Ronald Reagan and both George H.W. and George W. Bush addressed the attendees by phone. President Barack Obama has been invited to do the same.

The weekend events culminate with the 29th annual Rose Dinner on Monday night. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., will be the keynote speaker.

Also taking place in Washington on Monday is Faith and Action’s National Clergy Conference for the Pre-born. The special clergy meeting is held on Capitol Hill in remembrance of the victims and in celebration of life.

Elsewhere, Missouri’s first March for Life is set for Saturday. Nebraska’s Walk for Life is Jan. 29. Walk for Life West Coast takes place Saturday in San Francisco and will feature former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson.

“Five years ago, if you had told me we would have 35,000 pro-lifers walking in San Francisco, I would have said you were crazy,” said Eva Muntean, co-founder of the West Coast event. “Now I look out at the thousands of young people who eagerly listen to our message every year, and I see real and concrete hope for the future of our country.”

Life advocates across the country can tune in online to the Life and Justice conference in Colorado Springs on Saturday. The event will raise a greater awareness of the sanctity of human life and biblical justice as they relate to the preborn child, orphan care, those living with a special need, the elderly, human trafficking and genocide.

© Copyright 2011 World Magazine. Used with Permission