Every year since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, people have gathered in our nation's capitol to offer silent protest against that decision, and discuss that, and other Respect Life issues with our elected representatives. This year many parishioners from the Waterbury area joined tens of thousands of others in the March for Life. The weather forecast was not very promising. Cold, windy and heavy rain were promised, but the rain ended before things got started. These photos show a small portion of a very busy day.

The first meeting of the day was with representatives of Rep. Christopher Murphy at his office, shown here.

Mr. Bill O'Brien of Connecticut Right To Life was present at the meeting with Rep. Murphy's staff. He led the discussion, presenting the view that all life is sacred, not something to be thrown away.

Walking from the House office building to the Senate office building you pass the Capitol building on the left, always an inspiring sight.

And on the right is the Supreme Court building, where the March will end. Pretty quiet early in the morning. Remember that empty look. Later it becomes quite crowed.

"Equal Justice Under Law". The West Pediment of the Supreme Court building shows "Liberty" in the center, surrounded by "Order" and "Authority", then "Council" and "Research".

Senator Lieberman's office hosted our visit with both his representatives, and those of Sen. Dodd.

Again, Bill O'Brien presented the concerns of the assembled citizens about life, health care, and rights of conscience.

You just can't have too many police for an event like this. A member of some police establishment about every 100 feet or so for the entire March. And there are a lot of police agencies to provide manpower. These are from the Capitol Police, there are also Washington Metro police, National Park police, and who knows how many others. We were well protected.

But just in case, the reserves were available.

A small part of the crowd beginning to gather on the Mall. The center of the Mall had a speakers platform where various dignitaries spoke to the crowd. There were so many people there that not all could get close enough to hear everything that was being said.

There were as many people around the Mall as on it.

With the March under way, the crowd headed down the street in the direction of the Capitol.

The Archdiocese of Hartford was well represented. Several groups sponsored trips to DC for the March, including the Archdiocesan Pro Life Ministry, Connecticut Right To Life, and others.

We can only hope that whoever parked this car here was not in a hurry to get out.

Music was provided by many people in the March. Here a musician offers traditional Catholic Hymns for those walking around him.

From the middle of the March, it is really difficult to get an idea of how many people are there. This view looks forward toward the head of the March.

Another musical group offered a stirring interlude of march type music to help keep everyone's spirits high.

Looking to the rear of the March, there are people as far as you can see, and still more who haven't even begun to join the main body of the March.

Remember that earlier picture of the Supreme Court building, all quiet. Uncounted thousands surge past in a show of unity with all those suffering the consequences of the Roe v. Wade decision.

The Knights of Columbus were a strong presence throughout the day. At the end of the March, they provided a first aid station for those in distress.