Glenn Youngkin Tells Virginia March for Life: “Stand Up for the Rights of the Unborn”

State   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Feb 1, 2023   |   6:19PM   |   Richmond, Virginia

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined thousands of pro-life advocates Wednesday on the streets of Richmond to support protections for unborn babies from abortion.

Speaking during the Virginia March for Life, the Republican governor said he felt encouraged to see so many people of all ages and walks of life coming together to stand for unborn babies.

“Today, I had the honor to attend the Virginia March for Life,” he wrote afterward on Twitter. “Virginians elected a pro-life governor and I’m committed to standing up for the rights of the unborn. Virginians want fewer abortions, not more.”

Pro-life leaders estimated approximately 5,000 people participated in the rally and march, including Youngkin, state Attorney General Jason Miyares and other lawmakers. Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia, said the numbers are a testament to the fact that Virginians support protections for unborn babies.

“Seven months ago, pro-lifers celebrated as the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, but they recognize there is still much work to be done on the state level, especially here in Virginia,” Cobb said. “Today, Virginians rallied to show their legislators that Virginia is for life, that Virginians want a commonwealth that supports women and the pre-born.”

Abortions are still legal for any reason up to viability in Virginia, and about 16,000 unborn babies are aborted there every year.

LifeNews is on TruthSocial. Please follow us here.

Youngkin and Republican leaders recently introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to ban abortions after 15 weeks. Polls show strong public support for such legislation, but Democrat state lawmakers killed the bill last week.

The Daily Signal interviewed Younkin during the march, asking him about the rise in political violence directed at pro-life advocates in recent months.

Youngkin condemned the attacks, saying: “We have to continue to stand up for the fact that people can have a difference of opinions — that’s part of America — but there’s no place for violence. None, and we won’t allow it in Virginia.”

Asked about the illegal protests by abortion activists outside U.S. Supreme Court justices’ homes, Youngkin continued: “I very much disagree with the fact that [U.S. Attorney General Merrick] Garland allows that to happen. We are supportive of a bill in our legislature to not allow that to happen … people should not be allowed to protest at their homes.”

“The state police has been working consistently in order to make sure that we are supporting local law enforcement to keep everyone safe,” he said.

The 5th annual Virginia March for Life was co-hosted by the Family Foundation of Virginia, the national March for Life, the Virginia Catholic Conference and the Virginia Society for Human Life.