Knights in Ohio and Pennsylvania support Marches for Life at state capitals

By Elisha Valladares-Cormier 10/9/2025

This year, thousands of pro-life advocates — including Knights of Columbus and their families have participated in pro-life demonstrations organized by the March for Life Education and Defense Fund at 17 state capitals throughout the United States.

Among these were marches in Pennsylvania and Ohio — two of the country’s most prominent battleground states in ensuring the right to life. Jennie Bradley Lichter, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, highlighted the importance of pro-life advocacy in Pennsylvania and similar states during remarks at a rally before the Keystone State’s march in Harrisburg on Sept. 22.

“Especially in this post-Roe era, our political and cultural leaders take notice of events like this one,” Lichter said. “So today is an unmatched opportunity to show the persistence and the loveand the strength of the pro-life movement here in Pennsylvania. Despite the challenging legal, cultural and political landscape, don’t ever give in to discouragement.”

Pennsylvania Knights supported the march in several ways, including serving as marshals, distributing K of C “Love Life, Choose Life” signs and helping set up an all-night Eucharistic adoration vigil Sept. 21 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Harrisburg.

During the march, Knights carried a banner that read, “PRO-LIFE: From Conception to Natural Death.” The banner — designed by William Beno of St. Jude Council 9019 in Irwin — was part of a new state council program encouraging councils to submit designs for signs to be displayed at pro-life events throughout the year. Pennsylvania State Deputy Gary Damich said the program is meant to spark Knights’ interest in attending events like the state and national marches and in promoting the dignity of every human life.

“Our mission to defend life at every stage is not optional — it is at the very heart of our Catholic identity,” Damich said. “We’re here for the unborn and to get our politicians back on the right track.”

Dave Bloomer, deputy life director for the Pennsylvania State Council, affirmed that the Knights’ holistic approach to pro-life work — which includes advocacy as well as spiritual and material support — has become even more important in Pennsylvania, where Gov. Josh Shapiro last year halted any state funding for pro-life pregnancy resource centers.

“Being pro-life means being for both the baby and the mother, even after the baby is born,” Bloomer said. “We see it as that total package: being pro-life witnesses at the march and supporting pro-life legislation, but also that grassroots, down-to-earth help we’re giving moms each day.”

Less than two weeks later, Ohio Knights were among the 5,000 demonstrators who converged on the Ohio Statehouse for the state’s March for Life on Oct. 3. Here, Knights also distributed signs and helped lead the march as marshals. Those present shared their continued optimism for the pro-life movement in Ohio, despite a 2023 constitutional amendment that enshrined a right to abortion in the state constitution.

The amendment, which passed with nearly 57% of the public vote, was considered a major blow to the pro-life movement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade.

Knights throughout the state had rallied in opposition to the amendment — designated in that year’s election as Ohio Issue 1 — and its passage left many Knights feeling defeated, said Ohio State Deputy Mike Felerski.

“But we regrouped, and it’s back to changing hearts and minds,” Felerski said. “This is near and dear to a lot of our hearts, and so we’re putting our heart and soul into events like this, and I think it's going to have a positive effect. We’ve got to build momentum.”

Speakers at the pre-march rally included Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and State Rep. Adam Mathews, a past grand knight of St. Francis de Sales Council 14408 in Lebanon. Speaking on behalf of the Ohio House Pro-Life Caucus, Mathews exhorted attendees to help others recognize that each life is made in the image and likeness of God.

“We march because we believe in protecting the dignity [of life] at every stage, and in Ohio, we’re committed to building a culture where life thrives,” said Mathews. “The Ohio constitution calls us to uphold the rights of all persons, including the most vulnerable. … As we hew closely to this foundational document, we continue advocating for cultural shifts that celebrate life and legal changes that safeguard it.”

Bishop Daniel Thomas of Toledo, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, offered an opening prayer at the rally and later expressed his gratitude to the Order for its support of the USCCB’s pro-life initiatives.

“I know several Knights of Columbus are involved with and support [the USCCB’s pro-life programs] together with their wives,” Bishop Thomas said. “I’m very encouraged always by the witness of Knights and their commitment to life and the protection of all life.”

Many Ohio Knights had personal reasons for attending the march. District Deputy Eric Yang, one of the K of C marshals, serves as an adjunct professor of developmental biology and embryology at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. He was encouraged to see several students — many of them future priests — at the march, complementing his efforts to “teach seminarians the science behind the Church’s teaching,” he said.

Grand Knight Mason Liles, attending his first March for Life, came to represent Pope John XXIII Council 5429 in Columbus. Just two years ago, Liles would have considered himself on the opposite end of the life issue. But since converting to Catholicism in 2024, he’s felt compelled to show up for pro-life causes.

“Events like this are good opportunities for us to engage in dialogue and learn a little bit more about how to persuade other people who may not agree,” Liles said. “There’s a lot of young people here; in fact, I think the majority of people here are probably under 40. If you’re a millennial and talk to others in the same generation, it can sometimes seem like no one is pro-life. So it’s great to be out here and see a lot of people in our generation who share our beliefs.”

Two years ago, eight state marches were organized under the umbrella of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. This year, that number more than doubled to 19. Felicia Pricenor, vice president of government affairs for the March for Life, who also oversees the state march program, said even more marches will be organized in 2026 — with the eventual goal of having demonstrations in all 50 states.

“Every one of our marches has something unique and irreplaceable to contribute to the fight for life,” Pricenor said. “The amazing support we experience from the Knights — through sponsoring buses to the boots-on-the-ground volunteers — helps us continue our efforts to grow the program.”

The final state marches of 2025 will take place in Bismarck, North Dakota, and Lansing, Michigan, on Oct. 10 and Nov. 6, respectively. To learn more, visit marchforlife.org/statemarches.