Thousands of anti-abortion activists from around the US were scheduled to gather in the capital Washington Friday for the annual "March for Life" - fired up by the support of Donald Trump, who was slated to address the crowds via video link.
The 45th edition of the rally, which describes itself as "the world's largest pro-life event," was set to take place on the National Mall - with other scheduled speakers including House Speaker Paul Ryan. On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced Trump would be "the first sitting president" to speak to marchers from the Rose Garden of the White House via satellite. Former Republican presidents, such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, addressed marchers by telephone.
The march marks an anniversary which infuriates its participants - the Supreme Court's historic ruling on "Roe v. Wade," which legalized abortion across the United States in 1973. And as someone who has said he supports abortion rights in the past - and has been divorced several times - Trump's track record would seem unlikely to impress the mostly conservative, Christian activists, either.
But at a White House reception Thursday evening, Vice President Mike Pence addressed leaders from the movement, describing Trump as "the most pro-life President in American history" and praising the cause's "extraordinary progress" over the past year. "You know, I've long believed that a society can be judged by how it deals with its most vulnerable - the aged, the infirm, the disabled, and the unborn," he said.
"I truly believe the day will come, because of your efforts and prayers, with pro-life majorities in our Congress, with President Donald Trump in the White House, I know America will choose life, once again," he added. Pence - who spoke at last year's rally a week after Trump's inauguration - also highlighted the administration's efforts to promote the anti-abortion cause. Among these was the controversial rolling back of Obama-era rules protecting funding to clinics that offer abortion services, such as Planned Parenthood.
This year's march follows the creation of a new Department of Health and Human Services office to protect religious rights of medical providers who refuse to perform procedures they say are against their beliefs - a move slammed by healthcare providers and rights groups alike.