Anti-abortion protesters take to DC for March for Life

Anti-abortion protesters hoping to make headway under the new Trump administration will take to the streets Friday for the annual March for Life.

In a show of the issue's importance to the new White House, Vice President Pence will address the crowd, the first time in history a VP has done so.

Pence, a staunch opponent of abortion, signed several bills seeking to restrict the practice while governor of Indiana. He is also known for his anti-abortion record while serving in Congress.

Kellyanne Conway, senior counselor to President Trump, will also address the march.

Trump will speak to the crowd by phone, as Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan both did while in office.

Trump, who once declared that he was “very pro-choice,” took a hard-line conservative position on the issue during his presidential campaign and into his presidency.

This week he reinstated the Mexico City policy, which cuts off U.S. aid to international health groups that promote or provide abortions, following in the footsteps of other Republican presidents. 

Trump has also vowed to appoint only “pro-life” justices to the Supreme Court and has said he would sign legislation defunding Planned Parenthood.

Joining the new administration at the march are other anti-abortion lawmakers including Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.).

The event begins at 11:45 a.m., with speakers taking the stage at noon and the march beginning at 1 p.m. 

Marchers will follow a route up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building. 

The march follows last week's Women's March on Washington, which protested abortion restrictions, among other issues.