Despite freezing temperatures and very little media coverage Monday, hundreds of thousands of protesters spoke up on behalf of the voiceless in a country where freedom and liberties apply only to some and not to all. These protesters marched in defense of life and of the right to life, a liberty this country withholds from those unable to obtain it themselves. Which country is this? Ours, of course.

Jan. 22 marked the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision in abortion legislation in America. An estimated 200,000 protesters marched Monday to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., marking the 38th national March for Life. As the mainstream media seems reluctant to cover this topic, here’s an attempt to address it in a few short paragraphs.

Roe v. Wade was the 1973 Supreme Court decision that took the power from the states and declared abortion unconditionally legal for the first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy. In cases of second trimester abortions the states might have some restrictions, but only ones intended to protect the health of the mother.

In the companion case of Doe v. Bolton, it was established that abortions were to be allowed through any stage of pregnancy if the mother’s health was at risk. Risk is defined as “physical, emotional, psychological, familial and the woman’s age.” This is a rather broad list of exceptions to the rule. In other words, abortion is entirely legal through all nine months of pregnancy. A woman may have her child aborted the day before birth if she so chooses.

The March for Life is an annual event that protests the decision of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. People from all over the country, of all ages, sizes and nationalities, take part in the march. Most of these participants are young adults. Having participated myself several years ago, I can attest to the fact that there are countless young women and men out there who won’t sit back and let the previous generation continue to dictate our future.

Despite the media’s portrayal, the pro-life movement is not made up of old people set in their ways and unwilling to adapt to society’s demands. Far from it, in fact; that isn’t an accurate description of the most ardent abortion supporters. They are realizing their time is past. It is our generation’s turn to lead, and we’re not going to allow the 38-year genocide to continue much longer.

Since 1973 there have been more than 50 million abortions in America, according to the pro-abortion Alan Guttmacher Institute. One-third of all American women will have had an abortion by age 45. This is an astounding number. Fifty million human beings have had a choice made for them, a choice that ends in death. Millions of women are left to suffer the traumatic mental after-effects of abortion on their own. Countless family members are left confused and hurting. Abortion affects everyone, not just the mothers.

The March for Life on Monday was a chance for our nation’s youth to show Congress where we stand. As the future leaders of our nation, we cannot and will not put up with the persecution of an entire generation. Congress has realized its mistakes before, and will again. It’s simply our job as citizens to remind Congress of this.