40 Days for Life leader attends DC's March for Life

A Texas leader of the anti-abortion movement is in Washington today for the annual March for Life.

Washington Correspondent Alana Austin takes us to this year's rally, where participants remain hopeful abortion laws can change.

Huge crowds rallied peacefully in the nation's capital Friday for the 45th annual March for Life. Among them was the leader of 40 Days for Life, the anti-abortion campaign which began in Bryan, Texas.

"Men and women around the world right now are defending our freedoms and our rights to go out and assemble publicly and 40 Days for Life has been a great demonstration of that, to do it peacefully," said Shawn Carney, president and CEO of 40 Days for Life.

Carney says it all started with prayer vigils outside the local Planned Parenthood center. He believes the group's prayers were answered when the facility shut down, and 40 Days for Life took over.

"And is now our headquarters for 40 days for life and is operated by two former abortion doctors so it really shows the transition that happens in the local level, can happen on the national level," said Carney.

Every January, 40 Days for Life joins pro-life activists from all over the country in our nation's capital in peaceful protest against Roe v Wade -- the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

Those at the March for Life say they want to see leaders take more action to end abortion but while they're here they're also hoping to change hearts and minds.

The March for Life this year drew top Republican leaders, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and a live video message from President Donald Trump. Carney says this administration has boosted the pro-life movement.

"Under my administration, we will always defend the very first right in the Declaration of Independence. And that is the right to life," said the President.

After demonstrators listened to speeches at the event, thousands marched to the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court.