March for Life rally gathers at MN Capitol on Roe v. Wade anniversary
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Activists rallied behind the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) organization gathered on the steps of the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul on Wednesday for a March for Life – speaking against perceived pro-abortion policies, and outlining their own legislative priorities for the 2025 session.
FOX 9 was in attendance, and footage from the event can be seen in the player above.
March for Life in St. Paul
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A rally began at the State Capitol Mall around noon on Wednesday that led to the Capitol steps, where speakers spoke against Minnesota’s enacted abortion protections, and outlined priorities they would like to see current lawmakers enact.
Other communities across Minnesota, including in Brainerd and Bemidji, have held similar rallies in recent days.
Roe v. Wade and abortion protections
Big picture view:
The MCCL has sponsored the annual gathering since 1973.
The timing marks the 52nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision – issued on Jan. 22, 1973. The 7–2 decision ruled that states could not excessively restrict abortion access.
However, in June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the decision, in issuing a ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – effectively ending the constitutional right to an abortion.
Currently, 14 states have total or near-total bans – an issue that became a focal point during the 2024 presidential election.
Local perspective:
During the 2023 legislative session, Democrats passed Minnesota’s Protect Reproductive Options Act, guaranteeing access to abortions.
Gov. Walz has previously said the state will "stay in the business of protecting fundamental rights" despite the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
The Source: Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life press release and previous FOX 9 reporting.