Angelus News | February 9, 2024 | Vol. 9 No

Thousands of marchers walked in the rain from Olvera
Street to LA State Historical Park. The sign displays the
theme from the event: “10 Years Together as One.”
RIGHT
AS RAIN
Rather than dampen
the enthusiasm, the
wet weather at this
year’s OneLife LA
seemed to strengthen
the resolve of
participants from
around California.
BY MIKE CISNEROS /
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
VICTOR ALEMÁN
There was no escaping the rain.
It permeated everything:
clothes, jackets, socks, shoes. It
soaked everything trying to prevent it,
from umbrellas to hats to ponchos to
covered baby strollers.
Signs were drenched, whether it was
the sturdy ones handed out for the
event, or the handmade variety that
people brought from home. Water-logged
signs that said things like
“Pregnancy is not a disease, abortion
is not a cure” or “Protect all children,
even if they’re not yours.”
But there was one thing the rain
couldn’t dampen: The resolve of nearly
7,000 to speak out for and celebrate
the dignity of life at the 10th annual
OneLife LA event on Jan. 20, titled
“10 Years Together as One.” As in past
years, it started with a rally at La Placita
Olvera in downtown LA and made its
way to Los Angeles State Historic Park,
where music, activities for families, and
a lineup of pro-life speakers awaited.
Later, the day was capped by the annual
Requiem for the Unborn Mass at the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
Hundreds of miles to the north, tens
of thousands were also gathering for
a sometimes-rainy 20th annual Walk
for Life West Coast in San Francisco,
while across the country in Washington,
D.C., demonstrators braved frigid
temperatures and snowfall for the 51st
annual March for Life.
“This is how dedicated we are to our
faith,” said Cecilia Hernandez, 14, who
attended OneLife LA with her mom,
Rosario. “The fact that we’re out here
in the pouring rain, it’s below 60 degrees.
It just shows how much we care.”
“God gives us all challenges, only to
make us stronger,” said Buzz Wallick,
who walked with his pregnant wife,
Mary. “It’s just a little wet. Who cares?
And as you can see, everyone rose to
the occasion and rose to the challenge.”
“As long as we can keep the baby dry,
I’m going to go,” joked Allan Herrera,
their friend from Holy Family Church
in Glendale who was pushing his
young son, Dominic, in a stroller.
***
Los Angeles Archbishop José H.
Gomez kicked off the event at the state
park by reminding people that celebrating
life meant treating people, no
matter their color, class, or condition,
with tenderness.
14 • ANGELUS • February 9, 2024