On March 25, 2025, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and the TFP-staffed St. Louis de Montfort Academy joined New York City pro-lifers for the annual International Gift of Life Walk down Broadway Avenue. With bagpipes and a marching band, the American TFP came to show its support for the march, which has often been interrupted by radical counter-protesters.
This year, New York City’s auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne spoke at the initial rally in Foley Square Park. John Ritchie of TFP Student Action was also invited to speak. His inspiring speech is reproduced below:
Your Excellency Bishop Byrne, reverend fathers, ladies and gentlemen.
Those who say “Yes!” to God’s will change history.
Those who say “maybe” never change history.
Only those who say yes—with faith and heroic courage—change history.
And you are all here because you said yes: I will fight against abortion. I will be the voice of the voiceless. I will stand up for the right to life. I will face the scorn and mockery of the “tolerant” ones, and I will march to make abortion unthinkable in New York City. And unthinkable in every city.
Are you ready to march?
Today is the feast of the Annunciation. We celebrate the greatest “yes” in history—when Saint Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary and delivered a sublime message. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” (Luke 1:28). Our redemption began in the womb of Our Lady with that simple prayer: the first Hail Mary. And her “yes” changed history.
Saint Luke tells us what Saint Gabriel said:
“Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
And Mary responded:
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”
At that moment, the Incarnation of Our Lord took place. It was the most beautiful “yes” in history. Our redemption was secured. Our Lady’s “yes” changed history.
Reflecting on the Annunciation, Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira said:
“With the Incarnation of the Word, God was preparing to rescue the world.”
Christ is King of the world by right, and He also became King by conquest. Our Lord conquered the world on the Cross. In this special way, He established His kingship over the world.
As soldiers of Christ, as friends of the Cross, it is fitting that we engage in this spiritual battle. And today, you are on the front lines of the battle, fighting for the unborn.
As you know, New York City is a dangerous place for babies in the womb. According to Planned Parenthood, the socialist mayor has pledged $65 million to expand abortion access in New York City. Another $65 million will go to expand so-called gender-affirming care, which is neither moral nor caring.
Why is this International Gift of Life Walk so needed and urgent? Because more innocent lives are at risk. More children are threatened by gender ideology. The crisis is real, and the future of this city depends on good souls like you—brave souls who will not bend to the culture of death.
Are you ready to march?
Please remember: Nothing—absolutely nothing—can justify the intentional killing of an innocent person, a life created in the image and likeness of God. One abortion is too many. We must therefore pray and act to end the sin of abortion.
When we pray and act, God answers us.
As you know, Roe v. Wade was finally overturned.
Planned Parenthood’s Manhattan headquarters on Bleecker St. closed down.
The president of the National Abortion Federation told CNN recently: “Running a clinic in an environment like we have today is oftentimes not sustainable.”
In 2025 alone, because of peaceful protests, 54 abortion clinics closed down.
In a moment, we will be marching down Broadway—it’s called the Canyon of Heroes for a reason. Broadway has witnessed victory parades—historic parades. But today’s march will be different.
It will be prayerful.
It will be sacrificial.
It will be an act of reparation to God.
But this march will also speak of a future victory:
the victory of good over evil,
the victory of truth over falsehood,
The triumph of life over death.
Who will win this battle?
The answer is: It depends.
It depends on who leads us.
Saint Michael has the best track record. He never lost a battle—and he is not about to start now.
We are fighting a moral and spiritual battle. Politics alone can’t turn America around. And money doesn’t convert sinners into saints.
If you ever get tempted to think that we are few, that we are inconsequential, that we are not enough to make an impact—think again. We have Saint Michael the Archangel at our side. Above all, we have the Blessed Mother, whose pure and humble “yes” changed history forever and defeated the forces of darkness.
New York City may be large—but the truth is stronger.
Darkness may seem powerful—but it will not prevail.
The gates of hell will never win against the Church.
So, as you march, call on Saint Michael.
As you march, pray the Hail Mary.
As you march, remember that the other side is no match for God.
The culture of death is no match for Saint Michael.
The final victory belongs to the Virgin Mary.
On behalf of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and the St. Louis de Montfort Academy, I would like to thank Mrs. Dawn Eskew for giving us the opportunity to march shoulder to shoulder with you in this noble cause.
And if we stand faithful…if we refuse to say “maybe,”…if we have the courage to say “Yes!”…then we too will share in God’s final victory.
God bless you!