Thousands rallied Friday in Washington, D.C. against abortion for the national “March for Life” event. This year marks 50 years since the first nationwide march took place in opposition to Roe v. Wade.

Joseph Zitz, 15, went down to Washington, D.C. for the annual gathering, the first time he has attended. Zitz has been side-by-side with his mother protesting against abortion for 10 years, including outside of Planned Parenthood in Poughkeepsie. He attends a private Catholic high school and is part of his school’s “Respect Life Club.”

“For any young people out there, they should know that, life is valuable,” the Poughkeepsie teen said. “And even though you might not know until you have children of your own when you’re older, that every life is important especially the unborn because they can’t speak for themselves.”

What You Need To Know

  • This year marks 50 years of the nationwide march against abortion known as "March for Life," and is happening against the backdrop of a post-Roe America

  • Abortion opponent, Joseph Zitz, 15, is heading down to Washington, D.C. for the first time to take part with his high school classmates

  • Sunday will mark the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which was overturned nearly seven months ago
  • According to the Public Religion Research Institute nearly six in 10 people between the ages of 18 to 29 say abortion should be legal in most or all cases

He and the group are finding ways to help women who experience unplanned pregnancies by donating clothes to maternity homes or pregnancy care centers for people in need. For Zitz, this year’s march is more than a celebration.

“Even though that Roe has been overturned, there is still a lot more work to be done,” Zitz said. “It is a celebration in a way, but even though that it is up to the states now, there are still some states that are allowing it. Our goal is to have abortion stopped completely.”

Abortion continues to remain safe and legal in New York.

Zitz’s mother, Joanne, said the fight is about more than just holding a sign.

“Actions speak louder than words, and that’s what he’s doing with his pro-life group,” she said.

She said she is thrilled about her son attending the March for Life.

“Women deserve better than abortion,” she said. “We believe abortion hurts women, and that we can help them through education, through support, through the process of pregnancy, putting them in touch with maternity homes, pregnancy care centers.”

Younger Americans are far more likely to support abortion rights than not, compared to older Americans, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Nearly six in 10 people between the ages of 18 to 29 say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, including Gen Zer, Cecelia Vasquez.

“I’ve had some friends that have had pregnancy scares,” Vasquez said. “And none of us are ready right now to be parents, or to support another life so that’s why it’s important to me to have these rights for us as young women.”

Vasquez, 21 of Newburgh, said she’s focused on college and her full-time job. She says she wants to fight for a future in which she and other women can continue to have abortion access.

“It’s terrifying that Roe v. Wade has been overturned,” Vasquez said. “God forbid I got pregnant, I would love to have that opportunity to have an abortion. I would not want to put a child through having a mother who didn’t want it, or suffering because I couldn’t afford to provide for that child.”

Zitz said he couldn’t disagree more.

“I believe that motherhood is a gift that all women should experience, and that it is our job to guide them through that journey,” he said.