Hundreds gather for first Oklahoma March for Life

OKLAHOMA CITY – The chilly morning air blew through the crowd as they huddled at the bottom of the north steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol. More than 500 people gathered for the inaugural Oklahoma March for Life on Jan. 22.

“We’ve been involved with life issues for so many years and I felt that we needed to be out here and stand up for life,” said Dale Dirkschneider as he clutched a poster he made with pictures of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The poster read, “Your baby is made in the image and likeness of God.”

Dirkschneider was there with his wife, Stella. She said they watched the national March for Life on television the day before, and always support pro-life causes. They are parishioners at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. 

Gunner Fullbright attended the Oklahoma March for Life with his wife, Olivia Fullbright, who cradled their 3-month-old daughter Rosalyn. They drove from Stillwater and are Nazarene.

“We just want to increase the numbers so that people know that there are a lot of people out here who care and want to make a difference,” Olivia Fullbright said. “I think a lot of people think that they’re alone in their feelings. They don’t realize there’s a lot of people who care.” 

Jillian and Sean Chapman, parishioners at Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, were there to support and announce life. 

“I’m 10 weeks pregnant. Our baby has fingers, a heartbeat, toes, eyelids, teeth and a right to life,” read Jillian Chapman’s poster. She thought twice before having her photo taken because people didn’t know she was pregnant. It turned out to be a great day to make the announcement. 

Sean Chapman’s sign read, “Science confirms life begins at conception.” 

Prior to the walk, there was prayer, words of encouragement and truth.

“We believe every single child is precious and every single child has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said.  

Lankford walked in the national March for Life the day before in Washington D.C. and said this is the year the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision will be at the forefront. 

“I believe a post-Roe America is coming very soon. It doesn’t end abortion in every place in the country. It only says to every state, like ours, you get to make the decision,” he said. “We believe every child is worthy of life.”
Rocio Montes, from Enid, said she was there to speak about the truth of life. She said human life must be protected from the moment of conception, and the “wonderful gift of life is a gift given by God.” 

“If I don’t believe in God, I don’t believe I’m God’s creation. I won’t be able to see others as God’s creation, and that is where the problems of humanity begin,” she said. “All of us together can build a civilization of love.”

Rev. Todd Fisher, executive director of the Oklahoma Baptists, said when people think of the unborn, they also should consider the Lord Jesus. 

“Today, we find ourselves in the most crucial of time in the fight against abortion, and for the protection of unborn children. I want to declare this simple statement: We stand for life,” he said. “Our pro-life efforts are all about helping people have life; and have it more abundantly. It was Jesus who taught us the golden rule. We are to treat others the way we want to be treated and that … principle certainly has application in protecting the most vulnerable among us – the unborn.”

Fisher said, “All of human life at every single stage is sacred,” and called on people to think about what they can do next.

“God calls us to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and today we are doing just that, but what can you do in addition to marching for life?”

He spoke of volunteering in local pregnancy health ministries, foster care, adoption and combining efforts with people at church to give, pray and serve. 

The final speaker of the morning was Tulsa Bishop David Konderla, who drew loud applause before his talk. Bishop Konderla said his comments were formed by two experiences from his ministry work. One was a 17-year battle in Texas to close down an abortuary. The other was from working for 19 years in post abortion healing. 

He said the experiences taught him about being resolved to “never accept the lie that there is such a thing anywhere in the universe as a right to abortion. It does not exist.” He said people have to “man the walls” outside of abortuaries to let the people and workers going there know that other people are praying for them and “to elect people who will pass legislation for life.” 

“In this fight for the soul of the nation there is only one enemy, and the enemy is not the one who has had an abortion. It’s not the father of the child who is aborted. … The enemy against this nation is the devil,”
Bishop Konderla said.

“Jesus Christ died to save all of us who were lost. If we give our lives to him and live our public, civic lives as subjects of his kingdom, he will win our battle against abortion and any other evil that we face. So, let us march today and let our march steel our resolve to be the hands and the feet of Jesus who will restore a culture of life and love to our society. Let’s get walking!”

The two-mile march began at the capitol building and ended in Midtown. 

Dana Attocknie is managing editor of the Sooner Catholic. 


Photo: Hundreds of people attended the inaugural Oklahoma March for Life on Jan. 22 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Photo Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.

Click HERE to view more photos.  


Pro-Life Ministries


Marriage and Family Life Ministry - archokc.org/life

Project Gabriel - projectgabrielok.org
A parish-based ministry supported by Catholic Charities that provides support, resources, supplies and references for women struggling with crisis pregnancies.

40 Days for Life - 40daysforlife.com 
An international, religiously-based pro-life advocacy group that campaigns against abortion in more than 20 nations worldwide. Find OKC vigils and information at 40daysforlife/OKC.

Rose Day - roseday.life
Rose Day is held at the Oklahoma State Capitol at the beginning of the legislative session each year. Hundreds of pro-life advocates meet with their state senators and representatives, and present them red roses representing the sanctity of the unborn. 

March for Life - marchforlife.org
The national March for Life is held each year in Washington D.C. It is the largest pro-life event in the world. It is held on Jan. 22, the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal.

Students for Life - studentsforlife.org
Students for Life of America is the nation’s largest youth pro-life organization. It is dedicated to training and equipping college, high school, middle school, medical school and law school students to defend the preborn and help young mothers on their campuses. 

St. Catherine’s miscarriage and infant loss ministry - St. Catherine's healing ministry
St. Catherine’s miscarriage and infant loss ministry meets 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Epiphany of the Lord, 7336 W. Britton Rd. in Oklahoma City, on the third Monday of every month. Call (405) 618-2402.

Holy Innocents' Chapel - holyinnocentsokc.org
Holy Innocents’ Foundation Chapel, 6114 N.W. 63, offers perpetual adoration with the goal of bringing about an end to abortion. To sign up as a committed adorer or to volunteer, visit holyinnocentsokc.org.

Willow Pregnancy Support - willowpregnancy.org 
Willow Pregnancy Support is a nonprofit, interdenominational charitable organization that provides medical services, community resources and free pregnancy testing and limited ultrasounds. Locations in Oklahoma City, Bethany and Edmond. Contact (405) 631-4477.