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Hoosiers against abortion explain why they March for Life

Children hold a banner as they lead a walk during the Indiana March for Life, which drew about 400 people to a two-block march and rally at the Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018.

Since 1973, thousands of people have been marching and rallying in Washington D.C. each year to protest the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion

On Monday afternoon, that united stance against abortion came to the heart of Indianapolis for the first time. 

"We've had separate events in the past, and we decided we would combine it into one large march for the first time … this is huge," said Marc Tuttle, president of Right to Life of Indianapolis. "We’ve been doing a better job protecting women and protecting children from the ravages of abortion, but we need to send a message to our legislature that we can do better.

"There is no reason that any woman should have to make that horrible choice."

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Beginning on Georgia Street and ending at the steps of the Indiana Statehouse, the Indiana March for Life and rally saw hundreds of people take on the wet and chilly conditions to make their voices heard.

It was part of a full day of anti-abortion events that began with Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church. Organizers also held a memorial for the unborn at the Indiana Statehouse, and a youth rally/holy hour back at St. John the Evangelist Church.

During Friday's 45th March for Life in Washington D.C., President Donald Trump called on the Senate to pass a bill outlawing abortions after 20 weeks, telling thousands of anti-abortion protesters in the Rose Garden that late-term abortions are "wrong and it has to change."

Here's why marchers who took part in the inaugural Indiana say they choose to March for Life. 

Paula Voglewede of Brownsburg

"We don't want any abortions happening. We want to speak for the unborn and to be able to show that on the streets of indianapolis. Sometimes I think that people don't understand that life begins with conception. And even though the child is so small at that point … it's still a child, and the child has no say at this point. It is life, and God has created all of us in the image and likeness of him. So everyone should have the chance to grow up and live that life." - Paula Voglewede, Brownsburg

Pam Cole of Delphi

"I first got involved because I teach preschoolers. And I can't stand to think of some of those kids in my class being murdered by abortions." - Pam Cole, Delphi

Ranee Pritz of Cicero

"I was raised in the Lutheran Church and i was taught the Ten Commandments. And the 5th Commandment is thou shalt not kill. So I believe firmly in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he does not want us to kill anybody. He wants us to love all people, and that’s why I'm here. To support God." - Ranee Pritz, Cicero

"Our culture tells us that abortion empowers women. That abortion is what will bring us liberation. I watched Saturday as many of my fellow women were coerced into believing the lies of Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry ... I reject the premise that abortion sets women free. Because abortion is the opposite of empowerment and it has no place in the feminist movement. In fact I would argue that you cannot call yourself a feminist and call yourself pro-choice." - Anna Allgaier, regional coordinator for Student for Life of America. Allgaier referred to Saturday's Women's March, which took place across the country, including Indianapolis

Derin Stidd of Indianapolis

"I'm here to bring awareness to House Bill 1097 which is protection at conception. All of these people out here are pro-life, but one of the things i think a lot of the people in the pro-life community don't recognize is that our pro-life representatives are blocking legislation that would put an end to abortion in the state of Indiana. We’re very much in support of putting an end to abortion. We just think it needs to happen now." - Derin Stidd, Indianapolis

Heidi Pezdek of Rushville

"We stand for the sanctity of life beginning at birth and to the grave. We believe that we need to stand up for life and we need to do it at the statehouse. Pay attention to the bills being passed and make that impact on our culture. We are so excited that people are coming together for this because that is what it's going to take. There are a lot of people who will have different ways they will go about attacking abortion. But if we unite together, we’ll get it done." - Heidi Pezdek, Rushville

USA Today contributed to this story. Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.