It was a frigid 20°F that greeted pro-lifers by the north steps of the Nebraska State Capitol on Saturday morning. Most of them were bundled up warmly, but nine young men came shirtless, with “we (heart) babies” written on their torsos in pink and blue body paint. The Walk for Life, now in its 49th year, is sponsored by Nebraska Right to Life, and Saturday’s rally was the first such event in Nebraska since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022.
Six or seven counter-protestors showed up as well, one of them screaming obscenities from across the street. This seemed to elicit a heavenly bequeath from Pastor Arin Hess, who gave the opening prayer as the screaming went on — “we ask you Our Father that you might take and silence the voices of evil,” he said, drawing a few chuckles from the crowd.
Gov. Jim Pillen addressed the crowd for the first time this year, and like many of the speakers, he mentioned the “Nebraska Heartbeat Act” (LB 626) sponsored by State Senator Joni Albrecht, which will be before the HHS Committee in the legislature on February 1. “Remember, the Heartbeat Bill has lots of work ahead in the coming days and weeks,” Pillen said. “Just remember, all of us make a difference.”
Both of Nebraska’ US Senators made comments as well. Deb Fischer said “Dobbs was a tremendous victory. It was the result of hard work of heart and a commitment to a noble movement, but we have more work to do.” She also called out Vice-President Kamala Harris for omitting the “right to life” when quoting the Declaration of Independence in a speech on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. “We know that in this Declaration our Founders acknowledge our creator, and they acknowledged that life — life — is the first commitment in the Declaration of Independence.”
Pete Ricketts, recently appointed by Gov. Pillen to replace Ben Sasse, touted three pro-life bills he has since co-sponsored. The “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act” would codify the Hyde Amendment into law, the “SAVE Moms and Babies Act” would restrict abortifacient drugs, and the “Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act” would restrict minors from being taken across state lines to receive abortions.
Congressman Mike Flood (NE-01) commented on the recently-passed “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” which he voted in favor of, but 210 Democrats voted against. “What has it come to in Washington,” Flood said, “when over 200 Democrats voted against a bill that says during an abortion, if that baby is alive at the end, that child deserves Medical Care. That is a sad commentary on what we are experiencing across this country.”
Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) said, “We were very close to disaster in November of 2022. The president, who’s the most pro-abortion president we’ve ever had, he said ‘give me two more senators, hold the house, and we’ll pass a law that mandates the abortion on demand until birth in all 5o states.’ We came within one senator and four congressmen of that happening.” He also asked attendees to thank Henry Cuellar (TX-28), the lone Democrat who voted in favor of the “Born-Alive Act.”
Nebraska’s new Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Auditor Mike Foley also addressed the crowd.
State Senator Joni Albrecht was on hand along with several other Senators to show support for the Nebraska Heartbeat Act — Lou Ann Linehan, Julie Slama, Rita Sanders, Brian Hardin, Rob Clements, John Arch, Jana Hughes, Rick Holdcroft, Teresa Ibach, Brad von Gillern, Bruce Bostelman, Loren Lippincott, John Lowe, and Suzanne Geist. “I can’t tell you how much it means to all of us State Senators who are taking lots of grief for this bill,” Albrecht said, “but if it has a heartbeat, it’s not going to be aborted in the state of Nebraska.” Albrecht previously introduced a preemptive “trigger bill” in 2022 that would have banned abortion ban in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy once Roe v. Wade was overturned, but it failed to break through a filibuster in the legislature.
Cole Lumsden, President of the Nebraska High School Republicans, shared the stage with three fellow students. “It’s not easy being in high school and being pro-life these days. that’s why we are so grateful for everyone that’s here today.” Lumsden said. “I’m here to tell you today that there is a next generation of pro-life leaders that is waiting in the wings to restore American’s soul.”
The final speaker at the rally was Dr. John Bruchalski, a former abortion doctor turned pro-life activist. “It was your prayer that your witness that helped me change my heart on performing abortions to converting to life-affirming Medicine,” he said, gesturing at an inscription on the northern wall of the Nebraska State Capitol. “You are the salvation of the state of Nebraska. You are the watchfulness of the citizens.”
Pastor Derek Geist, a youth pastor at Mercy City Church and the son of Senator Suzanne Geist, gave the closing prayer before the ceremonial release of pink and blue balloons. Then, the attendees walked from the capitol toward UN-L campus along 14th Street, where other events took place in the Student Union.
Live-Stream Video courtesy of Nebraska Right to Life
- Walk for Life speakers at the Nebraska State Capitol
- Program at the UN-L Student Union with Dr. John Bruchalski
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