Washington D.C. mandate exposes March for Life's hypocrisy; raises questions

Organizers for the 49th annual national March for Life in Washington D.C. notified its expo exhibitors at the beginning of this month of the expo’s cancelation. March for Life cited the Washington D.C. mandate requiring participants at indoor activities to provide proof of COVID vaccination or to have a negative COVID test within 24 hours of the event if they claim medical or religious exemptions. Exhibitors were sent an email stating:

“Due to many COVID-related complications, the March for Life Expo is unfortunately cancelled this year. As you may have seen, the Mayor of Washington D.C. recently announced that beginning on Saturday, January 15th, 2022, a COVID vaccine mandate will be going into effect for indoor event spaces throughout the city, including our hotel’s meeting rooms and expo hall. In the wake of this policy and given the volume of expo attendees we expected, we sadly find it necessary to close the Expo Hall and issue full refunds to you, our valued exhibitor.”

The mandate issued from the mayor’s office reads, in part, “Starting on January 15, 2022, the following establishments and facilities shall not permit a guest, visitor, or customer over twelve (12) years old to enter their indoor premises without displaying proof of vaccination against COVID-19……indoor event and meeting establishments, including hotel common rooms, banquet halls, conference centers meeting facilities, convention centers, auditoriums, shared work facilities.” There is, however, a caveat in the order which many have argued the March for Life should take advantage of and promote as opposed to encouraging the vaccines. The exception in the mandate reads, “a person entitled by law to a reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief.”

The Renaissance Hotel, where the Expo was scheduled to be held, sent an email to those with reservations that read, in part:

“If you are unable to take the vaccine due to a medical or religious exemption and still wish to enter our outlet space, please follow these important guidelines. For a medical exemption, you will need to have documentation from a medical provider. Religious exemptions will be communicated verbally upon check-in to the hotel. All patrons with an exemption will be required to show photo identification and documentation of a negative PCR or antigen test within the last 24 hours in order to enter the meeting space, restaurants and gym. Acceptable documentation includes digital results from a healthcare provider or a photo of the negative test from an at home kit.”

Although it sounds like a legitimate reason to cancel the Expo in an effort to avoid requiring attendees to prove they have been injected with the abortion tainted vaccine, something does not smell right about the decision. The reason the March for Life organizers stated in their email regarding the cancelation was because of the mandate and for the number of people expected to attend. Let’s take a look at both of these reasons and we can soon realize why many people are questioning the roots of the decision.

The cancelation of the March for Life Expo could not possibly be the result of the mayor’s mandate because the March for Life has chosen to comply with the mandate and require attendees to prove their abortion tainted vaccine status, or negative COVID test, in order to attend the Rose Gala Dinner, which earns the March for Life $5,000 per table. Additionally, there is an option to watch the Rose Gala for $25 online.

The Rose Gala is not the only event the March for Life is hosting indoors and complying with the mayor’s mandate to require proof of vaccination or negative test. March for Life officials have also combined the two Capitol Hill 101 panel discussions into one event. Those attending the Capitol Hill 101 panel discussions will also be required to comply with the mandate and show proof of vaccination status.

The Pro-Life summit, targeting high school and college students, will still be held. On the other hand, the organizers of the Pro-Life summit have not mentioned the need for proof of vaccination. They will be offering rapid tests at the entry for those who are wanting to have one, but the organizers have not mentioned proof of vaccination.

Considering the only event canceled is the Expo, the true reason could not possibly be because of the mayor’s vaccine mandate alone because all other events will continue to be held and will require proof of vaccination or a negative test.

The statement sent via email to exhibitors says it is also because of the expected high number of individuals attending the Expo is one of the reasons they canceled it. That, in logic, does not seem to make much sense either. It does not take a lot of time to check a person’s ID and their negative test, vaccine card, or whatever you are going to require. The only way that an expected high volume of people attending is the reason they canceled it is that organizers do not want to bother with checking the vaccination requirements or negative results for those attending. It seems like they are willing to bother checking it for a $5,000 table event, but not for an event where attendees can get resources, make connections with organizations, and strengthen their advocacy for pro-life for free. Although exhibitors paid for a table at the Expo, which will be reimbursed by March for Life, admission to the event is free and enables crucial networking for all those attending. It is that networking and empowerment that is lost due to the cancelation.

It is difficult to understand why an event such as March for Life, which has the sole purpose of opposing abortion and working to save unborn lives, would cower to governmental mandates and not speak up against an abortion tainted vaccine. The March for Life had an incredible opportunity to use its platform and voice to oppose the use of vaccines tainted by abortion when the mandate was issued. The mandate, I suspect, was intended to purposefully limit the activities and advocacy of the March for Life, but could have been used as a catalyst by March for Life to promote the need for a vaccine without the use of aborted cell lines. The March for Life could have easily required people to bring their ID, along with a negative COVID-19 test, for admission for all their events rather than even mentioning the need to have a vaccination card. In fact, where is the public statement from March for Life opposing the abortion tainted vaccines? They have issued statements on things such as President Biden’s budget but have not gone on record opposing a vaccine that profits off abortion. The March for Life could have staged a silent protest against an abortion tainted vaccine by simply telling its participants to be willing to provide proof of a negative covid test regardless if they are vaccinated or not and, therefore, would have silently (but in a loud manner) sent the message they oppose such a vaccine and will not recognize it. Sadly, however, I suspect in truth they do not oppose the abortion tainted vaccine, as evidenced by their actions.

Although it is unclear the true motive behind canceling the Expo, which is typically the most beneficial event not just for attendees but for exhibitors as well, it is certain the March for Life should provide a clearer understanding as to their reasoning for canceling the Expo by using the vaccine mandate as a reason, but seemingly not allowing the mandate to impact any other event. The only thing clear regarding the March for Life’s decision is there needs to be a clearer explanation. Meanwhile, we will continue to wait for March for Life to condemn the use of abortion tainted vaccines as well.