VA-March-for-life-banner-2020

Virginia March for Life 2020

About this event:

Join Bishop Michael Burbidge and Diocese of Richmond Bishop Barry Knestout and many other concerned Virginians in the fight for life in our home state on Thursday, February 13, 2020.  It is critical that we take a stand and stop pro-abortion extremism in Virginia!

The morning will begin with a Mass, con-celebrated by both Virginia Bishops.  After, marchers have the opportunity to visit their local General Assembly member offices, followed by a rally and the second annual March for Life at the Virginia State Capitol.

 Featured coverage from the Arlington Catholic Herald:

 

March for Life with us again, in Richmond!

Schedule:

  • 9:15 a.m. Mass at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, concelebrated by the Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond, and the Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington

  • 10:30 a.m. Visit your Virginia General Assembly member offices 
    ** VCC will be providing talking points and advocacy tools**

  • 11:45 a.m. Rally, Virginia State Capitol, 1000 Bank St. Richmond, VA 23219
    (In front of Capitol steps)  

  • 12:45 p.m. March for Life at the Virginia State Capitol. March begins at the Capitol steps

Print the Virginia March for Life 2020 schedule

General Event Information FAQs

Review the FAQs below for information about bus drop off location, parking, office visits, and more

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Is registration required?

No; registration is not required, but is encouraged! There are no tickets for this event - we hope every pro-life Virginian will attend! The registration link can be found here.


What are parking options for vehicles?

Please note there is no public parking on the Capitol Square grounds.

We recommend you arrive early, as we are expecting a crowd of several thousand people, and we encourage you to allow enough time for parking and walking to the rally site.

We recommend parking at the Greater Richmond Convention Center - it is a just a 10 minute walk to the Capitol Square grounds. The address for the Parking Garage of the Convention Center is 351 N. Third St., Richmond, VA 23219. More detailed directions can be found HERE. Cost is $7.00 per vehicle for the entire day.

Public Parking: A limited number of metered public parking spaces (2 hours) are on Bank Street, between Governor and 14th Streets, on the south side of Main Street, between 9th and 12th Streets and on 12th Street between Main and Bank Streets.

Pay parking lots and decks are nearby on 8th and Grace Streets and 7th and Marshall Streets.

Downloadable maps of nearby parking lots and decks are available, as well as rates for these areas.

Where should our buses drop off and pick up participants?

Those attending Mass:
The Greater Richmond Convention Center is located on 403 N 3rd Street, a few blocks from the Capitol and the rally location so it will be easily walkable.  Buses can drop off at the Convention Center entrance located on 5th street. The Mass will take place in the Grand Ballroom.

Those NOT attending Mass are encouraged to be dropped off by 10:30am: 
The address of Capitol Square is 1000 Bank Street. Buses should drop off groups on 9th Street, next to Capitol Square, between Bank St. and Grace St.  For handicap and stroller accessibility, participants should be dropped off at Grace St. and N 9th St.

THE PICK UP LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED:
Due to requests by Capitol Police, buses will now be parking at Browns Island.  Parking for Buses will be along 5th street between Byrd and Tredegar and the Federal Reserve lot between 5th and 7th streets along Byrd and Tredegar.

Bus pick up will not be permitted after the event. A shuttle service will be provided after the March (between 2:00- 3:00pm) to transport groups from Capitol Square to their buses at Browns Island.  Groups also have the option to walk back to Browns Island after the march (about 7 blocks from the Capitol, and downhill). Group leaders will need to have direct phone or text communication with their drivers, since buses will not be able to park on or next to Capitol Square.

Attendees are encouraged to visit their legislators after the March. 

Is bus parking available?

Buses may park at Browns Island, about 1 mile from the drop off at Capitol Square.  Parking for Buses will be along 5th street between Byrd and Tredegar and the Federal Reserve lot between 5th and 7th streets along Byrd and Tredegar.

If the Browns Island parking fills up, there is additional overflow bus parking available at the Diamond Green Lot, located at 3001 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23230.

Will signs be provided?

We encourage you to be creative and bring your own signs! It is likely that many groups will have signs available as well. You can find sign ideas at March for Life.

Note:  Signs on sticks are not permitted on Capitol Grounds.

Can I visit my Legislator?

Yes! We encourage you to make your voice heard as a constituent! Look up your representative.

The member's offices are located in the Pocahontas Building, located at 900 East Main Street (across the street from Capitol Square).  Before entering, all visitors are screened by a magnetometer and all items that are permitted inside the building are screened by an x-ray device.

When can I make office visits?

There is time both before and after the March to visit the offices of your State Senator or Delegate. 

The Virginia Catholic Conference has advocacy materials and information to know before you visit offices!

Members start caucus meetings at 11:00am, so we recommend arriving at Pocahontas either early in the morning, or after the March in the afternoon.