Thousands March in Downtown LA to Celebrate God's Gift of Life

News Staff : Jan 25, 2016
OneLife LA

It was said to be the largest SoCal event of its kind.

(Los Angeles, CA)—More than 15,000 Southern Californians, and a diverse roster of local and international speakers and celebrities, joined Archbishop Jose H. Gomez at OneLife LA, on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. OneLife LA, the only large-scale event that celebrates the beauty and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death, drew thousands throughout Southern California. (Photo via PR Newswire)

"OneLife LA means sharing the love of God with others—especially those who are poor and forgotten, and those who are alone and excluded," said Archbishop Gomez. "With God's love—there are no boundaries, no borders, no barriers. Let's keep building our friendships and together let us build a Los Angeles that welcomes life and serves life and celebrates life."

OneLife LA seeks to promote a culture of life, where every human life is valued, especially the marginalized. Events marked the 43rd anniversary of Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

International pop star Alexander Acha took the stage at OneLife LA and introduced keynote speaker, Nick Vujicic, who travels around the world sharing his powerful story of challenges and blessings despite being born without limbs, spoke about his passion for life and achieving victory over his struggles through faith. "If God can use a man without arms and legs to be Hishands and feet, then He will certainly use any willing heart," said Vujicic. His deep-rooted faith helped him see his disability as a blessing and formed the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs when he was 17 years old.

Local hero, retired LAUSD school teacher, Millicent "Mama" Hill spoke about founding Mama Hill's Help out of her living room in Watts to keep kids off the streets and focused on education.

Other OneLife LA speakers and presenters included:

• Emmy award winning actress Patricia Heaton, who is an outspoken advocate for life. She currently stars as Frankie Heck in the ABC sitcom, The Middle. Her brilliant career includes starring roles in film, television, and stage.

• James J. Hanson, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, husband and father to a two-year-old son, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, and has survived long after his doctors predicted. He is an advocate for public policy changes on behalf of patients and assists with fundraising efforts to support cutting-edge clinical research that is crucial for finding a cure to this terrible disease.

• Emcees of the event were international speaker Lianna Rebolledo, founder of Loving Life, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent domestic violence and abuse, and actor Danny Jacobs, best known as the voice of King Julien on The Penguins of Madagascar and its sequels, and the Netflix series All Hail King Julien.

Attendees had the chance to donate their hair to an organization that creates hairpieces for disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. Other organizations present were those dedicated to create human trafficking awareness and education, as well as service projects sign-ups, and collection of clothing and toiletries for victims.

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