More than 30 Whidbey Island residents traveled by bus to the state capital for the annual March for Life in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

The trip was sponsored by the Saint Hubert Council of Knights of Columbus and the Respect Life Group. Saint Hubert, Saint Mary and Saint Augustine participants joined 2,500 others before the march to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Peter Sartain at St. Michael Church. The Archbishop later led the opening prayer of the rally on the Capitol steps.

Several legislators addressed the crowd, estimated to be more than 9,000, with announcements of legislation for parental notification and to stop state funding of abortion clinics. Participants were urged to speak up against abortion funding through the program Take Charge.

March for Life is one of the largest annual rallies in the state capital.