My impressions were
1) I thought the overall crowd was a little larger this year, perhaps due to the weather. Apart from the two women who stripped their tops off and rushed the speakers podium yelling "liar" when Cardinal Thomas Collins was speaking, it was a quieter affair than last year.
2) There was very little singing and chanting by the young people that I experienced and enjoyed in other years. A group of Filipinos were singing hymns and we joined in with them. There were many families with kids, particularly moms with strollers. I enjoyed the Pro-Life Mass at St. Theresa's given by Bishop Mulhall of Pembroke.
3) There seemed to be more clergy and fewer politicians than last year but I could be mistaken. I guess there were no Liberals there after Justin Trudeau's rant that pro-lifers are not welcome in the Liberal party and will be screened out. There were 8 or more archbishops and bishops and 2 cardinals. I met several Anglican lay people there and saw at least one group of muslims walking with a sign.
4) All in all it was a good feeling. Everyone felt that they had made their point. Both CJOH and CBOT showed excerpts during their 6 pm news with the caption "is anyone listening?" My congrats to the organizers and appreciation to the sponsors and all the pro-lifers who turned out. Thanks too to the KofC 3rd and 4th degree groups in Arnprior and Renfrew for sponsoring the free bus.
Here are a few pics.
