Indy Standard

Ahead of the 2025 National March for Life in Washington, D.C., U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are advocating for the protection of First Amendment rights for pro-life Americans visiting the capital.

During the 2023 March for Life, individuals identifying as pro-life, including students and children, reportedly faced harassment from Smithsonian Institution employees and security officers at the National Archives Museum.

To prevent similar incidents this year, Senators Young and Cruz wrote to Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and Dr. Colleen Shogan, Archivist of the United States. They sought assurances that such conduct would not recur.

In 2023, a group of students from South Carolina was allegedly mocked and expelled by Smithsonian employees for wearing pro-life apparel at the National Air and Space Museum. This matter concluded with a settlement in March 2024.

The senators requested that the Smithsonian Institution commit to following constitutional guidelines and settlement terms to prevent future occurrences. "The full text of the letter from the senators to the Smithsonian Institution can be found here."

Additionally, during the same event in 2023, pro-life individuals from Illinois were reportedly instructed to cover or remove their attire by security at the National Archives Museum. A civil case was settled in February 2023 with NARA being “enjoined from prohibiting visitors from wearing t-shirts, hats, buttons, etc., that display protest language, including religious and political speech.” This injunction expired on January 19, 2025.

Senators Young and Cruz expressed concern in their letter to Dr. Shogan that NARA might revert to its previous conduct due to this expiration. They asked NARA to ensure all personnel respect First Amendment rights.

"Read more about the senators’ efforts to protect the First Amendment rights of pro-life Americans here."