DETROIT — In two weeks’ time, thousands upon thousands of people will descend upon our nation’s capital, marching in solidarity with the victims of the greatest social conflict of our time.

Every year, thousands of demonstrators take part in the March for Life, the largest pro-life demonstration in the country, speaking out against the injustice of abortion. And no cause inspires such emotion and dedication, especially among the youth.

“I first went on the March for Life when I was in the fifth grade, and from that point on I have gone every year but one,” said Irene Wilson, a Royal Oak native who attends the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and whose Life Club will host students from the Archdiocese of Detroit during this year’s march, which will take place Jan. 27.

“It’s an event that absolutely changes your entire perspective on the pro-life movement,” Wilson said. “Seeing thousands of people both young and old who are all there to support one another in this fight for basic human rights is one of the most powerful experiences I’ve had.”

Since 1973, when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion nationwide, pro-lifers have gathered in January to mark the somber anniversary, with many being repeat marchers.

John Greene, a senior at Notre Dame Preparatory in Pontiac and vice president of the school’s Champions for Life, said the overwhelming number and diversity of people who march inspires him to keep coming back.

“The goal (of the march) is to cause real change,” Greene said. “One of the most important things I can do to help this change is to come and show that I still hold firm in my beliefs. This is important to me because life is a precious gift from God. The current ruling removes an unborn human being’s right to life. This is unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to bring this to an end.”

While the event refuels returning marchers’ belief in the cause, first-time marchers are often awed by the depth and breadth of support for the pro-life movement across the country.

“When I attended the March for Life for the first time in 2015, I was shocked at the amount of young people that had come out to support the pro-life cause,” said Ellie Ward of Bishop Foley High School in Madison Heights. “I was able to represent my views to my country and be part of a historic movement.”

Nearly 950 tickets have been distributed for young people from the Archdiocese of Detroit to attend a youth rally and Mass the morning of the march at the Verizon Center in Washington. After Mass, marchers will congregate near the Washington Monument and march down Constitution Avenue to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Erin Moore, a senior at Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills and president of the school’s Pro-Life Club, said she was inspired to take up a bigger role after attending the march during her freshman year.

“It was during the march to the Supreme Court that I felt the most empowered,” Moore said. “I was in the nation’s capital, surrounded by hundreds of people united by their beliefs and I felt that nothing was impossible. I see that day as the turning point in my life, when I actually started to stand up for my beliefs. Now, I’m determined to go to law school to work as a pro-life lawyer or politician and reignite the culture of life in our society.”