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Thousands attend annual Texas Rally for Life in Downtown Austin

"The event commemorates the 47th anniversary of the tragic Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision," organizers said.

AUSTIN, Texas — Thousands of demonstrators took part in Austin’s annual Texas Rally for Life on Saturday afternoon.

The anti-abortion rally kicked off around 1 p.m. at the intersection of 14th Street and San Jacinto Boulevard in Downtown Austin, with a march to the Capitol.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crowd size was between 5,000 and 6,000 people. Around 5,000 people attended the event last year.

Speakers at the event included state Rep. Jeff Leach, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and Houston Pregnancy Help Center chief executive officer Sylvia B. Johnson-Matthews.

“The event commemorates the 47th anniversary of the tragic Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision,” organizers said.

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A pro-life expo between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. followed the rally on Saturday.

On Friday, President Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to attend Washington’s March for Life rally.

“Young people are the heart of the March for Life,” Trump told the crowd. “It’s your generation that is making America the pro-family, pro-life nation.”

RELATED: 'Abolish the City of Austin.' State Rep. Briscoe Cain comments on city's abortion funding

Abortion remains one of the most divisive issues in the United States and a top issue for the 2020 presidential election.

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