March for Our Lives? March for Life? How to know the difference between the groups

One group aims to end abortion, and the other to end gun violence. And both of their names sound incredibly similar.

March for Life wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, while March for Our Lives is pushing for more gun control legislation. Each group holds rallies across the country, with March for Our Lives protests scheduled to take place Saturday.

Here's how can you tell the difference between the two protests.

Red vs. blue

The difference in color scheme isn't a surefire indicator of who's who, March for Life demonstrations often have signs in red and white. March for Our Lives movements can be seen sporting blue and white. As for the protesters themselves, participants on both sides can be seen at rallies in and out of their side's colors.

The March for Our Lives group doesn't have an iconic symbol that makes supporters easy to identify. However, if you come across a rally, march or protest and see a rose emblem on signs, shirts and so on, you are likely at a March for Life event. According to the March for Life website, the group has long seen a rose as a symbol of life.

Where do these groups come from?

Similar to the team color conversation, identifying an event based on who is in attendance isn't a guaranteed way to pinpoint which protest you may be at. However, some background on each group might help.

The first March for Life took place in Washington, D.C., in January 1974, one year after the Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade, providing federal abortion protections. March for Life founder Nellie Gray chose to hold the march every year until the decision is overturned, according to the group's history page.

The March for Our Lives movement was started in 2018 after a gunman shot and killed 17 people, wounding an another 17, at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The organization was started by high schoolers who survived the mass shooting, and though the participants vary in age, the crowds are overwhelmingly made up of young people.

Both groups host rallies and marches across the country

The best way to know what protest is taking place is to check each movement's schedule. Both March for Life and March for Our Lives list their activities online with specific dates, times and locations.

If you're still unsure about whether you're at a March for Life or March for Our Lives event, check platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Both groups have a presence on social media, and it's likely that someone at the protest will upload photos or videos from the event.

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