Gretchen Cararie and Rick Martell at the 2018 March for Life in Washington D.C. on Friday. They are holding the banner from Holy Sepulchre Catholic Church in Middlesex Township.

Ten buses carrying more than 400 county residents headed for the nation's capital early Friday morning to proudly participate in the 2018 March for Life.

Ray Ferguson of Butler Township said the legislators who spoke out against abortion at the rally preceding the 1.5-mile march agreed that the 2018 turnout was the biggest they had ever seen.

“That tells me that the tide is turning in the country and people are tired of our current laws on abortion and they want to see a change,” Ferguson said.

He said while most of those in attendance were Christian, opposition to abortion is a societal one.

“Even if you don't have faith, from a secular sense, it's an injustice,” Ferguson said. “Life is created and you have to let it take its course.”

Ferguson has attended 27 March for Life events over the years.

“We're standing up for those who can't speak for themselves,” he said.

President Donald Trump spoke at the rally in the Mall area from the White House Rose Garden via live video feed. Several congressmen and senators and others also spoke to the huge crowd.

From the Mall, participants made the short walk to Constitution Avenue for the march.

Ferguson said the seemingly chaotic march itself consists of singing, chanting anti-abortion sentiments and praying.

“I highly recommend it,” Ferguson said. “It's an awesome time of fellowship with people in your community and your nation.”