Disabled musician performs, keynotes inaugural March for Life Day event

The first March for Life day was held at the St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Perryville on Friday, Jan. 29, 2020. Vincential Marian Youth Southeast Missouri (VMY SEMO) and North Perry County Youth Group collaborated to create the event, which lasted all day, and included a march to the Perryville town square, a speaker series featuring guest speakers, a panel discussion and more. Pro-life activist and musician Tony Melendez — who was born without both of his arms and a clubbed foot — performed music on his guitar and delivered the keynote address. Almost 220 people were in attendance for the event, including students from Valle Catholic in Ste. Genevieve, St. Vincent, Vincent Marion Youth and VMY Youth Group students who attend public school or are homeschooled, as well as volunteers and members of the church.