Nearly 40,000 Mexicans will march on June 22 to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe to pray for the defense of the unborn and to express their opposition to the legalization of abortion in the Mexican capital.

Guillermo Bustamante, an organizer of the march, told reporters the purpose of the pilgrimage is to pray “for the marvelous gift of life.”  He said that he hoped pro-life protests would be held in other Mexican cities.

The march in Mexico City is being organized by 50 different organizations and will coincide with arguments being held at the country’s Supreme Court over the constitutionality of the law on abortion passed in Mexico City in April of 2007.