Doug Stanglin

USA TODAY

March for Life, a group of abortion rights opponents, plans to go ahead Friday with its annual rally and march to the Supreme Court despite a state of emergency and blizzard warning for Washington, D.C.

For marchers, the date — Jan. 22 — is important because it marks the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision that deemed abortion a fundamental right under the Constitution.

"There will be no changes to the march," said Ryan Hughes, spokesperson for March for Life.

East Coast blizzard already a travel nightmare

The annual event, which draws hundreds of thousands of participants, is scheduled to kick off shortly before noon on the grounds of the Washington Monument with a rally that will include an appearance by Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina and a dozen elected officials, artists and public figures.

The march is set to begin at 1 p.m. and proceed down Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court.

At 3 p.m., at precisely the moment when weather forecasters say a blizzard warning will take effect, the March for Life forces plan to hold "Silent No Longer" speeches outside the court followed by visits to members of Congress.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser have declared states of emergency ahead of the storm that is expected to dump 18 to 24 inches of snow across the D.C. area.

Powerful snowstorm already wreaking havoc at airports, stores