News

Jan 22, 2010

Abortion rights supporters and opponents prepared to hit the streets of the nation's capital Friday to mark the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling establishing a woman's constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.

Anti-abortion activists planned a rally on the National Mall and march to the Supreme Court, followed by a walk to Capitol Hill to urge legislative action.

Organizers of the annual March for Life back legislation saying that the "life of each human being shall be preserved and protected from that human being's biological beginning," according to the organizers' Web site.

Abortion rights supporters, led in part by the National Organization for Women, planned their own rally and vigil on the steps of the Supreme Court.

Terry O'Neill, president of NOW, said in a written statement that her organization, along with others, is "committed to protecting and expanding access to abortion, which is a basic, fundamental human right."

Activists on both sides of the highly divisive issue believe there is a chance the conservative-leaning high court could eventually overturn the 1973 ruling.

Questions regarding abortion rights have played a key role in the health care reform debate. A number of abortion rights supporters believe a bill passed by the House of Representatives in November does not do enough to provide access to reproductive services. Many abortion rights opponents argue legislation approved by the Senate in December does not go far enough to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions.