Abortion opponents who gathered in Washington Jan. 23 for their annual march expressed hope that President George W. Bush’s newest nominee for the Supreme Court will help overturn the Roe vs. Wade decision.
The crowd, which included priests, parishioners, parents and children outside the Capitol, did their best not to let cold, drizzly weather dampen their mood as they recited chants in small groups representing religious and public- advocacy groups.
“Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, that’s what’s new,” said Emilio DiCola, from nearby Fairfax Station, Va., referring to President Bush’s recent nominees to the Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Roberts and Judge Samuel Alito.
At his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Alito discussed his controversial 1985 memos in which he said that the Constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion.
It has been widely assumed that Alito, if confirmed by the Senate as Roberts was, will be a foe of Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that struck down state bans on abortion. The march is held annually on the anniversary of that decision.
Abortion-rights advocates rallied outside the Supreme Court Jan. 22, holding a candlelight vigil and holding signs urging the Senate to reject the Alito nomination.
President Bush spoke to abortion opponents at the rally by telephone from Manhattan, Kan., where he had given a speech earlier.
“This is a cause that appeals to the conscience of our citizens and is rooted in America’s deepest principles,” he said. “And history tells us that with such a cause we will prevail.”
But some at the rally expressed skepticism that their voices were being heard.
“I think some people are listening, but I don’t think the government is listening,” said Ransford Clark, a New York seminary student attending the march for the first time. “That goes for Republicans as well as Democrats.
“Republicans present themselves as Bible-toting do-gooders, but they haven’t been living up to that image.” (RNS)
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