Thousands attend pro-life rally

WASHINGTON (AP) — Abortion opponents marched from the National Mall to the Supreme Court today in their annual remembrance of the court’s Roe v. Wade decision.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark ruling establishing the nationwide right to abortion.

Thousands of demonstrators participated in the march despite chilly weather. Predicted snow and rain held off except for occasional cold drizzle.

“The weather wants to keep us away but our hearts are on fire!” said Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, one of many lawmakers who spoke at a two-hour rally on the Mall before the march.

President Bush voiced support for those attending the event, known as the March for Life.

“Thirty-five years ago today the United States Supreme Court declared and decided that under the law an unborn child is not considered a person, but we know many things about the unborn,” said Bush, who hosted about 200 of the demonstrators in the East Room for coffee and doughnuts.

In remarks that were later broadcast to other demonstrators, Bush said biology confirms that from the start, each unborn child is a separate individual with his or her own genetic code.

“Babies can now survive outside the mother’s womb at younger and younger ages,” he said. “And the fingers and toes and beating hearts that we can see on an unborn child’s ultrasound come with something that we cannot see: a soul.”

As night fell in Washington, several dozen women marched outside the Supreme Court in support of abortion rights. A larger crowd of anti-abortion demonstrators listened to statements from women who said they have come to regret their abortions.

Supreme Court police reported no problems or arrests.

In addition to more typical “Defend life” and “Stop abortion” signs, some in the crowd held banners in support of Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the longshot candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.

Paul, a libertarian with an anti-war bent, also addressed the rally, where he spoke of his credentials as an obstetrician who has delivered 4,000 babies.

“The debate over when life begins should not be a debate. Let me assure you: All life begins at conception,” he said.

Click the arrow to watch a video of the march. The story continues below the video

Sisters Erin Gordon, 31, and Molly Flaherty, 21, were among the many people wearing stickers in support of Paul.

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