WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of abortion opponents rallied Thursday on the National Mall to mark the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade amid concerns they could face political setbacks under the new president.
The rally and subsequent march to the Supreme Court came two days after the swearing-in of President Barack Obama, which many demonstrators said emphasized the need to become more vocal with their message.
Among those attending the rally marking the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion was Kirk Kramer of Cottage City, Md., who held up a sign reading: “The Audacity Of Hope: No More Roe.”
Kramer, a Democrat, said he has mixed feelings about Obama. He supports the president’s position on Iraq but said he was concerned about statements Obama made during the campaign indicating support for the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overrule many state-level restrictions on access to abortion.
“Our country is better than the war we have fought in Iraq and we are better than legalizing abortion,” he said.
A small group of abortion-rights supporters also gathered in front of the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Lisa King of Washington, D.C., said she is disappointed that Obama did not immediately move to overturn the so-called “global gag rule,” which denies U.S. funds to any international family planning group that provides abortion-related services or information.
“I’m just waiting and seeing really,” King said. “I don’t have any huge expectations just because he’s a Democrat.”
She said she worries the abortion issue will be a low priority, given all the other problems Obama faces.
The Rev. Boniface Ewah, who leads a Corning, N.Y., parish, said he likes Obama’s message of hope and believes that Catholics have an opportunity to educate Obama about the importance of protecting the unborn.
“I believe that God can touch the heart of the president,” he said.
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