Rallies Mark 33rd Roe V. Wade Anniversary

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Thousands of abortion opponents shouldering signs with slogans such as "Peace Begins in the Womb" marched in protest of the 33-year-old Roe v. Wadedecision, while abortion rights supporters along the march route waved clothes hangers and shouted "Bigots go home."

The dueling protests — marking Sunday's anniversary of the Supreme Court decision — reflected the growing tension at a time the makeup of the high court is about to change with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement. "It's a crucial time," said abortion rights supporter Carol Norris, 43, who joined the counter-protest in San Francisco Saturday. "We have (Judge Samuel) Alito poised to be on the Supreme Court, and he's clearly an anti-choice person."

On the other side, college student Laura Arnold, 20, of Pleasanton, Calif., marched with her mother opposing abortion, saying: "We're here to stand up for the babies that don't have a voice." "I know so many girls who did it and they are hurting every day of their life," Arnold said.

Many abortion opponents said they were heartened by President Bush's choice of Alito to replace O'Connor, a moderate who was often the court's swing vote. Alito's refusal during his confirmation hearings to agree with assertions by Democrats that Roe v. Wade was "settled law" upset abortion rights activists. Protests and counter-protests were planned in cities across the country Sunday, and the largest demonstration was expected in Washington, D.C., on Monday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060122/ap_on_re_us/abortion_anniversary_1