Students to march for life in Washington
LUKE BUSAM
News Writer
Students from ND/SMC Right to Life and opponents of abortion within the Notre Dame community are participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C today.
Nearly 150 students from Notre Dame and SMC will make the trip this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that ruled abortion is protected by the Constitution.
The march begins with a rally on the national mall featuring pro-life speakers and musicians. The protestors will make their way to Capitol Hill and the march will culminate in the late afternoon in front of the Supreme Court building.
Kate Hoppe, president of ND/SMC Right to Life, participated in her first march this year. Hoppe says ND/SMC Right to Life hopes to present a united front not only for the Notre Dame community, but for the greater community of college students as well.
"Because one in three abortions happen to a college-age woman, we hope to present a strong front in defense of life and offer support for college women to show them they have options and that we are here for them," said Hoppe.
The March for Life is part of a movement to increase awareness on the issue. The group's long-term goals include the overturning the Roe decision.
"The Marches will never fully accomplish their goal until the Supreme Court decision is overturned. We will keep fighting until we have accomplished that goal, the goal of respect for life in all its stages, " said Hoppe.
Janel Daufenbach, the March for Life Coordinator for ND/SMC Right to Life also will attend today's march. Daufenbach hopes today's march will increase awareness of the significance of the Roe decision on campus and across the nation.
"The march really gets no media attention. One of our goals is to make it be nationally known," Daufenbach said. "We are joined form people all the nation who stand for the same cause that we do. We are trying to make a public stand against Roe v. Wade and what its done to our country."
While a large number of students were unaware of the March for Life, others on campus made a deliberate decision not to attend.
Sophomore Erica Ruddy opted not to attend the march but praised the students in ND/SMC Right to Life. "Abortion is a personal decision everyone has to make for themselves based on their moral and religions viewpoint.," she said. "A lot of time and effort was put in on the part of the justices and we should respect the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution".
Teresa Hansen, a sophomore who attended the March for Life twice as a high school student, said, "I'm not attending because women in this country have certain rights afforded by the constitution. People may have certain religious beliefs, like me, and believe its wrong to have an abortion, but I don't think all women should have to adhere to those beliefs."
Last semester, Hansen interned for the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, a feminist organization in Washington, D.C. Before that she worked at the Family Violence Prevention Program, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, in Wheeling, W.V.
"I have talked with women who have had an abortion," said Hansen." I believe [Roe v. Wade] was the correct decision. The justices made the best decision in light of the scientific evidence presented."
Hansen said she commends all Americans who communicate their individual points of view by traveling to D.C. to express them.
"I've been on many marches, not just Right to Life marches. It is our right to exercise our freedom of speech and we need to exercise it. I admire those who go," said Hansen.
All News Stories for Wednesday, January 22, 2003
