South Bend marchers support Right-to-Life
Michael De La Rosa
News Writer
SOUTH BEND
Below-freezing temperatures and bitter wind chills did not numb the passion of approximately 100 community members who protested the Roe vs. Wade decision Monday on the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets in downtown South Bend.
The annual demonstration in remembrance of the Supreme Court's Jan. 22, 1973 decision to uphold a woman's right to an abortion drew protesters from local churches, high schools and Right to Life groups.
A quote from Mother Theresa influenced young activist Jewels Lentire's decision to protest.
"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so you can live as you wish," Lentire said. "There are millions of families who want children. I'm adopted myself. If I can make it, then other babies should be given the chance."
Matt Bocart, freshman class president at St. Joseph High School, demonstrated his disapproval of legalized abortion with the help of many of his classmates.
"We're just doing this because we don't believe in abortion," Bocart said. "This protest wasn't mandatory. It's just whoever wanted to come."
In 1996, there were 100,167 abortions in the county. There currently are 11 abortion clinics in Indiana; one is located in South Bend.
Right to Life and other advocacy groups represented at the protest work to end abortions through demonstrations, phone trees to inform legislators about pro-life acts and placement of anti-abortion.
"If we can save even 10 babies' lives, we're doing pretty well," said Phil Mclane, president of Right to Life in South Bend.
Alan Bowman, a chaplain at St. Joseph Medical Center who attended Monday's rally, counselors young women who have had an abortion. He frequently observes the emotional trauma many women experience after an abortion.
"I deal with what happens after the fact," Bowman said. "There's usually a tough time with the guilt present; the pain, anguish, hurt. I see this [protest] as a way to prevent all of that."
All News Stories for Tuesday, January 25, 2000
