March marks Roe v Wade's 35th anniversary

Minnesota's pro-life movement held to tradition Tuesday, as they marked the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Roe versus Wade ruling which legalized abortion.

At least 2,000 abortion opponents marched to the steps of the State Capitol for a rally, and stood for an hour in a bitterly cold wind to sing and pray for change.

"You're a beautiful sight today as you stand here marching and standing together for life," Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, of Minnesota's 6th District told the crowd.

"We are made in the image and likeness of a holy God, and today as you come together to march and to stand and to pray one more year for 50 million of our brothers and sisters who did not have the chance to stand as we stand."

Bachmann, the first-term Republican from Stillwater, reminded the gathering that she introduced legislation in Washington seeking federal funding for counseling centers designed to steer women away from that choice.

"Don't lose hope! Don't give up!" Bachmann exhorted, "We don't stand here to condemn. We stand here to lift up."

It's a message that resonated with those in the audience including Dr. Mark Druffner, a pro-life family physician who is based in Hudson, Wisconsin but licensed to practice in Minnesota as well.

"I'm here because every unborn child must be protected under our laws," Druffner told KARE 11, "And our job as physicians is when a pregnant woman needs our help is to provide them with safe medical care, support them, give them money, baby clothes, whatever healthcare they need."

Those on the other side of the debate pointed out that that the rhetoric of the rally made no reference to preventing unplanned pregnancies.

"We need to focus in on the fact that unintended pregnancy CAN be prevented," said Tim Stanley, the head of government affairs for Planned Parenthood.

"The vast majority of Minnesota and citizens want sex education in the schools and access to family planning for all couples and all women."

Planned Parenthood has always been at the center of the storm in the abortion issue because it operates 29 women's health clinics in Minnesota and the Dakotas including some that perform abortions.

The group marked the anniversary of Roe v Wade quietly, thanking the legislature for voting last session to boost family planning funding in Minnesota. The organization will continue to push for comprehensive sex education.

"We also need to educate young people about their bodies," Stanley remarked, "Their sexuality and how to prevent unintended pregnancies. And then how to be safe, and prevent the transmission of STI's and STDs as well."

Stanley argues that sex education should be an issue on which people on opposite sites can find common ground. In essence if women aren't getting pregnant they won't seek abortions.

But the pro-life advocates who marched on the Capitol Tuesday share a different view of sex ed.

"Every young person should be taught that sex is not the right thing to do before marriage," Dr Gruffner said, "That should be taught and strengthened by our example as parents."

That sentiment was echoed by Janelle Ostenson, a 22-year-old woman who drove down to the Capital City from Hinckley with her family.

"God says that the undefiled bed is what he blesses, so marriage is honorable, and the undefiled bed," she explained, "But whoremongers, like fornicators and adulterers, God will judge. So basically, wait until you're married."

The sponsor of the rally, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, will continue its ongoing fight to outlaw public funding of abortions in Minnesota. MCCL's communications director, Bill Pochler, said the group will also ask state lawmakers to ban the use of saline injections in abortion procedures.

Earlier in the day at the Capitol a group of pro-Life Democrats announced plans to introduce a bill aimed lowering the demand for abortions. The package includes adoption tax credits, and giving expectant women more access to pre-natal health care and infant nutrition.

Most observers note that the odds of anything changing drastically this session are relative slim, because the pro-life pro-choice balance in the legislature's membership hasn't changed.

By John Croman, KARE 11 News

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