NOW Activists, Allies Rally to Protect Roe v. Wade

January 24, 2006

On Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, NOW marked the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a rally and vigil at the Supreme Court. The landmark 1973 decision, which recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion, was commemorated by NOW activists and allies with events throughout the country—including Albany, N.Y., Columbus, Ohio and Fayetteville, Ark. Many of those events were dedicated to the memory of women like Rosie Jiminez and Becky Bell, who died because they didn't have access to safe and legal abortion.

NOW President Kim Gandy, speaking at the Washington, D.C. vigil, said, "Our rights—the right to choose abortion, the right to use birth control, the right to have emergency contraception—are women's rights, and they are non-negotiable." "We are gathered here tonight within sight of the U.S. Capitol, where senators will begin debate this week on Samuel Alito, a judge whose record is clearly anti-woman, anti-choice, anti-environment and anti-civil rights," Gandy continued. "And we are here to tell them they must stand up to protect women's rights."

Anti-abortion protesters also marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade with their annual march on Washington, D.C. on Jan. 23. During their march, activists from NOW and the Feminist Majority Foundation were visible at outside the Supreme Court as a reminder that the majority of the country continues to support abortion rights.