NOW Activists Hold Candlelight Vigil to Honor 32nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Reaffirm Commitment to Women's Reproductive Health

January 22, 2005

"This 32nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade is a solemn day for us," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "With the inauguration of George W. Bush, a committed opponent of women's reproductive freedom, and the election of even larger anti-women majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, we are now seeing an even more intensified effort to limit the availability of birth control and abortion, and further reduce women's access to reproductive health services.

"The relentless parade of anti-abortion judicial nominees, more than 200 named by George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in the past four years, will make the federal courts a dangerous place for women far into the future."

The National Organization for Women and Capital City NOW are hosting a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Supreme Court to commemorate the anniversary of Roe, the landmark Supreme Court decision which recognized a woman's right to privacy in deciding whether to terminate a pregnancy. For over three decades, NOW and its many allies have fought a long and dangerous battle to ensure that women retain this basic freedom, yet the fight continues.

"This is a basic civil right for women, who must be free to make decisions about their reproductive health without government influence or interference," said Gandy. "No one is better qualified than the woman herself to make such a personal decision about her health, her life, her family and her future."

At the beginning of this new presidential term, it is especially symbolic for supporters of women's reproductive health to rally outside the Supreme Court. 80-year old Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who is suffering from thyroid cancer, is expected to resign soon from the court, and other aging justices may follow. Bush, in past interviews and speeches, made it clear that he will most likely name a Supreme Court Chief Justice like Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, both of whom have written in Court opinions that Roe should be reversed.

"On this important day, activists will again pledge their commitment to reproductive freedom and let our leaders know that we will fight every effort to roll back women's rights," said Gandy.

"More than ever, advocates for women's reproductive freedom and health must re-dedicate their time, energy and financial resources to safeguard this fundamental civil and human right of women to make the most intimate decisions about their bodies and their lives."

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