As Roe V. Wade Anniversary Approaches, Pro-Life Rally Held In Denver
DENVER (CBS4) - Thousands of Coloradans gathered at the Capitol on Saturday in a rally to show opposition to abortion.
Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila led the rally, which was held a few days ahead of the 42nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion in the United States.
People at the rally carried signs like "Protect Life!" and "Life! It Matters," and many young people in attendance said they are part of the Pro-Life generation.
"I think that abortion is really wrong because it kills the future of America and our own people," said Eva Napierkowski, one of many young women at the rally. "Being out here just kind of shows that we think it's wrong and that abortion isn't something that everyone believes in and it can change. It really is possible."
But those supporting a woman's right to choose to end a pregnancy say it's an issue that Colorado decided well before Roe v. Wade.
"Colorado was actually the first state to legalize abortion, and they did it in 1967 -- six years before Roe -- on a bipartisan basis," said Laura Chapin, a member of NARAL Pro-Choice America, on Saturday.
So why are groups like those that came out on Saturday continuing the fight against something that became law 42 years ago? Rally attendee Royce Fallet told CBS4 "positions change."
"And when it comes to the sanctity of life I don't believe that we should ever give up," Fallet said.
Chapin said Colorado voters continue to vote no on ballot measures on the issue.
"Colorado voters have now said three times over the past six years that 'No, we don't think the government should outlaw abortion or that government should be making these decisions for women,' " she said, referring to the three failed Personhood intiatives. "Colorado voters have said over and over that this is a decision that's personal."
Among the speakers at the rally was Lynn Grandon, director of the Respect Life office for the Archdiocese of Denver and executive director of the Lighthouse Women's Center.
"It has wounded a lot of women's bodies. There are a lot of women that regret abortion," Grandon said.
Next week, Republicans in Washington will push for a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest or serious danger to the mother. The bill will be up for a vote on Jan. 22, which is the Roe v. Wade anniversary.