WASHINGTON — Anti-abortion demonstrators crowded the National Mall on Thursday for an annual march coinciding with a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
Demonstrators at the annual March for Life carried signs with slogans like “Defend Life,” ”I am a voice for the voiceless” and “Thank God my mom’s pro-life.” The march is held annually on the day that the Supreme Court announced its decision in the Roe v. Wade case in 1973 and ruled that the Constitution protects a woman’s right to an abortion.
As demonstrators were packing the National Mall, Republicans muscled legislation through the House tightening federal restrictions on abortions. The White House warned that President Barack Obama would veto the measure, all but ensuring that it would not become law.
The vote came hours after lawmakers abruptly abandoned another bill banning most late-term abortions because a rebellion led by female Republican lawmakers left them short of votes.