Roe v. Wade: 25 years later

Campus to honor decision

Although many University students were not alive when the Supreme Court legalized abortion in the 1973 landmark case Roe v. Wade, the 25th anniversary tomorrow promises to stir up celebration, hostility and memories of the past. Students and faculty members already have kicked off the commemoration, with rallies, speeches and movies intended to educate the University community.

Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortion had been illegal in almost all states and the final decision sparked a national dialogue by affirming the controversial procedure. Despite attempts by pro-life groups to overturn the Supreme Court's precedent,

SARA STILLMAN/Daily Intervarsity Christian Fellowship members, alumnus Dr. Peter Payne and LSA sophomores Melody Marske and Carissa Kubicek, pray yesterday in memory of the historic Roe V. Wade ruling.

the basic ruling has survived during the past quarter-century.

"This celebration is to raise awareness and to celebrate that for 25 years, women have been able to receive legal abortions, and we appreciate that," said Vanessa Martin, co-president of Students for Choice.

Students for Choice will host events today and tomorrow, combining forces with Planned Parenthood, the women's studies department, National Organization of Women of Ann Arbor and the Law Students for Reproductive Choice. Pro-life groups such as the Undergraduate Intervarsity Christian Fellowship will host events to rally against abortion.

The anniversary of the highly disputed case is also sparking discourse

throughout the state and nation.

Gov. John Engler recently spoke out against abortion in response to a pro-choice demonstration in Ann Arbor last weekend.

"The governor is pro-choice, but you have to remember that state issues are limited because of the Supreme Court," said Engler's spokesperson, John Truscott, who cited the state's 24-hour waiting period and parental consent for minors laws as small strides for pro-life. "He certainly states his position, but he's not going out campaigning every day."

State Rep. Mary Schroer (D-Ann Arbor) said GOP leaders have worked hard to strip women's right to choose, while misinterpreting pro-choice ideology.

"They're constantly chipping away with the right-to-life to try to win points without the best intentions," said Schroer, who plans to propose a House tribute for the 25th anniversary. "Pro-life doesn't understand the concept. We're not advocating abortion. We're advocating choice for women."

When Congress reconvenes in the upcoming weeks, banning late-term abortion will be one of the major issues that the House of Representatives will discuss, said U.S. Rep Lynn Rivers, (D-Ann Arbor), a pro-choice advocate who opposes late-term abortion. She said it's a precarious situation with numerous pro-life advocates in Congress and a currently untested Supreme Court.

"I'm very concerned," Rivers said. "It is not clear whether there is a majority on the Supreme Court who wants to overturn Roe v. Wade."

On campus, students' opinions vary on abortion, with some praising the work during the past 25 years and others calling abortion murder.

"We've come a long way," said Music junior Heather Garcia. "A lot of courage was around then and to make such a decision should be honored."

First-year student Amber Ying, who grew up in a Catholic family, said her upbringing could not convince her to force a woman to have an unwanted pregnancy.

"I'm pro-choice 100 percent," Ying said. "I don't have the right to tell a woman what to do with her body. It's an anniversary representing women's liberation - standing up and taking charge."

But the traditionally liberal Ann Arbor campus is not lacking in pro-life supporters.

"It's a complex issue," LSA senior Azmat Butt said. "I personally put the right of child over the right of the woman. Since there's noone to advocate for the unborn fetus, we need to represent its voice and life."

Beth Matthews, co-president of the Undergraduate Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, said she believes the speeches and upcoming pro-life events should create greater awareness.

"I would hope that the 25th anniversary will be a time when people think about the issue," Matthews said. "We want to raise the discussion of abortion above political name-calling into the moral and social issues."

State Rep. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) said it's hard for students to remember the importance of Roe v. Wade without having lived through the times when many women died during illegal abortion procedures. Oftentimes, illegal abortions were performed with coat hangers, which became a symbol of the deadly restrictions before Roe v. Wade.

"Young people don't remember the days when abortion was illegal," Brater said. "Retelling the history can be helpful in the importance of maintaining these rights and the 25th anniversary is the time to do it."

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