The Clarion

Issue date: 5/4/04 Section: Features

Media Credit: Jessica Sanchez Members of DU Pioneers for choice gather with other participants on the Washington D.C. mall.

Women and men, parents, children, adolescents and college students crowded the streets bearing posters with phrases such as, "If you cut off my reproductive freedom, can I cut off yours?" and, "Keep your rosaries off my ovaries."

Such was the scene on Sunday, April 25, when over one million pro-choice activists, including a number of DU students, set out for the March on Washington.

Jessica Sanchez, a member of DU NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League), said that her experience participating in the march was simply amazing.

"The energy, passion, excitement, and courage were all on high that day. It was very empowering to be in a safe environment-to be able to speak your mind. It was definitely the face of democracy," she said.

According to Sanchez, pro-choice means that women should have complete power over their own health and reproductive decisions.

"It means believing women should be given proper information, adequate health care, access to birth control, and the power to make decisions about their bodies. Most importantly, pro-choice means that a woman's body is not public property and should not be dictated by the government,"she stated, adding that each individual should be able to make decisions that fit his or her own life.

Some of those who participated in the march claim that President Bush's conservative policies are damaging to women's rights. In November of 2003, President Bush signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, the first ban in history of this medical procedure, a move which some say is inching him toward making abortion illegal.

According to Charlie Smith, Chairman of the DU College Republicans, President Bush has repeatedly stated that he will not pursue the abolishment of abortion, contrary to popular belief.

"It is the task of Congress to pass laws...and should they pass them President Bush will sign them," said Smith.

Zarah Brown, another DU student who marched, holds that Bush's actions on issues such as abortion and gay marriage are based on his religion, "and push America toward a future where some people are less equal than others.

These both contradict the spirit and the letter of the Constitution."

Continued...

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