Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 22, 1992 TAG: 9201220377
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
DEMONSTRATIONS WILL FEATURE LOCAL VOICES
Western Virginians on both sides of the abortion issue are on the road today, hoping to influence policy makers in Richmond and Washington.Even though the Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it may not consider a wholesale reversal of the Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion 19 years ago, abortion-rights advocates and anti-abortion groups believe additional restrictions are likely and plan to continue their advocacy efforts.
The Roanoke and New River Valley Coalitions for Family Planning are sponsoring transportation to Richmond today for about 75 people who will lobby state legislators for continued abortion rights.
That is three times the size of last year's contingent, according to David Nova of Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge. And, he predicted, that number will skyrocket next year if the court does significantly restrict the effects of Roe vs. Wade.
The trip comes on the heels of anti-abortion demonstrations held in the state capital Tuesday.
At least one bill that would require parental notification before a minor could have an abortion had been introduced Tuesday, according to Judy Castleman, a lobbyist for the Virginia chapter, National Abortion Rights Action League.
She said she was hoping that between 200 and 300 abortion-rights advocates would be in Richmond today.
Anti-abortion forces from the Roanoke Valley will be in Washington participating in the annual "March for Life" campaign.
Phyllis Mardian, one of the organizers of the trip, said she anticipates that the 47-seat bus - chartered with the financial help of Roanoke Valley Knights of Columbus members - will be filled.
The group will be predominantly Roman Catholic, she said, but may include a few members of other religious denominations.
The idea for the bus charter was originated in a Justice and Peace committee at Our Lady of Nazareth Church, Mardian said, and word was spread to other Catholic churches in the valley.
Mardian said the uncertainties of politics prevented her from being too hopeful that Roe vs. Wade will be overturned soon, but that she and others continue to be "very prayerful. We've been praying for years for that. Let's say we see a glimmer of hope after it's been pretty dark for a long time."
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