ABORTION ISSUE HEATS UP IN CAPITAL FORCES RALLY ON ROE-WADE ANNIVERSARY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 23, 1992                   TAG: 9201230260
SECTION: NATIONAL                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium
ABORTION ISSUE HEATS UP IN CAPITAL FORCES RALLY ON ROE-WADE ANNIVERSARY
The raw, wrenching politics of abortion spewed onto the streets of the nation's capital Wednesday as opposing groups marked the 19th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision.
Heartened by a belief that victory is near, ranks of singing, sign-bearing abortion abolitionists estimated by police to number 70,000 marched on Capitol Hill and urged the court to reverse its 1973 ruling legalizing abortion.
Standing behind police barricades, hundreds of abortion-rights advocates waved placards and chanted at the marchers from the curbs. Meanwhile, their leaders assembled a commission of experts to consider the consequences if the Supreme Court does rule soon that the Constitution does not guarantee women the right to end an unwanted pregnancy.
The abortion issue heated up even more Tuesday when the court announced it would review a Pennsylvania law restricting abortion rights. Both sides believe the justices will use the case to undermine - if not overturn - Roe vs. Wade.
With abortion abruptly elevated as a political issue in the presidential campaign, President Bush addressed the anti-abortion legions via a loudspeaker hooked up to the White House.
"I am out there with you in spirit," Bush told the crowd assembled on the grassy mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.
The political line is drawn clearly on abortion. The five major Democratic presidential candidates - Bill Clinton, Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, Paul Tsongas and Jerry Brown - are all declared for abortion rights.
The abortion opponents' march has become a Washington ritual in the 19 winters since the Roe vs. Wade decision was handed down. Busloads of anti-abortion activists come from the North, South and Midwest.
Bush was praised for vetoing legislation the crowd judged as favoring abortion. But he had detractors, too, as a smattering carried signs supporting Pat Buchanan to be the Republican presidential nominee.
About two miles from the march, another 150 protesters were arrested while blocking abortion clinics, bringing the two-day total close to 650.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB