On Jan. 22, thousands took to the streets of San Francisco to have their voices heard; the pro-choice movement who support women’s reproductive rights and access to health care, and the pro-life movement who support abstinence and the rights of the unborn.

The date marks one of the most volatile Supreme Court decisions: Roe vs. Wade, the landmark decision that made abortion legal in this country. After 32 years, there is still division over a woman’s right to choose, the rights of the unborn, and who should exercise control over those rights.

There are those who believe that in his second term President George W. Bush will seek to have this landmark case overturned. To do this will require the nomination, confirmation and appointment of judges who share Bush’s thinking, and it is likely that more than one justice will have to step down.
There is speculation that it is only a matter of time before the face of the court changes. With an aging juris, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist reportedly in ill health, some believe it is inevitable that the face of the court will change over the next four years.

Since Bush’s first term, legislation and policy changes that have taken place have squeezed women’s reproductive rights to the brink of non-existence, and if there is a change in the Supreme Court judges, the hands of time for women’s rights may be permanently turned back according to Nicole Yelich, a political organizer for NARAL, Pro-Choice America, California.

“It’s not just the abortion rights we’re talking about. It’s women’s access to health care, family planning, contraception, even sex education that is being threatened,” Yelich said.

The rally produced much of the familiar rhetoric that both sides have long asserted. More than 40 pro-choice groups formed a coalition and came together for the pro-choice rally, along with several Bay Area politicians.

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, Councilman Tom Ammiano and Mayor Gavin Newsom were among the plethora of political muscle. “It will always be legal for women in this city to have choice,” Harris said.

Oakland city councilwoman Nancy Nadel spoke to the crowd, saying, “Be careful not to become complacent. I haven’t forgotten the things we fought for when I was young.” She reminded those present that, “You need to control your body.”

The anniversary of Roe was an opportunity to rally people at all levels into action as a preemptive strike against the conservative left. “We will be mobilizing our base of activists and will be calling on them to step up,” Yelich said.

Aileen Hernandez, current chair of the California Women's Agenda, and past national president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), echoed Yelich’s statements. “We need to bring women’s organizations together to work on issues in this very reactionary environment,” said Hernandez.

That point was not wasted on protestors. “I am afraid the right to choice is threatened more than ever,” said Debbie Ghidirelli, a 58-year-old psychotherapist from Fremont. “I remember the ‘60s when you had to argue a case before the court that an abortion was needed because of a mental condition, or seek one illegally.”

She added that in her practice she has seen many children that were neither loved nor wanted and that “being pro-choice is not being pro-abortion.”

“People shouldn’t feel so confident. All you need is one person and protection for abortion will be gone,” said Mimi Steinbock, a 63-year-old lawyer from Oakland.

The pro-life forces, however, believe that they are not trying to obliterate the rights of anyone, particularly women.

“We are trying to help women who suffer from the psychological and physical consequences who are left hurting after an abortion,” said Annie Bowman, a 21-year-old UC Berkeley student and president of Berkeley Students For Life, a branch of California Students For Life.

The Students for Life group is trying to show women that there are alternatives to abortion, Bowman said.

“We believe that the best education is abstinence. It is the true way to prevention. A lot of society promotes the idea that it (premarital sex) is normal, when there are other alternatives,” said Bowman.

“Once you’re pregnant, it’s not just your body, there is another being,” said Steve Cady, a 63-year-old San Francisco resident. “You are then choosing life and death for another.” Cady said he sees this as a civil rights issue that needs addressing.

“We are here to celebrate life, family careers and to let people know that you do all of that and not have to resort to the violence of abortion,” said Dana Cody, 52, a Sacramento area resident. Asked whether she thought there would be a change in reproductive rights in the next four years, she adamantly responded, “There is nothing he [Bush] can do to overturn Roe and they [pro-choice advocates] know that. Bush is pro life and not anti-woman.