NOW marks Roe vs Wade decision, objects to Alito as justice

NOW marks Roe vs Wade decision, objects to Alito as justice

By: Danielle Sanzone , The Record

ALBANY - Dozens of Roe vs Wade supporters gathered to mark the 33rd anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision, legalizing a woman's right to an abortion Saturday at the Clarion in Albany.

The National Organization for Women of New York State had representatives from every corner of the state at the event.
"It is important, now more than ever, to get together with our fellow womens advocates to fight for the right to use emergency contraception," said Marcia Pappas, NOW-NYS president. "We have joined today, with our chapter leaders, to strategize about how to stay aggressive on abortion rights."
The organization meets with the other chapters in the state about four times each year. But with two important events - the Roe vs Wade anniversary and the possible confirmation of Supreme Court justice nominee Samuel Alito - the organization scheduled a special meeting.
"On the eve of the 33rd anniversary of Roe vs Wade, and possibly the last anniversary, the NOW-NYS calls upon the 18 members of the Judiciary Committee to take their role in our democratic balance of powers seriously, and not simply rubber-stamp George W. Bush's choice for the High Court," Pappas said. "On Tuesday, the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee will cast a historic vote to fill the Supreme Court seat currently held by the first woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor."
The women's rights organization believes that a confirmation of Samuel Alito would undermine much of the progress for individual liberty, civil rights and the rights of women, said Pappas.
"We have taken for granted having the freedom for abortions and other emergency contraceptives," said Lori Gardner, the executive vice president of NOW-NYS.
"It has not been a part of the culture we grew up in to really worry about not having these rights. So the people of this country were very loose about who they voted for president. But now Bush is trying to put Alito, a man who has admitted to being against abortions, in a position to undo Roe vs Wade.
"It's not like the public can vote him in or vote him out like we could with a president. If Alito is confirmed, he is there forever. That scares me."
Saturday's event also mourned the many women from the United States who have died from botched illegal abortions. The women that were highlighted were between the ages of 17 to 33, and they all died between the years of 1929 and 1988.
"These women are just a drop on the pad," said Gardner. "There are so many other women from all around the world who have died from failed illegal abortions. This is what happens when a woman's right to make intimate decisions about her own body are taken away."
In order to maintain the right for emergency contraception, NOW-NYS believes it is imperative that the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act be signed into law. Once signed, this law would allow women to utilize emergency contraception, which would deter thousands of abortions each year, said Pappas. "Women's health and lives are in the hands of every lawmaker in the Legislature," she continued.

ROE-- PROTECTING EVERY WOMYN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE SINCE JANUARY 22, 1973
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