The next step: what should abortion rights activists in the US be aiming for?ON APRIl. 25, 2004, HUGE CROWDS WILL MARCH FOR WOMEN'S Lives The March for Women's Lives was a demonstration for abortion rights and women's rights, held April 25, 2004 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and possibly the largest protest ever held on the Mall. in Washington, DC. But is this show of strength a defensive response to antichoice activists and an antichoice administration, or is it the start of a new movement that will reclaim the moral high ground in the fight for women's reproductive rights Reproductive rights or procreative liberty is what supporters view as human rights in areas of sexual reproduction. Advocates of reproductive rights support the right to control one's reproductive functions, such as the rights to reproduce (such as opposition to forced ? The prognosis for abortion rights in the US is not very rosy. Reports tell us that thirty-odd years after the historic Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade, case decided in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Along with Doe v. Bolton, this decision legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Supreme Court decision, the prochoice movement is stale, polling on the issue is not good, the right is winning and that the movement is failing to involve young people. But, with so many talented people involved in the movement, surely there is much that is invigorating in·vig·or·ate tr.v. in·vig·or·at·ed, in·vig·or·at·ing, in·vig·or·ates To impart vigor, strength, or vitality to; animate: "A few whiffs of the raw, strong scent of phlox invigorated her" , challenging and inspiring about what we do? To mark the March for Women's Lives and as part of a contribution to the debate over what strategies are required for the advancement of the reproductive rights movement in the US, Conscience invited leaders and watchers of the movement--past, present and future--to discuss some next steps. Their contributions follow. We are very interested in hearing what you have to say, and will continue this debate in our letters page over the coming issues. Please, write and tell us what you think. Faye Wattleton Faye Wattleton (born Alyce Faye Wattleton on July 8, 1943) is the first African-American and youngest President ever elected to Planned Parenthood (1978 - 1992). Currently, she serves as the President of the Center for the Advancement of Women, and also serves on the board Amy Richards William Saletan William Saletan is the chief national correspondent at Slate.com. Saletan gained notoriety in the fall of 2004 with nearly daily columns covering the ups and downs of the Presidential race. He currently writes the 'Human Nature' column. Joy Barnes Ann Stone David Garrow Jennifer Heitel Marilyn French Rev. Carlton Veazey Ebony Barley Nancy Northup Judith Lichtman Meghan Rapp Gloria Feldt Silvia Henriquez Kathy Bonk |
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