Over 500 students expected to support abortion rights in D.C.

Over 500 University students plan to show their support for abortion rights Sunday, joining an expected one million people in a rally in Washington D.C. Penn Pro-Choice President Raji Jagadeesan said this week that her organization has reserved 11 Greyhound buses to take University students to the National March for Women's Rights and expects to sell out the remaining $20 tickets by Sunday. And a National Organization for Women spokesperson said yesterday that she expects about 80 buses to travel to Washington from the Philadelphia area and "at least three or four times as many people to go by car." NOW member and Philadelphia March Coordinator Kathy Miller said she expects only a small number of proponents of abortion restriction to attend the rally, but said she does not know of any organized counter march. Neither Penn Pro-Life nor the Penn Coalition for Life will be sending University students to Washington to counter the rally. Jagadeesan said one of the purposes of the march is to convince legislators that a woman's right to choose must be preserved. "[The march] will be a clear sign to legislators that there are hundreds of thousands of pro-choice supporters out there and they vote," the College junior said. "I think abortion rights in this country are pretty much an endangered species. Our only recourse is through legislative means." Jagadeesan said NOW President Patricia Ireland and National Abortion Rights Action League Executive Director Kate Michelman will speak at the march. She also said actresses Faye Dunaway, Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Molly Ringwald and Jane Fonda will attend the rally. Jagadeesan added that Democratic presidential candidates Jerry Brown and Bill Clinton may also attend the event. The U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearings on a case testing the constitutionality of the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act -- one of the toughest in the country -- later this month. Supporters of abortion rights said they think Roe vs. Wade will be overturned by this summer. The upcoming case is one of the reasons for gathering in Washington, they said. The Penn Pro-Choice delegation will congregate in the nation's capital and will join up with students from other colleges and universities. Members of the group will carry a large banner so that those who drive to the rally will easily be able to find them. Members of Penn Pro-Choice said this week that they are "excited" to show their support on Sunday. "This week we've seen a lot of enthusiasm," Cindy Brown, a graduate student in the School of Social Work, said. "People really do care . . . there is going to be a presence in Washington. I'm really looking forward to going." "It's amazing how many people come up to us on Locust Walk," Jagadeesan said. "We've had a great response." Executive Director of the Christian Association Beverly Dale, a member of the Religious Coalition for Change, said yesterday she will be bringing a mini-van of students to Washington and meeting up with religious leaders to "make a positive religious statement." Michael McDonagle, Director of the Pro-Life Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania, said yesterday he is "not planning to go to D.C. to counter the march." But McDonagle added that members of Operation Rescue will make the trip. Kevin Welch, co-president of the Penn Coalition for Life, said yesterday that while his organization is not sending anyone, he hopes those against abortion will show their support. "We are fully aware of the other side and encourage anyone who is pro-life to show their support for everyone who supports the rights of unborn children," Welch said. Penn Pro-Choice's buses will leave from Houston Hall at 7 a.m. Sunday and should return about 9 p.m.

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