Abortion Activists Assemble

More than 150 students demonstrated on the steps of Memorial Church Friday afternoon to show support for abortion rights political candidates.

The event, sponsored by Harvard-Radcliffe Students for Choice, marked the 15th anniversary of the death of Rosie Jimenez due to a botched abortion.

Abortion rights supporters have blamed Jimenez's death on the 1976 Hyde amendment, which prevented the use of Medicaid funds for abortions.

Students for Choice Co-President Lily J. Shapiro '93 said that Jimenez became the first victim of the legislation because she could not afford to go to a proper clinic for her abortion.

The demonstration's organizers used the Jimenez anniversary as an opportunity to remind their hearers of the importance of abortion rights.

Gail Gramarosa, president of the stateaffiliate of the National Abortion Rights ActionLeague, told the crowd students must work toprotect the right to choose whether to have anabortion.

Joanna E. Pressman '95, an Adams House residentwho is a member of Students for Choice, said shewas excited by Gramarosa's speech.

"[She] talked about the problems facing thepro-choice movement and she also talked about whatwe can do," Pressman said. "It got us energizedfor our campaigns for abortion rights in America."

In an interview after the rally, Shapirocriticized measures such as the 24-hour waitingperiod.

Shapiro said she also encouraged students tovote for abortion rights-supporting candidates inNovember.

Although organizers said the rally was notcentered on the presidential election, there wereseveral Clinton-Gore campaign signs in the crowd.At a nearby booth, 10 to 15 students registered tovote, according to Shapiro.

"We didn't focus the rally on Clinton, but thenext president will have the opportunity toappoint a Supreme Court Justice," Shapiro said.

The rally lasted half an hour, and ended with arendition of "Amazing Grace" by Alexis Toomer '93.Organizers say they were pleased with the turnoutand with the mood of the rally.

"[The crowd was] upbeat and excited," Shapirosaid. "The purpose was to be informational andencouraging. It wasn't an angry mood.

Gail Gramarosa, president of the stateaffiliate of the National Abortion Rights ActionLeague, told the crowd students must work toprotect the right to choose whether to have anabortion.

Joanna E. Pressman '95, an Adams House residentwho is a member of Students for Choice, said shewas excited by Gramarosa's speech.

"[She] talked about the problems facing thepro-choice movement and she also talked about whatwe can do," Pressman said. "It got us energizedfor our campaigns for abortion rights in America."

In an interview after the rally, Shapirocriticized measures such as the 24-hour waitingperiod.

Shapiro said she also encouraged students tovote for abortion rights-supporting candidates inNovember.

Although organizers said the rally was notcentered on the presidential election, there wereseveral Clinton-Gore campaign signs in the crowd.At a nearby booth, 10 to 15 students registered tovote, according to Shapiro.

"We didn't focus the rally on Clinton, but thenext president will have the opportunity toappoint a Supreme Court Justice," Shapiro said.

The rally lasted half an hour, and ended with arendition of "Amazing Grace" by Alexis Toomer '93.Organizers say they were pleased with the turnoutand with the mood of the rally.

"[The crowd was] upbeat and excited," Shapirosaid. "The purpose was to be informational andencouraging. It wasn't an angry mood.