Dueling Rallies Mark Anniversary Of Roe Vs. Wade

Religious groups are hosting two rallies Sunday - either to celebrate or mourn the 23rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

Abortion opponents will begin a prayer walk around Deaconess Medical Center at 2 p.m. The center is the region’s only hospital where abortions are performed.

The crowd will then walk down the hill to the U.S. Court House, 904 W. Riverside, where church groups will hold a rally for life.

The march and rally is sponsored by Lifeline Ministries of Spokane and the Greater Association of Evangelicals. Several speakers are scheduled, including the Rev. Dan Henshaw, pastor of Mountain View Assembly of God church, Jim Anderson of Lifeline Ministries and Dr. Alfred Derby, a Spokane obstetrician.

At the same time, the Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Committee is holding a rally to commemorate the landmark decision.

An outdoor rally begins at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe, at 2 p.m. It will be followed by an indoor vigil, featuring the Rev. Ignacio Castuera as a guest speaker.

Castuera of the Hollywood United Methodist Church of Los Angeles became prominent while trying to keep peace during the Rodney King riots.

Other speakers include state Rep. Lisa Brown; Belle Taylor-McGhee, board president of the Washington chapter of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League; and Sandra Meicher, director of the local Planned Parenthood.

, DataTimes