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Pro-Choice Marchers

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I took my daughter to Washington, D.C., on April 9 to march for a woman’s right to make her own decisions and to demonstrate to the Supreme Court that “silent” women do care about losing a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion. We were joined by 600,000 others who agree--students from colleges and universities from Amherst to Ohio State, Georgetown to UC Davis. We wore white to honor the suffragettes. Thousands of us were first-time marchers. My daughter, Alden, added her Cal State Long Beach sweat shirt and a button stating “Keep your laws off my body.” Among the marchers were thousands of men, Grandmothers for Choice, Catholics for Choice, State and Justice Department officers, Native Americans for Choice and even Canines for Choice.

At a dinner the night before the march, we chatted with Cybill Shepherd, hovered around Alice Walker in awe, talked to Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), gawked at James Taylor and sang with Judy Collins.

After the march we were exhausted but exhilarated from participating with so many others in a celebration and demonstration to protect our freedom.

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A chill wind dashed our spirits when we met April 10 with our congressman, Dana Rohrabacker (R-Lomita). He proclaimed his votes would be absolutely and firmly anti-choice regardless of cultural differences, lack of reproductive education, age or circumstance. We said we respected his right to his position, but not the prospect of the imposition of his choice on us by law. Could he please respect our viewpoint? That women have the right to make their own decisions. My 19-year-old was shaking as we left. She had never encountered a man so unwilling to try to understand her concerns. She was next to meet Rep. Robert Dornan’s (R-Garden Grove) staff.

Our meeting in Dornan’s office was covered by The Times on April 11. Aide Jerry Gideon appeared in jeans and flannel shirt and sat with his leg hanging over his chair as he harangued those Californians assembled. Again, an issue was the imposing of one’s beliefs on others through legislation. Again, Alden was stunned: this time into silence.

Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) remains pro-choice, a relief after the first two frustrating appointments.

Unfortunately, our young women take for granted that they have equal access and respect. What a shock to encounter reality in the Capitol Hill office buildings.

I’m glad I used my “mileage plus” points for two tickets to Washington. My daughter received an education. So did her mother!

LEA ANN KING

Rolling Hills Estates

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