25 Cal State Fullerton Students Hold Vigil for Abortion Rights

As the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments from the state of Pennsylvania to restrict abortions, about 25 students at Cal State Fullerton conducted a silent vigil on the university’s quad.

“I’m a little paranoid,” said Elizabeth Adamson, 31, a member of the university’s newly formed National Organization for Women, which organized the vigil.

The group, made up of mostly women students, gathered at noon for a silent vigil that was to last until sundown. They sat in an elevated grassy section of the quad in an area marked off with wire hangers, symbolic of what they believe women would be forced to resort to if the Supreme Court upholds Pennsylvania’s restrictive abortion laws and other states follow suit.

Behind them a sign implored, “Don’t let the sun set on women’s rights.”

Adamson said that even though the school is conservative and the school newspaper had run three editorials opposing abortion, the response from students to their vigil was supportive.

“The overwhelming response is, ‘Thank God you’re here,’ ” she said. “I think people are really beginning to perceive the threat of their rights taken away. It’s sad because it’s the eleventh hour.”

Adamson, an anthropology major, said many women who were silent on the abortion issue are starting to let their voices be heard. “I’ve seen so many people speaking out who have never spoken up before,” she said. “It’s pushing people to the wall on this issue.”

Meanwhile, the feeling on both sides is that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of restricting abortions by requiring counseling, a 24-hour waiting period and the consent of parents for minors and husbands for married women.

“We joyfully anticipate the overturn of Roe vs. Wade,” said Steve Sheldon, spokesman for the Traditional Values Coalition, a national conservative organization based in Anaheim.

Monika Moreno, a spokeswoman for the Anaheim-based Operation Rescue of California, said that if the Supreme Court restricts abortion, as expected, it would be a victory for men who are usually left out of the decision-making process.

“This (Pennsylvania) law protects the father and baby,” she said. “Right now, they are powerless. Their thoughts and feelings are rarely considered. If this ruling is upheld by the courts, it’s a victory for men’s rights.”

But vigil organizers were not impressed by such arguments.

“I’ve seen the statistics on the number of men who actually pay child support. Women ultimately bear responsibility for children,” said Derith Mason, 22, a NOW member.