Abortion opponents mark Roe vs. Wade

Standing in single-digit temperatures, abortion opponents crowded the Capitol steps Tuesday on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision. The rally, sponsored each year by the abortion opposition group Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, often serves as the kick-off for the group's legislative agenda at the Capitol, where MCCL has traditionally been one of the most visible lobbying forces.

"We don't stand here to condemn. We stand here to lift up. We don't stand here to judge, we are here to heal," said U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, a leading advocate of legislation against abortion when she was in the Minnesota Senate. "You are my heroes."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty provided a taped message of support.

Abortion rights groups had little presence in opposition, but said they would push for greater funding for sex education programs in schools to deter unwanted pregnancies.

Ban on saline abortions urged

MCCL leaders said their focus would be a statewide ban on saline abortions, in which a saline solution is injected through the woman's abdomen into the womb. According to MCCL, more than 50 saline abortions have been performed in Minnesota in the past five years.

Earlier in the day, a group of DFL legislators announced an additional plan that would provide tax credits for adoption-related expenses, prevent insurance companies from penalizing a pregnant woman who chooses to go through with a pregnancy, and provide grant programs to support pregnant women in college who choose not to have abortions.

"We know that housing, food, education, many of those pieces are what drive women to decide to have an abortion when they decide they just couldn't make it," said Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie.

Planned Parenthood officials said they would focus on expanding sex education funding in the state as a way of preventing unwanted pregnancies. The Minnesota Legislature and Pawlenty increased public funding for family planning last year.

"Planned Parenthood works every day to prevent unintended pregnancies by making sure that birth control is accessible and affordable to women-in-need all across the state," said Tim Stanley, senior director for government and public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "We do more in one day to prevent unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion than the groups gathered outside the Capitol today do in a lifetime."