Both side of the abortion debate held rallies in San Francisco on Saturday. Advocates on both sides of the issue reacted to President Obama's signing an executive order Friday overturning a federal ban on funding international groups that perform, advise on, or even discuss abortions.
Dolores Meehan, co-chair of the Walk For Life West Coast, said Obama's election and subsequent policy changes have galvanized the Bay Area's pro-life community.
"I was surprised how few people were actually discouraged," she said. "This just means we have to fight harder."
Meehan said 25,000 people attended last year's Walk for Life. The event is held annually in San Francisco on the Saturday closest to the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision.
Tens of thousands of pro-life demonstrators marched through the streets of San Francisco, despite the rainy weather forecast.
"Walk for Life people are pretty darn persistent," Meehan said.
The event began with speeches at 11 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza on Market Street. At noon, attendees began the two-mile walk to the Marina Green.
Local
Nancy Kato, an organizer with the Bay Area Coalition for Our Reproductive Rights, called Obama's decision "a very positive development."
The coalition also organized a counter-demonstration to coincide with the Walk for Life. The event will started at 10:30 a.m. today at the music concourse on the Embarcadero, where Market Street ends.
