Largest U.S. anti-abortion group to meet in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- The nation's largest anti-abortion group, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will stage its national convention here over the July Fourth holiday. In response, a Missouri group of abortion-rights advocates is weighing whether to protest the gathering.

At least 1,000 anti-abortion activists are expected to attend the three-day National Right to Life event, scheduled for July 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency at Union Station.

Scheduled speakers include entertainer Ben Stein and commentator Michael Medved, both outspoken opponents of abortion. Appearances also are planned by St. Louis Archbishop Justin Rigali and Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt, a Republican.

Last January, President Bush marked the annual Washington march against abortion by speaking to activists via telephone from St. Louis, where Bush had traveled to promote unrelated matters. The group hopes Bush will address conventioneers via a taped video message, said Holly Miller, the group's national field coordinator.

Among other things, the convention-goers are to celebrate Bush's planned signing of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which outlaws an abortion procedure.

Several dozen workshops will be held daily on various topics, from the economic impact of abortion to the effect of new campaign finance laws restricting political spending of National Right to Life and other special-interest groups.

Though one workshop targets Planned Parenthood, Paula Gianino, president of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, said her agency planned to conduct operations as usual and "is not intending to do any kind of counterprotest."

Carolyn Sullivan, executive director for NARAL Pro-Choice America's Missouri affiliate, said "We are in the process of deciding how much energy and resources to devote to a direct action" in opposition to the convention.

"We have not ruled out a protest of their presence," she said.

During the convention, Sullivan said, her group was expected to beef up its cadre of volunteers who serve as escorts outside area abortion clinics, in case of pickets or protests outside the clinics.