http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/localreact_2021.mp3
Today is the 31st Anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court Decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion. As KSMU's Missy Shelton reports, folks in the Ozarks on both sides of the abortion debate are planning services for this evening.
THE SUPPORTERS OF THE ROE DECISION ARE DEMONSTRATING AT THIS HOUR AT THE CORNER OF BATTLEFIELD AND GLENSTONE IN SPRINGFIELD. JENNY ESQUIVEL IS THE EDUCATION COORDINATOR WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. THE GROUP OF ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTERS WILL BE WALKING TO THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH IN TIME FOR A 5:15 SERVICE. ESQUIVEL SAYS THE SERVICE WILL FEATURE SEVERAL SPEAKERS. LATER THIS EVENING, ABORTION RIGHTS OPPONENTS WILL HOLD A VIGIL AT WEST DIVISION STREET BAPTIST CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD. DAVE PLEMMONS IS THE GREENE COUNTY CHAIRMAN OF MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE. HE SAYS AT TONIGHT'S SERVICE, SEVERAL SPEAKERS WILL SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LAST 31 YEARS SINCE THE ROE DECISION. PLEMMONS SAYS THE LAST 31 YEARS HAVE TAUGHT THOSE WHO OPPOSE ABORTION TO BE PATIENT. AND HE SAYS THE PATIENCE IS PAYING OFF AS PUBLIC SENTIMENT IS CHANGING. ACTIVISTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ABORTION ISSUES SAY THEY ARE READY TO LOBBY FOR THEIR INTERESTS AS THIS YEAR, AN ELECTION YEAR MOVES FORWARD. SOC