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LINCOLN -- Abortion opponents turned out today for their annual protest of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 ruling that legalized abortion.
Police and organizers agreed that about 5,000 turned out for the "Walk for Life'' march, which started at the State Capitol and ended at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said abortion opponents are fired up by recent political events, including the election of President Barack Obama, who supports abortion rights, and the health care vote cast by U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb.
Nelson opposes abortion, but activists are upset with his vote for the Senate bill. They say the language on abortion and insurance coverage in that bill is not as strong as in the House version of the measure.
The biggest cheers during a rally outside the State Capitol came when Attorney General Jon Bruning said he believes proposed state legislation to ban abortion when the fetus can feel pain is constitutional.
Bruning said if the bill becomes law, he would be eager to defend it in the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
About eight people turned out to show their support of abortion rights.
Jackson Meredith of Lincoln said he thought it was important to show there is an opposing viewpoint.
"We're not as outnumbered as it looks today," he said.
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