The annual rally Step Out for Pro-Choice, sponsored by the Los Altos-Mountain View Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), took place in downtown Los Altos today, Friday, January 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
The Step Out for Pro-Choice protest was held in commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the court case Roe v. Wade, in which the Supreme Court said that women have the right to an abortion.
 
For over 16 years, the St. Nicholas Church in Los Altos has held a Pro-life Prayer Walk in opposition to the court ruling for Roe v. Wade. The AAUW has also been organizing counter-protests for multiple years.
 
“We’ve been doing [pro-choice protests] for the past eight years,” said Lois Rosenblum, the main organizer for the protest.
 
Before the actual march in downtown Los Altos, participants gathered for a rally at the Los Altos Youth Center. President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Linda Williams, was the featured speaker and addressed those participating in the pro-choice march.
 
During the rally, the Raging Grannies, an actively pro-choice group in the San Francisco Peninsula, performed a song about pro-choice. Other participants of the protest joined them in singing.
 
According to Rosenblum, members of the Catholic Church and pro-choice protesters walked on opposite sides of Main Street.
 
Members of the AAUW and other pro-choice participants carried signs as they walked downtown with messages such as “Keep the freedom to choose” and “Step out for pro-choice”.
 
Around 110 people were involved in the pro-choice march. Many of those who participated said they felt strongly about the cause.
 
“I think it’s very important to have this kind of protest now especially since there is a lot of controversy involving health care reforms,” Rosenblum said. “It was especially important for people to come out today.”