• Anti-abortion activists march on Washington 40 years after Roe v. Wade

    Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

    People participate in the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington, Jan. 25, 2013. The anti-abortion marchers on Friday marked the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion, and Pope Benedict expressed support for the demonstrators.

    By Eric Tucker, The Associated Press 
    Thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators are marching through Washington to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to protest the landmark decision that legalized abortion.
    Crowds held signs and chanted Friday on the National Mall and surrounding streets for the March for Life.
    The demonstration this year coincides with the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that created a constitutional right to abortion. Earlier this week, opponents marked the anniversary with workshops, prayers and calls for more limits on abortion rights.
    Among the speakers was former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum. He says the country responded with love to the struggles of his daughter, Bella, who was born with a serious genetic condition. He said the family is better off for having Bella in their lives. 

    Michael Reynolds / EPA

    A pro-choice woman and pro-life man shout at one another outside the Supreme Court Jan. 25.

    Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images

    An anti-abortion activist is seen during the annual "March for Life" infront of the US Supreme Court on Jan. 25.

     

  • Jason Getz / Atlanta Journal Constitution via AP

    Rep. Donna Sheldon, center, throws paper into the air next to Thomas Allison after the House Majority Leader, Rep. Larry O'Neal yelled, "Sine Die," to end the 2012 Legislative Session at the stroke of midnight on Legislative Day 40 at the Capitol Thursday afternoon in Atlanta, Ga., March 29, 2012. Allison is the son of Rep. Stephen Allison, who sits next to Sheldon.

    Paper toss! Legislators celebrate at the closing of the session in Atlanta

    The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports: Two of the most contentious issues of this year's General Assembly passed on the last day of this year's session, salvaged by Republican leaders who wanted to tout them as major victories this election year.

    New restrictions on late-term abortions in Georgia, which had appeared dead in the morning, and a bill that would cut unemployment benefits for Georgians, passed with just minutes remaining in the 2012 session.

    The work to get them passed highlighted a more-than-14-hour day, one full of compromises that dominated much of lawmakers' work. Full story.