Choice Activist Rallies Voters

Citizens must vote in the upcoming elections to protect endangered abortion rights, an pro-choice activist said last night in an address at the Science Center.

Amy L. Enfield, a volunteer from Mass Choice, urged people to scrutinize candidates in the state and national elections on the abortion issue--and elect the ones who say the government should not deny women the right to have an abortion.

'Very Difficult Choices'

"There are some very difficult choices we have to make as human beings, and government has no place in interfering," said Enfield to an audience of about 20 people.

In a speech sponsored by the Humanist Forum, Enfield said that the 1991 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision was a defeat for the pro-choice movement. That decision granted stronger powers to the states to regulate abortion, she said.

Enfield added that the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision has lost its original force.

"What is a right to choose when the weakest in our society don't have access to that right? Only the shell of Roe v. Wade remains," Enfield said.

Enfield emphasized the importance of political action in the struggle to protect abortion rights. She urged the audience to base their vote next week on the abortion issue and "make sure your candidates know you're voting on the choice issue."

Enfield distributed information on the abortion stances of all the candidates running for offices in the state Legislature, and of all Massachusetts candidates vying for seats in the U.S. Congress.

Perot Supporter Speaks Out

Enfield's remarks were interrupted twice by William F. Lennon, a 79-year-old retired Harvard Dining Services employee.

Lennon, a vocal supporter of independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, produced a copy of Perot's platform from a worn green bag. Lennon insisted that Enfield read aloud from the sections detailing Perot's pro-Choice and pro-contraception views.

Enfield, who wore a button that read "Pro-Choice, Pro-Clinton," reluctantly complied with Lennon's requests. She then said that Democratic candidate Bill Clinton strongly advocates abortion rights.