AUGUSTA — Organizers of an annual anti-abortion rally and march say they are invigorated that Maine has a governor who is publicly opposed to abortion.

The Hands Around the Capitol rally in Augusta is held each year to recognize and mourn the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion 38 years ago.

At least several hundred people attended Saturday’s event in the freezing weather, which included a Mass, a prayer service, a rally and a march before culminating with a human chain around the Capitol building. Many carried “Stop Abortion” signs. A bell on the grounds was tolled.

Teresa McCann-Tumidajski said her group, the Maine Right to Life Committee, is happy to have a governor in its corner. Republican Gov. Paul LePage attended the event but did not speak.

McCann-Tumidajski said the governor’s daughter, Lauren LePage, spoke at her group’s annual convention last fall.

“There’s a buoyancy in our step and we are hopeful,” she said.

LePage’s predecessor, two-term Democrat John Baldacci, was in favor of abortion rights.


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