Thousands join annual anti-abortion rally in Washington

In the United States, about 20 of the 50 states have banned or severely restricted access to abortion since it is no longer a guaranteed right at the federal level.

• Thousands rallied in Washington for anti-abortion rights at March for Life event.
• VP JD Vance pledged White House support and addressed concerns over progress
• Around 20 US states have banned or limited abortion post-Roe v. Wade reversal.

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Thousands of anti-abortion activists rallied in Washington on Friday, vowing to keep up pressure despite the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn the federal guarantee of the right to terminate a pregnancy.

Vice President JD Vance addressed the "March for Life" gathering on the National Mall, declaring that "you have an ally in the White House."

The rally is held annually in the US capital to mark the anniversary of the court's original 1973 Roe v Wade ruling which legalized abortion in all 50 states.

"There needs to be more awareness still that the fight isn't over. It's not going to be over until every last child in the womb is protected," said one participant, Connor Daggett, a 31-year-old law student.

"No more abortion, national ban. We can do a lot more for the women," said his wife, Jessie Daggett, 29, a scientist.

Participants carried signs with slogans like: "Take my hand, not my life," and "A human being is a human being. No matter how small."

"Get married and have kids, you won't regret it." It featured the drawn silhouette of Charlie Kirk, the ultraconservative activist shot and killed during a rally on a university campus last September in Utah state.

Vance, who addressed the same gathering a year ago, days after President Donald Trump began his second term, said that he "understands" fears that "not enough progress has been made."

The vice president said that Washington would no longer provide foreign aid to programs promoting diversity and gender equality, in addition to those related to abortion.

In the United States, about 20 of the 50 states have banned or severely restricted access to abortion since it is no longer a guaranteed right at the federal level.