More than 100 pro-life supporters gathered on the steps of Old Main last night, remembering the 17th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Midway through the rally -- described by participants as "Sanctity of Life Sunday" -- about 50 pro-choice activists appeared to celebrate the 1973 court decision and present vocal opposition to the vigil.

"We want to express concern for the unborn child and speak up for those who don't have a voice," said Rev. Glen Bailey, a minister with the Alliance Christian Fellowship.

Some pro-life students displayed a banner reading "Abortion stopped 4,000 hearts today," while pro-choice supporters responded with signs such as "Hands off women's rights" and "My body, my choice."

Pro-life participants lit candles representing "a symbol of hope," said Laurie Farrell, member of Centre County Citizens Concerned for Human Life. Vigil members also held a moment of silence and prayer as part of the event, which was co-sponsored by the Centre County Citizens Concerned for Human Life and Penn State Students for Life.

Today, a large pro-life demonstration is expected in Washington, D.C. and local groups plan to attend.

Although no physical confrontation occurred at last night's demonstration, about a dozen officers from University Police Services were present along the fringes of the two groups.

Vigil speakers included Bailey, Father Joel Goth of the Calvary Baptist Church, Garnett Biviano of the Pennsylvania Pro-life Federation, Sandy Fennell of Penn State Students for Life and Sandy Evans of the Centre Region Crisis Pregnancy Center.

"Many great individuals could have been aborted -- we must stand up for those who are killed for our own convenience," Bailey said. "The new laws may be the most restrictive in the nation, but they are not restrictive . . . the minor inconveniences will stop, but abortion will continue."

Last week, all but two parts of Pennsylvania's new abortion law went into effect. The legislation was the first passed by a state government following the Supreme Court's decision in Webster vs. Reproductive Services last summer.

Sandy Fennell, president of Penn State Students for Life, talked about the student's role in the pro-life movement.

"Especially since the Webster decision, there is the need for pro- life students to get involved," she told the crowd, noting the difficulty in getting students actively involved. "It's not hip, cool and groovy to be concerned for the unborn child like it is to be concerned about baby seals and Greenpeace."

Students from Penn State Pro-Choice were there to celebrate Roe vs. Wade and to pay homage to the women who have died from abortion, said Kelly Myers, a University graduate.

"We felt it was very important to make our presence known and to remember those who died in back-alley abortions," said Janyne Althaus, president of the Undergraduate Student Government.

Christie Strub (senior-art) noted a high number of men among the pro-life group.

"They just don't understand," she said.