Pro-lifers demonstrate at Delaware's Legislative Hall

Pro-life advocates demonstrated outside of Legislative Hall on Tuesday to show their opposition to the state’s abortion laws and a pending doctor-assisted suicide bill.

The hour-long rally came one day after the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision that struck down state laws criminalizing abortion.

“We feel we need to make a difference here at the state level,” said organizer Donna Latteri of Magnolia. “We want to protect life from womb to tomb.”

RELATED: Delaware House expected to vote on sexual harassment rules this week

RELATED: Carney calls for bipartisan approach in State of the State address

The Delaware General Assembly last year drew fiery opposition from pro-life advocates when legislators passed a bill to ensure abortion remains legal in the state even if the Supreme Court overturns its 1973 ruling.

Many of those same pro-life advocates are now turning their attention to House Bill 160, the proposed Delaware End of Life Options Act, which would allow doctors to help terminally ill people end their lives.

Introduced by state Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, the bill was advanced by a House committee last year but has not been brought up for a full vote.

“It opens up a can of worms for elderly abuse and abuse from anyone who would in any way benefit from the death of that person,” Latteri said.

She also encouraged the roughly 40 demonstrators to keep fighting for what they believe. Some of those activists carried signs that read, “Pray to end abortion” and “Equal rights for unborn women.”

“Keep battling, keep trusting and keep praying,” she told them. “We need you.”

Contact reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.