OTTAWA - Two topless protesters tried to get under the skin of anti-abortion demonstrators Thursday, but police put an end to it in a flash.

It's the 18th year for annual March for Life event, which usually draws up 25,000 people to Parliament Hill to oppose abortion.

Opening ceremonies were briefly interrupted Thursday when one woman, dressed in a skin-coloured latex suit covered in faux blood, emerged from the crowd chanting, "My body, my choice."

She was quickly followed by two other topless women who rushed the stage to defend a woman's right to choose.

RCMP wrestled the women to the ground and placed them in handcuffs. The women continued to chant as they were led off Parliament Hill and into police cruisers.

It was a small distraction for the thousands of pro-life marchers who continued along Wellington St., down Elgin St., then onto Lisgar St., and eventually back to Parliament Hill.

Sarah Rodiman, 27, was one of the abortion rights protesters waiting to greet them.

"I think the issue with trying to find a middle ground is that neither side is willing to penetrate their politics for the other side," Rodiman said. "I think the issue is bigger than abortion politics. It's about getting the social conditions to let women have better reproductive and life possibilities."

Leane Degraaf, 25, one of the March for Life demonstrators, agreed.

"I'm not necessarily expecting to change the law but I hope that we can show people and get people to maybe think a little bit but in a peaceful way," Degraaf said. "I think both sides have to respect one another."

Organizers would not yet provide an estimate on how many marchers participated this year, but it was similar to past years.

dani-elle.dube@sunmedia.ca



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