But that was almost the last mention of common ground during the evening.
The panelists then stated their positions in turn. Supporters and opponents of abortion rights, separated by the moderator, drew applause from their allies in the standing-room-only audience but silence from others.
The issue of violence against abortion clinics and doctors provoked heated debate.
Gloria A. Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood, said, "In the U.S. a small but loud minority are allowed to intimidate the pro-choice [movement]."
But Dr. Bernard N. Nathanson, a founding member of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) who later declared his opposition to abortion, decried the use of violence.
"I compare [those who advocate violence] to John Brown," he said. "I consign them to the lunatic fringe."
Baird, who was the target of a shooting by anti-abortion activists, assigned the blame to mainstream leaders of the anti-abortion movement, telling Nathanson to "call off your hound dogs."
Read more in News
Saturday Night Burglary in Currier House Alarms Quad ResidentsRecommended Articles
-
Blocking Clinic DoorsLast Saturday morning an abortion clinic in Asheville, N.C. was bombed. While no one was hurt in the blast, the
-
Condemning Abortion ExtremistsLast Wednesday the Institute of Politics hosted the most ambitious panel in recent ARCO Forum history at the Kennedy School
-
Two Harvard Doctors Testify Against State Abortion LawA University Health Services gynecologist and a Medical School psychiatrist testified yesterday in Boston's U.S. District Court on behalf of
-
A Liberal Objection to AbortionR OE v. Wade is in danger. Nothing else could be more encouraging to abortion's opponents. At the same time,
-
Boston Demonstrators Mark First Year of Legal AbortionsMore than 350 supporters of an antiabortion group, wearing black armbands and carrying red roses, met on the Boston Common
-
Abortion Activists Square Off in BostonBOSTON--As a small group of pro-choice demonstrators led by activist Bill Baird picketed outside, more than 500 people crowded Faneuil
