Students for Choice will rally for abortion rights at noon Thursday at the Statehouse. Their purpose, along with 19 other sponsoring organizations, is to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and oppose Ohio’s anti-abortion legislation.The 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the United States.In addition to the rally, abortion rights advocates will be able to meet with their senators and representatives to discuss their views.”The whole pro-choice community is going to be represented,” said Dawn Mosher, treasurer for the group.”We want our voices to be heard,” said Stephanie Eaton, president of the group.Students for Choice is a student organization that wants to promote and educate people on women’s reproductive freedom and health.The group hopes to change some people’s minds about abortion, said Eaton, a sophomore majoring in social work.”It’s important for the younger generation to understand what it was like before abortion was legal,” said Aly Terrell, the state organizer for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.Many college students take their right for granted because they have always legally been allowed to have an abortion, said Terrell, an OSU alumna who majored in communications and women’s studies.Mosher, a sophomore majoring in social work and English, said the group is currently fighting two bills that could mean more restrictions for minors, and women with state jobs, seeking abortions in Ohio. Minors would have to get a parent’s consent before getting an abortion and state workers would no longer be able to use their health plans to pay for abortions. The bills were passed last week by the Senate and were sent to Gov. George Voinovich, who is expected to sign the bills into law. The rally is also a response to the anti-abortion gatherings, Mosher said.At the same time as the rally, Bishop James Griffin will hold a Mass for the respect for life at the St. Joseph Cathedral at 212 E. Broad Street.Ceci Gray, the pastoral associate and campus minister for the Newman Center said she will uphold the teaching of the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church believes that all human life is sacred, she said.”I think people have to act in accordance with their own conscience, no matter what the issue is,” Gray said.The Newman Center is willing to talk to anyone at OSU who has an unplanned pregnancy, she said.”We encourage people to participate in activities which call for non-violence and respect for human life,” said Jerry Freewalt, the program coordinator for the Department of Social Concerns for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.The Students for Choice will have an informational table Friday in the Ohio Union to raise awareness of the anniversary and educate students about current legislation that is against the freedom of choice.