Activists on both sides of America’s highly-charged abortion debate have been making their voices heard in San Francisco.

Thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators gathered for the fifth annual “Walk for Life.” They were joined on the streets by a group defending a woman’s right to have a termination. Feelings are running particularly high after changes implemented by the new-look White House. Reversing a policy of his Republican predecessor, new President Barack Obama has lifted restrictions on US government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counselling abroad. Support for abortion rights is a central plank of his Democratic Party. But his actions have given rise to wrath at the Vatican, where one senior official is quoted as warning of the “arrogance” of leaders who believe they can decide between life and death.

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