WASHINGTON, D.C.—Leave it to Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) to claim that “more than a million” people attended its April 25, 2004 march in support of the legal killing of unborn human beings. Even some of the most pro-abortion newspapers reported that “thousands” attended. But exaggerations and lies for their cause are commonplace, especially when it comes to statistics and rhetoric.

“We sent a message to Washington today: there is a war on choice in this country, but we’re going to win this battle,” said PPFA chief Gloria Feldt. “If this administration and Congress don’t get the message after today, they are deaf to a growing wave of outrage.”

Feldt spoke at the march, as did actresses Julianne Moore, Kathleen Turner, Whoopi Goldberg, and Susan Sarandon, along with Senator Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., among others. The “March for Women’s Lives” was organized by PPFA, the American Civil Liberties Union, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, and the National Organization for Women.

“Today was proof of a realignment—reproductive rights are human rights, and threats to them will result in potent and widespread reaction,” Feldt promised. But LDI’s Douglas R. Scott, who has known Feldt for 20 years, met her declaration with a sigh. “Oh, Gloria, you may decree that ‘reproductive rights are human rights,’ all you like, but killing is not now nor can it ever be accepted as a ‘right.’ Reject death and join us in supporting positive, life-affirming and real solutions to the problems facing women.”