Pico Women S Medical Group

Almost 1,000 anti-abortion and pro-choice activists squared off outside two Pico Boulevard women's clinics Saturday in a five-hour standoff that marked the introduction to Los Angeles of Operation Rescue, a group that has introduced 1960s-style protest tactics to the anti-abortion movement. As one side sang "Amazing Grace" the other shouted: "Not the church! Not the state! Women must decide their fate!" About 75 police in riot gear stood by.

Almost 1,000 anti-abortion and pro-choice activists squared off outside two Pico Boulevard women's clinics Saturday in a five-hour standoff that marked the introduction to Los Angeles of Operation Rescue, a group that has introduced 1960s-style protest tactics to the anti-abortion movement. As one side sang "Amazing Grace" the other shouted: "Not the church! Not the state! Women must decide their fate!" About 75 police in riot gear stood by.