Jan 8, 1997 at the U.S. Supreme Court

While arguments for and against legalizing assisted suicide were heard inside the Court, activists on both sides of the issue protested outside. Not Dead Yet protesters came from across the nation.

Greg Dugan of Washington, D. C. leads protesters:

"We're going to make some noise," Not Dead Yet's Diane Coleman told reporters. Not Dead Yet members could be seen on most national TV news programs that evening.

Above: Diane Coleman speaks while Cassie James looks on.

Left: Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D.

Below: Mouth founder Lucy Gwin, left; former EEOC Chair Evan Kemp, Jr., center; ADAPT's Mike Auberger, right.

Whether reporters understood NDY's points is another matter. Though photos of these protesters filled TV screens, reporters turned to ethicists and others for commentary.

Right: Celestine Willis of the National MS Society, Chicago.

Bottom: Left to right: Justice For All's Yoshiko Dart and Justin Dart; Mary Jane Owen of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities.

Not all disabled people agree with Not Dead Yet. Many people with severe disabilities, from Elizabeth Bouvia in the early 1980s on, believe they should have a right to assistance in ending their lives if "things become too unbearable." And some disability rights groups support this.

Right: Andrew Batavia of Florida supports assisted suicide. Here he watches protesters.

Bottom: At the base of the Supreme Court, Not Dead Yet holds its sign; farther up, groups supporting assisted suicide gather.