That would exceed the estimated 500,000 who demonstrated for abortion rights in 1992.

March organizers said their goal was to spotlight the importance of a wide range of reproductive health issues for women in the United States and abroad: Sex education, access to birth control and prenatal care, and social policies that provide child care and job training to women with children.

Rochester organizers estimated that more than 1,000 people from the area participated in the march.

Meghan Gilligan said Sunday that being a part of the event was incredible.

"It's important to preserve the rights that the women who came before me fought for," said the 18-year-old Rush-Henrietta High School student.

Gilligan and about 20 teachers and friends from Rush-Henrietta High School left Saturday at 11 p.m. and arrived early Sunday morning.

Janet Ekis, 50, of Naples, Ontario County, said the march was very inspirational. Seeing so many young people was a high point for her.

"They were out there and really enthusiastic," Ekis said of the younger crowd. "I think that's really important."

Ekis and her sister Sue Lawrence, 52, from Henrietta were tired after the long day of walking, but they agreed that it was worth it.

Marjorie Beldue of Spencerport said that although her legs were exhausted, Sunday was a day she would never forget.

Beldue, 52, is a representative for the Genesee Valley Division of the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

"It's been very emotional," Beldue said. "There was a lot of pro-life along the way, but we stayed strong."

About 1,000 pro-life protesters held photos of fetuses and signs saying that abortion is murder. Confrontations between the two sides were emotional but largely peaceful.

According to Pat Amato of Rochester-based Democrats for Life of New York, "we have to stress that abortion does harm to women and children." Amato, who was not at the Washington march, added, "I can't believe the Democratic Party, which I believe in so much as a social justice party, just doesn't open its eyes."

By late afternoon, U.S. Park Police had made 17 arrests: One person for disorderly conduct and 16 members of the Christian Defense Coalition for demonstrating without a permit.

Includes reporting by staff writers Enid Arbelo and Matthew Daneman