About 300 students stopped by the Rock for Choice concert held on the Quad Saturday afternoon sponsored by the GW Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.

Raising more than $1,000 for the Feminist Majority Foundation’s National Clinic Access Project, which leads efforts to keep abortion clinics open and safe, the event included local artists selling pottery and music, FMLA President Jennifer Heitel said. It was meant to promote reproductive choice and increase the FMLA’s presence on campus, she said.

Local bands including Adam Richman, Bicycle Thieves, Cex, Trystic and Wonder Jack performed for free and many attendees donated a suggested $5.

Although the event did not draw 500 students as expected, the students who attended donated much more than anticipated, said Samantha Siegel, head coordinator. Siegel said she felt the musical performances were excellent and that attendees had a good time.

Senior Nicole Kantor, the Events Chair for the concert, said she was excited about the concert, which took a year and a half to organize.

“So many people are willing to donate and support such a good cause – keeping abortion clinics free from violence so that women have access to their reproductive rights,” Kantor said.

The group had planned on hosting a similar event last year but did not have a location, Heitel said. The group helped put on this year’s event with a $1,500 University grant, she said.

One of three or four males in attendance, senior Michael Sieburg said it is important to support the FMLA because of its commitment to the reproductive rights cause. Sieburg said it was particularly important to support the group now because of President Bush’s January executive decision to cut off federal funding to international groups that promote abortion.

This year, the FMLA hopes to host “teach-ins” increasing awareness of abortion right and “Take Back the Night,” which hopes to end fear of rape and violence against women, Heitel said.