PORTSMOUTH — Women's rights advocates and abortion opponents gathered on Pearl Street on Wednesday when NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire held an annual event aimed at raising funds to support pro-choice state legislative candidates in the upcoming fall elections.

For the 25th year in a row the supporters of the state's political leader in the pro-choice movement gathered at the Portsmouth Pearl theater for a "Choice Chocolate" event that serves as a celebration of progress and a fundraiser for ongoing efforts to protect women's reproductive rights.

Individuals and businesses from around the Seacoast donate auction items and food to a fundraiser that NARAL Pro Choice New Hampshire Executive Director Pilar Olivo said helps support the organization's ongoing efforts.

Dozens attended a Wednesday event aimed at raising $26,000 with this year's emphasis being on securing more funds to rally voters and support pro-choice state legislative candidates.

Olivo said NARAL is focusing on raising money to help make sure New Hampshire secures a pro-choice majority in the State Senate.

The executive director noted that court rulings subsequent to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 have placed more emphasis on state's having the power to dictate laws concerning the legality of abortion.

Olivo noted that the recent sweeping health care reform presented many positive changes for women's health issues, but had a negative effect on the pro-choice movement in that she said it further shifted the responsibility of abortion laws onto state government.

NARAL political action committee member Amanda Grady said maintaining a pro-choice majority in the state's legislature is as important as ever.

Grady said Portsmouth and the greater Seacoast Region has long been identified as pro-choice strongholds in the state.

Dozens of pro-choice friendly businesses and individuals donated food and auction items to assist with the fundraising at Wednesday's event.

"I think it's a testament to how supportive the Seacoast area is to the issue of choice," Grady said.

And while Wednesday's "Choice Chocolate" event was aimed as a fun event for organization supporters, a group protesting outside the Portsmouth Pearl had a different view of the festivities.

Approximately a dozen individuals from around the region stood in front of the theater and at the corner of Islington and Pearl streets holding signs opposing NARAL and abortion in general.

One woman carried a sign reading "babies are dying for your chocolate" while others held larger posters depicting gruesome images of a disfigured fetus.

Kathy Dufton of Newington has been protesting abortion for 27 years and was among those who traveled to Pearl Street on Wednesday to note their strong opposition.

Dufton said the group prays for those who support the pro-choice movement and hold the graphic signs to show that "dead babies are the product of choice."

The Newington resident said she understands that she is diametrically opposed to those attending the event, but feels justified in her protesting if she can prevent one abortion.

"That's enough for me," Dufton said.

Nancy Sirois — who would only identify herself as living in New Hampshire — equated abortion to slavery.

"All human life is sacred and has value," Sirois said.

Joe Moffett of Gonic also protested the event calling it a fundraiser to help kill babies.

"It's a battle between life and death," Moffett said of the protester's efforts.

Olivo balked at the protester's assertion that they respect pro-choice supporters and love them despite their differences.

The NARAL leader said she respect's the protesters right to free speech, but said many in the anti-abortion movement seek to "harass" and "shame" women about a decision she said is private.

Olivo referenced the killing of doctors who perform abortions as an example of how some protesters seem to contradict their cause.

"Abortion providers wear bulletproof vests and it's not because they are imagining things," Olivo said.

A small contingent of police officers stood outside the fundraising venue on Wednesday, but noted the protest remained peaceful.