Activists protest federal contraceptive rule at Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana anti-abortion activists have joined national protests against new rules governing access to contraception.

Roughly 300 people gathered outside the Statehouse Friday to object to an Obama administration rule requiring religious institutions to provide contraceptive coverage as part of their health care plans. Similar protests were held in Valparaiso, South Bend and other Indiana cities.

Catholic leaders including the University of Notre Dame have sued the Obama administration over the mandate. They say it violates religious freedom and that exemptions offered by the administration don't go far enough.

Monsignor Joe Schaedel of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Indianapolis told protesters that the administration's talk of exemptions was hollow.

The mandate is part of the federal health care overhaul that the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on soon.