Anti-abortion protesters gather at Capitol

BOISE (AP) — An anti-abortion group planning a live ultrasound exhibition in the Idaho Capitol now has company: A group of counterdemonstrators opposed to efforts to require women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound.

Anti-abortion advocates planned to hold the ultrasound exhibition today in the Capitol building.

Meanwhile, foes who say the measure is an unnecessary intrusion of government into private lives met starting at noon on steps outside the Capitol.

The ultrasound mandate has passed the Senate 23-12.

It's now up for House consideration.

Security at the Capitol was preparing for the arrival of two groups with opposing views on one of the 2012 session's most-divisive issues.

Capitol officials said Right to Life of Idaho, the group conducting the ultrasound exhibition in Senate basement room WW53, couldn't restrict attendance.