BY WESLEY P. HESTER

Several hundred people this morning descended on the state Capitol for a women’s rights rally to protest what they consider encroachments on abortion rights.

The House of Delegates was to vote today on a measure that would require ultrasounds of women about to undergo an abortion, but the bill went by for the day at the request of the patron, Del. Kathy J. Byron, R-Campbell.

Del. L. Kaye Kory has just delivered a scathing floor speech criticizing the legislation.

After last week approving its own version of the legislation, the House is expected approve the measure, sending it to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk.

Opponents vehemently object to what they see as an invasive mandate, noting that early in a pregnancy, a trans-vaginal ultrasound may be the only method available to doctors.

The hundreds of protesters locked arms and silently lined the sidewalks and streets of Capitol Square. A state police helicopter circled and troopers joined Capitol police in monitoring the event. It will conclude at a 2 p.m. rally, which organizers say is expected to bring more than 1,000 people to the Bell Tower.

The protest also targets a contentious “personhood” bill passed by the House last week that would define life as beginning at conception.

Authorities are using extra officers on the ground and the helicopter to monitor the demonstrations. Capt. Raymond Goodloe of the Virginia Division of Capitol Police said Capitol police and the Virginia State Police are conducting a joint security operation to make sure today’s scheduled rallies run smoothly. “We’re just monitoring events to make sure everything’s safe,” he said.