Abortion rights backers stage rally
Protesters decry possibility of court tossing Roe v. Wade
Jennifer Marvin of South Windsor is “fundamentally shaken.”
Marguerite Carnell of Simsbury is “so angry.”
The two women were not alone in their outrage Saturday as more than 100 people gathered outside the Capitol in Hartford to rally and march against the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that established a constitutional right to have an abortion.
While acknowledging that Connecticut recently passed a law, and Gov. Ned Lamont signed it, that expands abortion-related protections in this state, several of those at the rally organized by Black Lives Matter said they turned out in the wake of the leaked draft court opinion to show support for women and girls in other areas of the country who could face losing those protections.
Speakers also noted concern for the rights of the LGBTQ community. The rally participants gathered on the park side of the Capitol and then marched along Elm Street. Many carried signs with words supporting their message.
Cal, who identifies as nonbinary, said reproductive care should be paid through the health system. “My body, my choice,” Cal said.
Carnell and her daughter Catherine Rodney, of Simsbury, attended the rally and march together. Rodney, a student at UConn, said she is concerned about taking away choice for women and girls elsewhere. She said she sees that “Connecticut is doing a lot” but she “wants women everywhere to “know they are not alone; you have the support of so many others.”
Carnell said her anger comes from the possibility “that women are losing a right we have had for 50 years.” She said she is particularly concerned about the impact overturning Roe could make on women who are disadvantaged economically.
Carnell said she also was at the rally in support of Black Lives Matter.
Marvin said she sees the possibility that Roe could be overturned as “truly an attack on women as not being fundamentally human and having equality.”
She said in regard to abortion, “You should not get to say whether I do or I don’t.
“It’s my decision; it’s a private decision.”
When Lamont signed the bill this past week, he noted in a video released that day that the draft ruling leaked from the Supreme Court has raised concerns about the overturning of Roe v. Wade and ending a “woman’s right to choose.”
“No politician is going to get between you and your doctor,” in Connecticut, Lamont said. “You make the choice.”