Abortion access supporters rally
Eureka: Residents speak out on 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision
Local community members and elected officials called for the protection of the right to choose to have an abortion during a rally held Saturday afternoon at the Humboldt County courthouse.
The event, held by Planned Parenthood in honor of the 49th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, gathered around 100 community members who displayed signs in support of the right to access an abortion as a band played upbeat music and cars honked while driving past the courthouse.
Beth Frink attended the event in support of Planned Parenthood. She stated it is important to preserve the decision as several jurisdictions and an increasingly conservative Supreme Court look to revert the rights granted by Roe v. Wade.
“Ever since it was enacted, it’s been under attack,” she said. “As the Supreme Court and other jurisdictions cut access, women continue to get abortions but they do in an unsafe way, and that can lead to death.”
Eureka City Councilmember Kim Bergel was among the event’s attendees. She was happy to see a good turnout at the event as a supporter of the right to choose and Planned Parenthood.
“This has saved a lot of wom
“Planned Parenthood has saved a lot of women’s lives and they do a lot more than just abortions.” — Kim Bergel, Eureka City Council member who attended Saturday’s rally
en’s lives. Planned Parenthood has saved a lot of women’s lives and they do a lot more than just abortions. I think people need to realize that,” Bergel said. “Keeping Roe v. Wade is just critical for our society. Going back would be a great loss and I don’t see it happening and I don’t think these folks don’t see that happening either, that’s why we’re all here.”
The rally organized by the featured a brief program in which local elected officials and supporters spoke about the importance of preserving access to family planning services.
Humboldt County 5th District Supervisor Steve Madrone called on elected officials to protect the right to choose.
“As more states move to restrict abortion, California policymakers must take swift action to protect the rights here in California, because It’s just so critical for all of us and our families here to protect a woman’s right to choose,” he said.
During his time addressing the crowd, Madrone also stated men bear responsibility in preventing unplanned pregnancies.
“If men don’t join in on this as equal partners, I don’t know where I’m going with all this because we are half of the equation and we need to step up. It’s about women’s choices, but it is also a man’s responsibility,” he said before leading a call for a chant echoing the phrase.
Eureka Resident Carolyn Hino-Burassa accessed family planning services at Planned Parenthood as a college student. She is wary of the attacks on the right to choose and what they mean for people outside California.
“In California, abortion rights will probably be preserved, but the (anti-abortion
side) is relentless and if we’re not careful, we could stand to lose our rights. I just want to make sure everyone understands the fragility of the status, even in California,” Hino-Burassa said.