Galvanized by news that the Supreme Court seems poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, 500 people gathered in downtown Westport today.
The crowd on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge included women and men; girls and boys; parents, grandparents and grandchildren, and Governor Lamont, Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Himes.
A portion of the crowd, near the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. Congressman Jim Himes (center, behind the blonde woman) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (right, blue jacket) mingled with attendees.
They held signs. They chanted. They cheered when passing drivers honked in support.
They listened intently to speakers — not just politicians, but two obstetricians, and women with close experience with illegal abortions.
Educator Joy Colon addresses the crowd. Signs held up behind describe resources to help women in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Lamont — who will sign a first-in-the-nation bill protecting medical providers and patients seeking abortion care here, and expanding the type of practitioners eligible to perform abortion-related care in the state — noted that the downtown bridge is the site of many rallies. He called it “the conscience of Connecticut.”
“Keep your hands off our women, our doctors, our justice,” he warned those seeking to curtail abortion rights.
Lamont introduced State Representative Matt Blumenthal, who was a driving force behind the new Connecticut law, also spoke.
Blumenthal introduced his father. The US senator said he was “proud to be in this fight for decades.”
The crowd included many young people — including boys.
Himes said that people who “claim to be conservative want to overturn 50 years of settled law.” He praised 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — standing at the front of the crowd — as a Republican ally.
(From left): Governor Lamont and Senator Blumenthal listen to Congressman Jim Himes.
Rally organizer Darcy Hicks then noted that it was time for women to speak.
Rally organizer Darcy Hicks
Dr. Janet Lefkowitz — a Westport native, Staples High School graduate, and prominent OB/GYN and assistant professor at Brown University who provides abortion care in Southern states — recounted her difficult experiences in Mississippi and Alabama. She did not become a doctor to get involved in politics, she said — but it has become part of her patient care.
Fellow OB/GYN Dr. Shieva Ghofrany of Stamford said that people who are pro-choice “truly honor the living.” Noting that comprehensive sex education reduces unwanted pregnancies, she urged those who are pro-life to embrace education, maternal leave, and contraception.
Teacher and Trumbull Town Council member Joy Colon spoke of the impact of overturning Roe v. Wade on people of color. “People who look like me should not die because they don’t want to be pregnant,” she said.
(All photos/Dan Woog)
When / where is the pro-life rally?
I have not heard of one. If I do, I will of course publicize it and cover it.
The sign that says pro-life until the progeny is black, poor, LGBTQ, etc is the best sign, and that is the real message…these “pro-life,” Taliban imitating folks are the same ones who bitch and moan about welfare, ATDC, etc when the unwanted, unaffordable progeny is born…and billed to them.
Just saw a great post: “Pro Life” would be 20 Sandy Hook kids starting high school…
Bravo, Kudos women. Racism is not just about skin color; it has always been a part of the female experience; and it is past time that it is dealt with in an adult way! Take notice politicians; women vote too!!!!