By Michele Bourdieu
HOUGHTON -- Supporters of women's reproductive rights, including the right to choose and the right to abortion as guaranteed in the United States by Roe vs. Wade, walked from Houghton to Hancock and back across the Portage Lift Bridge on a very warm Saturday afternoon, October 2. Many remained on the bridge displaying signs to oncoming traffic and receiving supportive honks from people in passing vehicles.
The local Women's March was one of more than 600 "sister marches" across the US this week, partly in reaction to the recent Texas 6-week abortion ban.
Casper Padilla, Andrea Kingzette and Lauren Mancewicz, pictured r. to l. in the photo above, were among those who told Keweenaw Now why they joined the March.
Displaying a sign that said, "No Freedom Without Access," Padilla, a member of Michigan Tech's Students for Sustainability, said he believes in this movement for women's reproductive rights.
"I think that as a man I should support women, not bring them down," he said.
Accompanying Padilla was Andrea Kingzette of Pontiac, Mich., who recently moved to Houghton. Her sign, "Abortion Is Health Care," expressed a basic view of those who support legal abortion.
Lauren Mancewicz, a Michigan Tech graduate student in environmental engineering, carried a sign saying, "OUR bodies are NOT your POLITICAL PLAYGROUND."
"I think it's really important to stand up for what you believe in, especially in today's political climate," Mancewicz said.
A group of Baraga County Democrats also displayed signs facing traffic on the Houghton side of the bridge.
Al Punser of the Baraga County Dems said their members often travel to Houghton to participate in marches for liberal causes.
One of several local groups promoting this march was Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action.
Susan Burack of Hancock, who called herself the "instigator" (but not the leader) of this March, said the event was a collaboration of several groups, including the League of Women Voters® of Copper Country, local Democrats, Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action and others. She added it was important to have a local event and it was good to march in nice weather (Previous women's marches here were in January).
"Lots of traffic on the Bridge so we were VISIBLE," Burack commented. "Nice to have so many young people. One woman visiting from California. Another from downstate for Parents Week-end and glad to have a march here. Two co-eds from NMU (Northern Michigan University in Marquette) who drove over to march. Great signs."
Members of the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (KUUF) gathered near the Bridge after marching.
Valorie Troesch, an active member of the Houghton County Democratic Party, told Keweenaw Now the Houghton County Dems didn't march as a group but did announce and promote the event. Several of their members, who participated in the March, gathered afterwards for a photo.
"This gathering of men and women in support of women's rights -- and most importantly right now, the urgent need to protect the rights established by Roe vs. Wade and keep abortion safe and legal -- was gratifying," Troesch said. "There was so much community support as well from the cars that drove by and honked. That was not surprising given that the vast majority of Americans want abortion to remain safe and legal."
Troesch also referred to testimonies in Congress this past week from women who spoke about their experiences with abortion -- testimonies demonstrating that no woman takes the decision to have an abortion lightly.
"The right of choice has been under attack ever since 1973 when Roe vs. Wade was decided, but it has never been more endangered than now," Troesch added. "At risk is the right to an abortion under almost any circumstances and, for all practical purposes, complete denial of the right to poor women who cannot afford to travel any distance or pay to obtain a legal and safe abortion. And we must act in Michigan. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, the law in effect prior to that decision may likely go back into effect -- it has never been repealed. We must let out representatives and Governor Whitmer know where we stand."* (See UPDATE in Editor's Notes below.)
Barry Fink, president of the League of Women Voters® of Copper Country, also promoted the March with email ). She spoke to Keweenaw Now after the March on why voting is important for the protection of women's reproductive rights, including abortion.
Fink began by saying she was pleased with the turnout for the event.
"I was especially pleased that we had students from Michigan Tech," Fink noted. "They had a sign-making session last night and they were here today."
Concerning her "Vote! It counts" sign, Fink referred to the importance of keeping abortion legal.
"The question of the legality of abortion and reproductive rights is legislative," Fink said, "and that requires that we have legislators who respect the will of the people. We know the majority of Americans want abortion to remain legal and safe."**
UPDATED: Editor's Notes:
* See "'An alarming time for women in our country': Hundreds rally in Lansing for reproductive rights," in Michigan Advance, Oct. 2, 2021.
** See CBS News report on the Women's March in DC Oct. 2: "Thousands gather for the 2021 Women's March to stand up for abortion rights."
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