March Celebrating Reproductive Freedom to be Sunday, Jan. 22, in Houghton

After a windy march across the Portage Lift Bridge and back, participants in the October 8, 2022, Women's March display their signs for women's rights and Proposal 3 on the Michigan ballot, which passed in the November mid-term election, restoring the rights of Michiganders to make their own private decisions about pregnancy and abortion. Next Sunday, Jan. 22, another March for Reproductive Freedom will be held in Houghton and across the U.S. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

HOUGHTON -- Local residents are invited to join women and their friends in towns and cities around the country for a March Celebrating Reproductive Freedom on Sunday, January 22. In Houghton, participants will gather at 1 p.m. at Bridgeview Park and continue across the Lift Bridge to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Supporters of Women's Reproductive Freedom wish to send a loud and clear message across the U.S. and in the local community that though the women’s wave delivered a blow to anti-freedom politicians in the 2022 midterms (protecting abortion access in Michigan, Kentucky, and Kansas), the work is not done.

Women are still being told how to dress (Missouri Legislature), how not to talk to children ("Don’t say Gay"--Florida), or what should not be read (TX, FL, MI, …). We are ALL born free and equal in dignity and rights, irrespective of the state in which we live.

The Women's March organizers and participants will harness the power of collective voices to let the Supreme Court and US Congress know that they have failed in their obligation to protect, respect, and uphold our human rights. The message of the march puts politicians at every level of government on notice: "If you come for our families, our freedoms, or our futures, we are coming for your seat. Our movement is strong. Our movement is growing. Our movement is Bigger than Roe," say organizers.

Join marchers all across the US with your presence and signs to celebrate women's progress and fight to expand these rights. (Please no obscene signs.)

For more information, contact Susan Burack at 906-482-3270 or ssburack@gmail.com, or Vicky Bergvall at v.bergvall.mt@gmail.com.