HOUGHTON -- Joining commemorations of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in towns and cities across the country on January 22, 2023, local residents held a Walk for Reproductive Freedom from Houghton to Hancock and back across the Portage Lift Bridge.
Supporters of Women's Reproductive Freedom sent 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 in some states, including Michigan, the work is not done.
"I feel very strongly that it is important to march in my community," said Susan Burack, co-organizer of the local march. "Puts us on the map. 'Do what you can where you are.'"
After gathering in Bridgeview Park for some words of inspiration, supporters of Reproductive Freedom head up to Shelden Avenue in Houghton to cross the Portage Lift Bridge. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)Pausing on the bridge during the Jan. 22 Walk for Reproductive Freedom, Becky Darling of Chassell explains why she is there. Her sign indicates several women's walks in which she has participated in recent years.Participant Valorie Troesch commented on recent laws against reproductive freedom that have followed the Supreme Court's attack on Roe v. Wade.
"Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization adds to the tragic legacy of the Roberts Supreme Court," Troesch told Keweenaw Now. "That decision was issued without regard to the impact that it would have on women's lives. The fact that we now have 50 different sets of laws regulating reproductive health and freedom -- laws that are all too often confusing and subject to arbitrary interpretation and enforcement -- is something that Roe v. Wade had ended 50 years ago.*
"But the Dobbs decision also had an effect not anticipated by the Supreme Court -- it activated, reactivated, and motivated tens of millions of women and men to take all kinds of actions (political, financial, electoral, legal) to stand up for and protect reproductive rights. We know our work will not end soon and that it will not be easy. But it is necessary. It was good to see so many committed people out here today."
Co-organizer Vicky Bergvall, representing the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, explained why the local march, while celebrating Michigan's constitutional amendment for reproductive freedom secured by the 2022 ballot initiative, is intended to send the message that reproductive rights should be assured across the whole U.S., not just in some states.**
Vicky Bergvall of the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country explains the purpose of the Jan. 22, 2023, March for Reproductive Rights in Houghton.
Will Ligon, organizer for We the People MI, who also participated in the Jan. 22 March, agreed on the need to celebrate progress as well as to continue working for reproductive freedom across the US.
"It's important for folks across the state of Michigan to be able to come together and celebrate like this, remembering all of the hard work that paved the way for this moment," Ligon said. "While we make steps towards the future we want to see, where bodily autonomy is respected and people have the right to choose, we still have a ways to go to ensure that all of our folks across the country have those same freedoms."
Notes:
* Click here to read about the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Supreme Court decision.
** Learn about Michigan's Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom here.
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