Hundreds gather at Reproductive Freedom Rally in Midland – Midland Daily News

Hundreds of people gathered Monday in front of the Midland County Courthouse for a "Reproductive Freedom Rally" and petition signing.

At the back of the crowd sat 73-year-old Sharon Hale, sporting a Ruth Bader Ginsburg T-shirt.

With neuropathy in her feet, Hale said she can hardly walk. Instead, she rode her scooter to the rally, where she said people were kind and made room for her. The rally was personal to her, bringing back memories of the trauma endured by a friend who sought an abortion before Roe v. Wade was decided in January 1973.

I know someone that had to fly to New York in 1970 to have an abortion, Hale recalled. She was forced to see a psychologist. She had to tell that person (she) was going to throw herself down the stairs if (she) didn't get one.

Hale said when she learned that the United States Supreme Court had overturned the decision on June 24, she thought of her friend and the days before Roe v. Wade and she felt absolutely terrible.

Michael Burhans has volunteered for candidates or legislative issues in every election since 1968. He was collecting signatures for the petition at the event and was struck by the fact that he will have to continue to fight for women's reproductive health issues in the 21st century.

I fought this battle when I was a teenager on college campuses around the country with my parents, he said. I can't believe I'm out here fighting it again.

The Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative is an effort coordinated by ACLU of Michigan, Michigan Voices, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. Petitioners need to collect 425,059 signatures from registered Michigan voters to get the effort on the November 2022 ballot. As of Sunday, organizers say they already have well above that number -- over 600,000 signatures.

If Michigan voters approve the ballot initiative in November, the state Constitution would affirm that Michiganders have reproductive freedom. That means the right to make decisions about pregnancy, including birth control, abortion, infertility, miscarriage care, prenatal care and childbirth.

The rally was packed with people of all ages and genders. Many were angry, sad and tired. All were determined to express their opinions and unite with others who are fighting back against the Supreme Court decision.

I was born in 1978, so I've always had this freedom. For this to be taken away is just deplorable, said Sarah Haskett, of Midland, one of many mothers attending in support of their daughters.

Four speakers addressed the group, including U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, the only Democratic candidate for the new 8th Congressional District.

I don't trust the United States Supreme Court to protect fundamental freedoms, Kildee said. I trust women.

Midland County Clerk Ann Manary, a Republican candidate for the 95th State House District, said the decision whether or not to have a child is a sacred choice that every woman should have.

I'm running as a Republican and I'm pro-choice, Manary said, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience. Sometimes people think those two things can't go together and I'll tell you all you're wrong. Women have the right to choose. I will vote to protect that right each and every time it comes before me.

Many people said they were pleased to see Manary representing the Republican Party at a pro-choice rally. The rally was organized by the Women of Michigan Action Network and led by Allison Wilcox. Wilcox encourages people to do what they can to support the movement by talking to friends and relatives, putting a sign in their yard, and doing whatever they can to help, even if they try to avoid getting involved in politics.

Democracy is at stake, Wilcox said. People think talking about politics is hard, and it is, but that's the only way people understand the stories of other people and get that empathy.

For more on this subject, https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/05/06/americas-abortion-quandary/

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Hundreds gather at Reproductive Freedom Rally in Midland - Midland Daily News