Abortion-rights advocates celebrate Roe court decision

Anniversary rally attendees pan bills curbing procedure

The 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that declared abortion legal inspired a rally of supporters who met Saturday to commemorate the anniversary and promote access to options when it comes to women’s health care.

A diverse crowd of about 300 people met at the steps of the state Capitol in Little Rock to participate in the third annual Rally for Reproductive Justice, organized by the Arkansas Coalition for Reproductive Justice and its member organizations.

The anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision is Tuesday.

Many attendees protested proposed state legislation that would opt Arkansas out of abortion coverage in the federal Affordable Care Act, regulate drug-induced abortions and ban abortions performed after a woman is pregnant 20 weeks.

“It’s more important than ever to let our legislators know we will not go back to a time when women’s health was at risk,” said rally organizer Christina Mullinax, copresident of the Little Rock chapter of the National Organization for Women.

It’s not an elected official’s place to impose on the privacy of a woman’s health issue, said state Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, one of the speakers at the event.

“I think we can do many things as a legislator, but we don’t have the ability to play doctor,” she said. “We have so many other things to do. To take a side road doesn’t serve a positive purpose.”

Elliott said the rally wasn’t about encouraging abortion, but about the right to choose.

Keynote speaker Dr.Joycelyn Elders spoke on educating the public about women’s rights to health-care options.

Elders, an Arkansas native and former U.S. Surgeon General, became the first person in Arkansas to become board certified in pediatric endocrinology, which deals with physical growth and sexual development during childhood, in 1978.

“Many of our young people don’t even know Roe v. Wade exists,” she said. “If we had as many laws to educate ... as we do abortion laws, just think where we’d be.”

Kasten Searles, 32, of Little Rock held a sign that read “My Uterus - My Business.” Even if abortion isn’t something a person agrees with, no one should limit the options of others, she said.

“We have a lot of people trying to legislate our bodies and I just don’t think that’s right, especially because the majority of the people trying to do so are men,”Searles said.

Other signs seen at the rally said, “No woman is required to build the world by destroying herself,” and “Families for reproductive justice.” Men and women both young and old attended.

Michael Norton, 33, of Little Rock, said reproduction rights affect everyone.

“It’s not good for anyone - man or woman - if someone else’s rights are limited,” he said.

Cynthia Saalfield, who traveled from Hot Springs to attend, remembers when that right didn’t exist. Rallies such as Saturday’s are important to promote courage in pro-choice supporters, the 71-year-old said.

“It’s too bad too many of us are afraid to stand up for something that’s already legal,” she said.

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade has opposition groups planning events as well.

The 35th Annual March for Life is scheduled for 2 p.m. today and begins at West Capitol Avenue between Battery and Wolfe streets. It is sponsored by Arkansas Right to Life.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 11 on 01/20/2013

Upcoming Events