Health Care

Standing up for reproductive health care

In an event organized to demonstrate that reproductive rights are widely supported in Rhode Island and that there is no shame in availing ourselves of vital and timely reproductive services, including abortion, over 60 people quietly and respectfully rallied outside Planned Parenthood of Southern New England on Broad St in Providence Saturday morning. The rally was held in reaction to

Rhode Island News: Standing up for reproductive health care

December 16, 2017, 4:22 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

In an event organized to demonstrate that reproductive rights are widely supported in Rhode Island and that there is no shame in availing ourselves of vital and timely reproductive services, including abortion, over 60 people quietly and respectfully rallied outside Planned Parenthood of Southern New England on Broad St in Providence Saturday morning. The rally was held in reaction to a Christmas Caroling event organized by two anti-choice religious groups, Rhode Island Right to Life and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

The Christmas Caroling event, entitled “Empty Manger” was intended to shame women seeking reproductive health care. Between 40 and 50 people attended the caroling event.

Those rallying in support of Planned Parenthood rejected shame and provided only support. They recognized that Planned Parenthood is a working healthcare clinic and did all they could to respect and not hinder the work being done outside. There was little contact between the opposing groups.

Rachel Jarosz brought quilt squares to be signed in support of the Women’s Reproductive Health Care Act, which would codify the protections of Roe v Wade into Rhode Island law in the event that the Trump administration is successful in rolling back reproductive rights on the federal level.

Representative Aaron Regunberg (Democrat, District 4, Providence), who is running for Lieutenant Governor, was the only elected official to attend the event and was greeted warmly.

If you care about preserving reproductive health care rights, here are some ways you can help:

Give to Planned Parenthood. (If you choose Planned Parenthood of Southern New England from the pull down menu you can help our local Planned Parenthood.)

Support RI NOW

Support The Woman Project, a group working to pass the RHCA (Reproductive Health Care Act) here in Rhode Island.

Rhode Islanders for Choice on Facebook

Pass RHCA in RI on Facebook

Please send me more links to more orgs to help.


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