Health Care

Reproductive healthcare activists give Mardi Gras beads to legislators

Reproductive rights activists and volunteers offered legislators Mardi Gras beads in three colors; the color to be determined by where they stand on “Reproductive Freedom” and the 2018 Reproductive Health Care Act. Blue beads were for Justice. Green beads for Faith. Gold beads were for Power. The outreach went well, mostly. Good conversations were had with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio

Rhode Island News: Reproductive healthcare activists give Mardi Gras beads to legislators

February 13, 2018, 9:55 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

Reproductive rights activists and volunteers offered legislators Mardi Gras beads in three colors; the color to be determined by where they stand on “Reproductive Freedom” and the 2018 Reproductive Health Care Act. Blue beads were for Justice. Green beads for Faith. Gold beads were for Power.

The outreach went well, mostly. Good conversations were had with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi. Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello brushed off attempts to talk to him about the bill.

Anti-choice lobbyists Barth Bracy from Rhode Island Right to Life and a lobbyist priest from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence hovered nearby, shoring up support with legislators approached by pro-choice advocates.

Representative David Bennett and Nancy Harris

Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson

Joseph Shekarchi and Nancy Harris.

House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi leads Nancy Harris away from this reporter. That’s the lobbyist for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence on the right.

Nicholas Mattiello engaged in a long discussion, not about reproductive rights.

Nicholas Mattiello engaged in a long discussion, not about reproductive rights.

Nicholas Mattiello engaged in a long discussion, not about reproductive rights.

“I have to start my session, I have a session to start,” said Speaker Nicholas Mattiello when approached on the subject of reproductive rights.

The lobbyist for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence warmly greets Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

House Finance Chair Marvin Abney talks with Rachel Jarosz.

Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, right

Nancy Harris, Rachel Jarosz and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio

Nancy Harris

Caroline Morgan Jackson