Over 100 protesters march for Roe v. Wade in Bradenton. ‘Our rights are on the line.’
A legion of passionate voices shouting for the defense of abortion rights rang off of the streets and buildings of downtown Bradenton on Wednesday evening.
More than 100 people marched from the waterfront to the Manatee County Historic Courthouse and back again for a protest, rally and candlelight vigil in response to the leaked Supreme Court opinion that, if made official, would overturn the Roe. v. Wade court decision that made abortion a constitutional right.
According to Sarah Parker, one of the protest organizers, being vocal is one of the most important things that people who are passionate about abortion rights can do right now.
“It is so important that people are out there making noise, donating and getting involved,” Parker said.
The march was organized by Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida, a grassroots organization that advocates for civil liberties and reproductive freedom.
The group was formed last year after Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher proposed banning abortion clinics in Manatee County, even though the county has no active clinics.
The proposal, which would have made Manatee County the first in Florida to ban all abortions, was shot down by legal counsel from the Office of the Florida Attorney General because it would have been preempted by state law.
Now, those in favor of abortion rights are facing a much bigger threat. The overturn of Roe v. Wade would leave it up to states to legalize or outlaw abortion. Just last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks into law. National abortion rights advocacy groups predict that Florida will join a swath of Southern states in totally outlawing the procedure if Roe v. Wade is struck down.
Wednesday’s march in Bradenton drew protesters of all ages. For some, was their first time attending such an event. Others were longtime activists and organizers.
Leaders of the Women’s Voices group called on all who attended the march to contact politicians in support of abortion rights and continue taking to the streets on the issue. They also recommended giving financial support to groups such as Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, an organization that helps women from in and out of state secure access to abortion services.
“Our rights are on the line. And we’re not going to go back to 1972,” said Women’s Voices of SW Florida co-founder Kate Danehy-Samitz.
What Florida protesters said about Roe v. Wade
- “We’ve had it since I was a young woman,” said Dianne Perry, 76, of Bradenton. “It’s my body. My choice. Not some old white man’s. I want to protect Roe v. Wade for the younger people in this country. Eliminating it will cause many health issues for women and their families. It will be a healthcare crisis.”
- “Women’s rights are human rights. Bodily autonomy is just a small part of those rights,” said Monica Valenzuela, 36, of Sarasota.
- Jaimy Gonzalez, 44, of Bradenton, showed up to advocate for the potential decision’s effect on the LGBTQ community. “If you’re a trans person in the U.S. right now, this either effects you because you have a uterus, or it effects you because they’re telling men to stand up, but they’re not counting you as man,” said Gonzalez, who identifies as non-binary. “This also opens the door for them to threaten other privacy-based laws.”
“Rich white men should not have a say on women’s bodies and decisions,” said Emilee Gately, 18, of Palmetto.
This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 11:42 PM.