Scene and Heard: Islanders rally for reproductive rights

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 6, 2021

A diverse and spirited group of about 200 people gathered at the Vashon Theatre parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 2, for the National Woman’s March for Reproductive Justice. Families, teens, and people of all genders and ages protested abortion bans in Texas and elsewhere. The demonstration was passionate, while also socially distanced and masked.

The march began with a rousing speech by an abortion activist, Amelia Bonow of Shout Your Abortion, a group that seeks to normalize the idea of abortion as a common choice in reproductive health care. Bonow acknowledged the reality of diminishing legal options for the right to choose an abortion. But she also made a call for education, emphasizing that early abortion can be safer and more equitably available than ever before with abortion pills. She referred supporters to plancpills.org to find out more.

Marchers then walked in a silent double loop through town, from Vashon Theatre north, crossing at the Farmer’s Market, and south back to the theater, and then again. The sidewalks were packed with socially distanced, sign-carrying supporters of the right to safe abortion.