This was yet another march to denounce encroachment upon an issue that shouldn't have to be in a civilised society, but in the end there is no such thing as a sacrosanct right and a settled issue.
About three dozen people, men and women alike, gathered at Centennial Square in Victoria and marched all the way downtown to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to remind people that our reproductive rights are under constant threat from those that would turn back the clock and criminalise abortion.
Allow me to state first and foremost that the turnout was disappointing. The event drew a lot of attention on Facebook, getting over 200 commitments to join the march, but in the end only a tiny fraction attended. It may be due to the fact the date was pushed back a week, but I doubt it. It may well be that too few people take the issue seriously enough. To put things into perspective, there was a pro-life rally at the Legislature back in May, which did draw hundreds of people. This is how our rights end up being eroded: by a committed minority drowning a complacent majority.
Let’s talk about the event proper. The marchers went across town chanting: “My body, my choice!” and other slogans to the general approval of bystanders. Once the protesters had reached the Legislature, some came forward to share their views and experiences on the topic. One of them spoke particularly well:
[47 years ago], the issue was being debated, and women were speaking out for choice. And I cannot believe that, in this year, we are still debating this, that this is even up for debate. We deserve choice, we deserve autonomy, let’s keep speaking out, let’s grow this march, let’s grow this movement and show solidarity with women in the States who have lost their choice. I bet there were so many women there thought that Roe vs Wade was the bottom line that meant their right was protected and we’ve seen that erosion, that issue women get trashed down there again. Let’s protect our right here and let’s stand in solidarity with the women there. Let’s keep it going, let’s keep our voices strong, let’s keep growing this movement. I’m sad we have to do this all over again, it feels like we’re right back to square one. But we’re willing to do it to protect our right to choose.
My thoughts exactly. And yet at this rate Canada will follow the US down the pit, precisely because there are way too few brave women like her standing for their rights against those that would take them away.
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Never take your rights for granted. Women in particular know even hard-earned ones are never far from being taken away.
Although the event was a relative success, its outcome leaves me most apprehensive. Regretfully, we had to end it early.
