By Heather Graves
Editor
BROWN COUNTY – The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade continues to spark rallies throughout the country, including right here in Greater Green Bay.
Nearly immediately after the news of the court’s decision was made public, protesters of all ages hit the streets in protest.
The high court’s decision leaves abortion rights up to the states.
In Wisconsin, a law dating back to 1849 bans nearly all abortions.
Rallying for a choice
Adrianna Pokela, with Women’s Rights Green Bay, helped coordinate some of the area’s most recent rallies protesting the Supreme Court’s decision.
Pokela said a third – No Justice, No Peace – rally is planned from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, July 3, along Oneida Street by Lambeau Field.
“This will be our third rally and more than likely our biggest one yet,” Pokela said. “Our first was the largest reproductive rights protest in Green Bay’s history. We chose this spot as we will get more traction in this location. We do our rallies/protests because we see the true importance of Roe v. Wade, and that it is about so much more than just abortions – (including) its role in reproductive health, our right to privacy, our bodily autonomy and our lives are at stake with this important law.”
Green Bay resident Bethany Riederer said she participated in Sunday’s rally because the issue affects all women.
“Even though I don’t think I could ever do it, that doesn’t mean that the choice should be taken from others,” Riederer said. “My mom is my biggest reason. I am fighting for this so hard because when my mom was 18, if she didn’t have a choice and was forced to carry a rape baby to full term there is a very high chance that my sister and I would not be here. If she was forced to birth a rape baby, she would have never had more children willingly. She may have taken her own life. I am alive today with a child of my own, because my mother had a choice.”
Green Bay rally participant Kalie Mullins said for her, it’s about advocating.
“Even if it (doesn’t) affect me directly, it affects so many others, so I’ll be there in solidarity,” Mullins said. “To think women would be denied a procedure for a possibly life-threatening condition is unfathomable.”
Rallying in support of decision
On the other side of the issue – dozens of pro-life supporters took to the sidewalk along Oneida Street near the area’s Planned Parenthood location in Ashwaubenon Monday, June 27, to show their support for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Anna DeMeuse, Pro-Life Wisconsin communications director, said the prayer vigil and rally was a testimony to the power of prayer and hard work.
“For nearly 50 years, pro-lifers have been praying unceasingly and working for the day Roe would be overturned,” she said. “This day is here at last.”
As a Green Bay native, DeMeuse said she was proud to stand alongside her mom, who first showed her what it means to be pro-life, as well as dozens of other pro-life supporters.
“It means the world to me to celebrate this historic moment alongside her and know that so many years of prayer and work were not in vain,” she said. “We have so much yet to do, but this truly is the beginning of the end of abortion.”
Thoughts from both sides
Elected officials on both sides of the aisle – nationally and locally – released statements for or against the high court’s decision in the days since.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the move by the Supreme Court sends Wisconsin women back nearly two centuries.
“Republicans have taken Wisconsin women back to 1849, and it is Republicans who want to keep us there with support for having politicians interfere in the freedoms of women who will now have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers have had for decades,” Baldwin said. “I ask people to join this fight with their voices and their votes because we will not be taken back, we will move forward.”
In a statement released by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, he said the high court’s decision will allow that democratic process to unfold in each state to “determine at what point does society have the responsibility to protect life.”
“Hopefully, the debate will be conducted with sincerity, compassion, and respect for the broad range of views that people hold,” he said.
Locally, State Rep. John Macco hailed SCOTUS’s decision, calling it a victory for life.
“I applaud the court’s decision which will save millions of innocent lives and return this issue back to the states,” he said. “This is a huge victory for life, and I am proud to stand on the side of the unborn.”
State Rep. Kristina Shelton said she will continue to work toward “a world where people can get accurate, unbiased medical information, so they can make the best health care decisions they can for themselves and for those they love— including decisions about abortion.”
“As your state representative, I will continue to do everything under my power to ensure that the residents of the 90th know that their representative will continue to advocate for their reproductive freedom with tenacity and courage,” Shelton said.