Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 44F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..
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Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 44F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Event emcee Tina Cady Bain, right, starts the Rally for Reproductive Freedom march to the post office June 24 to mark the second anniversary of the end of Roe v. Wade.
The Rally for Reproductive Freedom ended at The Dalles Post Office, where participants staged a peaceful protest against the end of federally guaranteed abortion access.
Event emcee Tina Cady Bain, right, starts the Rally for Reproductive Freedom march to the post office June 24 to mark the second anniversary of the end of Roe v. Wade.
THE DALLES — About 50 people attended the Rally for Reproductive Freedom, held at City Park June 24 to mark the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision that ended Roe v. Wade, or the legal right to an abortion under the constitution.
The event was organized by Protect Oregon’s Progress (an Indivisible group in The Dalles), Columbia Gorge Women’s Action Network (an Indivisible group in White Salmon and Hood River), Hood River County Democrats, and Gorge Abortion Access Collective. Rallies were also held nationwide.
Though abortion is legal in Oregon and Washington, organizers brought attention to proposals in other states to end all contraception, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and medical help for women who face pregnancies that could endanger their lives.
“None of this is about the sanctity of life,” said Widge Johnson, one of the event’s organizers. “It’s about power and control over women. It’s about keeping people in poverty. It’s about politics.”
The Rally for Reproductive Freedom march heading towards the post office on June 24.
Trisha Walker photo
Further, there are no abortion clinics in the Gorge, as explained by speaker Kate Bertash, lead organizer for Gorge Abortion Access Collective; the collective helps connect residents in the Gorge with abortion options, among other things.
“I thought we were safe in Oregon, but I did not know that there are zero abortion care providers in the Gorge region,” said Serena Smith, another event organizer. “It’s unsafe and shameful that women can’t get healthcare here, not even after a miscarriage.”
Information tables were available from North Central Public Health, Planned Parenthood, Gorge Abortion Access Collective, League of Women Voters and Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance, as well as event organizers.
Stardust, a local band, performed before speakers took the stage. Tina Cady Bain served as emcee; Bertash and Nick Walden-Poublon, candidate for Oregon House District 52, spoke before Connie Krummrich led the crowd in song.
And then it was time to march. Cady Bain led the crowd down to the post office, where participants stopped to hold a peaceful protest. Signs included “Roe Roe Roe Your Vote,” “My other sign is a ballot,” and “Protect women’s right to choose.”
The Rally for Reproductive Freedom ended at The Dalles Post Office, where participants staged a peaceful protest against the end of federally guaranteed abortion access.
Trisha Walker photo
“We may think our reproductive freedom is safe here in Oregon, but that can change quickly, depending on who is in power at the state and national level,” said organizer Debi Ferrer. “We need to enshrine these freedoms in Oregon’s constitution and we need to elect candidates who will help us protect these fundamental rights.”
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