Pennsylvania State Representative hopeful Paul Takac organized a reproductive rights rally on Sunday in downtown State College. The high emotions at the rally were fueled by the leaked Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.
Over 100 people gathered at the Allen Street Gates holding homemade signs with messages like “keep women safe,” “better a willing mother than a forced birth” and “mother by choice.” There was music playing, chanting and speeches from attendees.
“Happy Mother’s Day, or should I say 'happy domestic infant supplier day,' to all the moms who are here, fighting like hell, so their children and grandchildren can have basic human rights,” Lori Bedell said as she spoke to the crowd.
In the leaked Supreme Court opinion, Justice Alito used the phrase “domestic supply of infants” when addressing the demand for adoption. The crowd cheered Bedell on as she expressed her dismay at the leaked document and spoke about the importance of protecting reproductive rights.
“I am angry, I am sad and I’m ready to fight. Let’s go,” Bedell said.
The attendees voiced various concerns about the leaked Supreme Court draft and the implications of overturning Roe v. Wade. Jackie Bonomo said she is concerned about women losing protections under Roe v. Wade.
“I’m here because I’ve both had an abortion, and I’m a mother. And I think it’s really important that women have the right to choose. I don’t think anybody has the right to interfere with a woman's control of her body,” Bonomo said.
Carl Mayer said as a veteran, he’s upset that the rights he fought for are now at stake.
“I spent 25 years serving this nation in the United States Army protecting our freedoms and our constitutional rights. I am here to help protect the rights of the women, not to allow a group of men or women trying to make decisions for what we can and cannot do,” Mayer said.
Helen Dempsey had several wire clothing hangers attached to her shirt. She said the hangers symbolize a time when women risked their lives because they did not have access to safe abortions.
“We’re of the age when we do remember when, you know, there was no legal abortion and women would do whatever they could do to end a pregnancy that wasn’t the right thing for them at the time. So, sadly, hangers were a part of it,” Dempsey said.
Tess Crawson said abortion rights are crucial because even if women decide to continue with the pregnancy, it should be their choice to do so.
“I got pregnant when I was 21. And, they were picketing outside Planned Parenthood, and it wasn’t even an abortion clinic. And, that’s what they do with their time. They don’t help unmarried women like I was, they shame. But a very kind practitioner there talked to me about my choice. And I had my baby and I raised her. I think the choice gave me the power to be able to do that," Crawson said.
Susan Squier attended Princeton and graduated in 1972 with Justice Alito. She said a group of alumni have collaborated on a letter to their former classmate to express their ‘fury’ at the leaked opinion.
“We were so upset about the leaked Supreme Court documents that he authored. I drafted and we have all worked together editing and we have circulated a letter from the women of ‘72 to our classmate, Samuel Alito, protesting the leaked document and talking about just what a horrible, horrible move this is,” Squier said.
She said not only does she and her classmates disagree with the leaked document, but they do not find it well-crafted.
“He cites people he says are legal greats, but if you look back on it, they clearly aren’t. Some of them even supported the Salem Witch Trials,” Squier said.
Paul Takac is a candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the organizer of the rally. He addressed the crowd to emphasize the importance of the upcoming election.
“Here in Pennsylvania, Republicans have already introduced legislation identical to that already passed in Texas, Oklahoma and Utah,” Takac said.
He told the crowd he supports abortion rights and warned that overturning Roe v. Wade could impact other protections.
“From same-sex and interracial marriage to equal protections, nothing will be safe or off limits from this act of the Supreme Court,” Takac said.
Many speakers urged rally attendees to vote in the primary election in Pennsylvania on May 17. The governor’s office is up for election this year. During his eight years in office, Democratic Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed bills limiting abortion rights passed by the Republican-controlled general assembly. All the Republican candidates for governor have said they’d severely limit abortions in the state.