On Saturday morning, the Women’s Advocacy Movement of Pinellas (WAMP) and around 60 other local activists gathered downtown St. Petersburg to march for abortion rights and reproductive justice for the “Repro-Rights Rally.”
Eric Lynn, candidate for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, current Florida House Rep. District 70, Michelle Rayner and Eunic Ortiz, candidate for Florida State Senate District 18, were also in attendance.
The protest, which began with several speakers including WAMP co-founder Cheyenne Cheile, was supported by members of The Universalist Unitarian Church of St. Petersburg and accepted donations, with a portion of the proceeds directly benefiting the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.
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The event included a sign making table, merch, snacks, waters and sign ups for various groups including abortionfinder.org, an online directory that offers more 700 health centers and trusted service providers for woman seeking safe abortions in the United States.
“We are here today to talk about the freedom of women’s health. We should not have to be here talking about the 50 years of rights that have been removed by a Supreme Court going against the majority of a nation.” stated Lynn as he addressed the crowd.
“But I’m here to tell you, your voice is loud. Your voice is heard. Your voice is meaningful and you are needed,” he added, followed by an abrupt applause.
Rayner then stepped to the podium following a speech by Eunic Ortiz.
“So here’s the deal y’all. We have 66 days and as my good friend (Ortiz) said ‘Abortion is on the ballot.’ Our lives are on the ballot. Health care is on the ballot. And be very, very, very clear that their agenda is—If they were to get back into power that they would actually do a complete abortion ban” said Rayner to the group.
With a quick speech on safety from the marshalls, the march then proceeded past Williams Park toward Beach Drive, receiving fist pumps and verbal support from patrons eating on sidewalk cafes and restaurants. It was met with dissent from only one driver who shouted inaudible expletives as they drove by.
“I have a friend, to this day who cannot sit in a bathtub because that’s what she was told to do after the abortion where she almost died” Sandra Weeks, Former Press Secretary for the Florida Chapter of the National Organization of Woman told Creative Loafing Tampa.
Weeks, a survivor, who was tragically raped back in 1976 and utilized legal abortion services three years following Roe was referring to a Pre-Roe abortion that took place prior to the year 1973
