Abortion-rights rally brings 400 to Temple of Justice yesterday

Just a day after the national media organization Politico published a leaked draft of an opinion that would, if issued as-is, overturn Roe v. Wade, some 400 community members gathered at the State Capitol Temple of Justice in Olympia to protest.

The group listened to speakers from 5 to 6:30 p.m. yesterday. The event attracted no counter-protest. Several Washington State Patrol officers observed the peaceful proceedings.

The group gathered to express concern about the anticipated plans of the Supreme Court to strike down the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling of the court. This “People’s Health Rally” was organized to coincide with similar rallies across the nation to defend abortion rights.

The “1^st Draft” majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, also refers a 1992 case, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, and states,“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” Justice Alito stated, “it is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” referring to the states. 

“A person familiar with the Court’s deliberations said that four of the other Republican appointed Justices,  Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, had voted with Justice Alito,” after hearing oral arguments in December, Politco reported.

Washington State legalized abortions 51 years ago, before the Roe decision.  Many in the Olympia crowd were too young to remember a time that reproductive rights were not safe and legal.

On November 3, 1970, Washington voters approved citizen’s initiative Referendum 20, which legalized abortion in the early months of pregnancy. Fifteen other states had liberalized their abortion laws by that time, but Washington was the first -- and so far the only -- state to do so through a vote of the people. 

In January 1973, the supreme court in Roe v. Wade ruled that based on the Constitutional right to privacy the Constitution protects the liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. 

Speakers condemned anticipated action

Joined on the steps of the Temple of Justice by a large group that had marched from Olympia City Hall, the group listened to state and local officials. 

Other speakers included Governor Jay Inslee and his wife Trudy,  Lt. Governor Denny Heck, State Representative Laurie Dolan, State Senator Sam Hunt, Former State Representative Beth Doglio, State Representative Jessica Bateman, Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia and Olympia City Council member Lisa Parshley.

Dolan claimed that four of the Supreme Court Justices "blatantly lied to the Senate committee" during their confirmation hearings by stating that they understood the Roe v Wade was "established law."

Gov. Inslee stated that this is a moment that calls for action. Gov. Inslee told the crowd that Washington state needs to be a safe haven for women who seek reproductive services. Inslee stated that reproductive rights need to be a Constitutional right and protected in the ballot box.  Governor Inslee also thanked the Washington State Legislators who protect reproductive rights in Washington.

Doglio encouraged people to be open with their personal stories, for elders to share what it was like before Roe v. Wade, and that “every effort counts.” 

Cathy Pfeil is an artist and writer living in Olympia.