'Abortion is health care': supporters rally in Harrisburg against potential bans

May 14—HARRISBURG — Advocates for abortion care and reproductive rights crowded outside the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Saturday, united behind a message shared at sibling rallies across the country: Abortion bans violate human rights.

At least 1,000 people rallied on the steps outside the main entrance at State and Third streets. Many carried signs deriding attempts by anti-abortion lawmakers to outlaw the medical procedure.

Guest speakers called on attendees to organize support at home and warned against not just a pending decision in the Supreme Court that could trigger bans across half the country, but a potential constitutional amendment opening the door to do just that in Pennsylvania, too.

They cautioned against the potential ramifications for all women, particularly those in marginalized communities: Black, Latino, indigenous, low-income, rural.

"We are furious. We are outraged. And, we are united. Get your bans off our bodies," Dayle Steinberg, CEO, Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, said in fiery remarks beckoning some of the event's loudest cheers.

"Bans Off Our Bodies" rallies, organized by progressive groups including Planned Parenthood and Women's March, mobilized supporters less than two weeks after a draft opinion of a majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices signaled federal abortion protections will be struck down.

As written, it would overturn the landmark Supreme Court 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide. The document is a draft and has no impact on current rule of law. A final ruling isn't expected until June or possibly July.

Should Roe be struck down, it would empower state governments to regulate abortion, potentially either protecting access or restricting it. Bans could exclude exceptions for rape, incest and instances where the pregnancy threatens a woman's life.

'A personal decision'

"I don't think anyone has a right to make them have a child that comes from those circumstances," said Lakeesha Bair-Myers, of Lancaster, who attended the rally with Leslie Harrington, of Palmyra.

"I don't think anyone should make health care decisions for women. It's a personal decision. I've known people who have had abortions and it's none of my business and none of anyone else's business," Harrington said.

Kristie Booth and Jeannie Wick, recently relocated from Utah, are married. They worried that should abortion rights be lost, right wing lawmakers could pursue restrictions on gay rights, too.

Joan McKinsey, of Effort, attended with her husband, Malcolm. She said lawmakers should have no say on how women make choices regarding their bodies.

"This is not a women's issue, this is a human rights issue," said Malcolm McKinsey. "Women are more than 50% of our population and we're relegating them to a time, situation and condition that's just not fair."

Josephine Kwiatkowski, of Pottsville, held a sign that read, "Veterans for choice." Her daughter, Katie Pritchett, held another: "Forced birth is not in the constitution, either."

Kwiatkowski said she served in the U.S. Army, working with nuclear weapons in an ordinance corps.

"I served my country proudly, but I didn't serve just to protect the rights of half the nation. I'm tired of these men with fragile egos. It's about equality and respect," Kwiatkowski said.

Proposed amendments

Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania up to 24 weeks gestational age.

At least 18 bills directly relating to abortion — the far majority proposing restrictions — are pending in either the Pennsylvania House or Senate, including two proposed constitutional amendments that could strengthen potential bans.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a staunch ally for reproductive rights, vetoed several anti-abortion bills during his two terms in office. The Democrat candidate seeking to succeed him in office, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, pledges to do the same if elected.

All nine Republicans on the ballot in this year's gubernatorial election are anti-abortion. The primary election is Tuesday.

The process to add a constitutional amendment, however, doesn't include the governor or a potential veto.

The proposed amendments each express that there is no right to an abortion or abortion funding within Pennsylvania's constitution. Both currently on hold in committee, they must twice pass through the General Assembly in consecutive years before being put to ballot for voters to decide.

Wolf addressed the rally Saturday. He said the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade could risk Americans' rights to make private medical decisions beyond abortion.

"That is unacceptable. Abortion is health care. It must remain safe and it must remain legal," Wolf said. "This ruling really is not about preserving life, it's about exerting control."

Signe Espinoza, executive director, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, noted that the rally comes just one week after Mother's Day. She said she had an abortion in the past. It was her choice. She's currently 28 weeks pregnant. That's her choice, too.

Pennsylvania is at a crisis point, she said. A state ban could have implications for contraception, miscarriage care and more, she said.

"This proposal is the most extreme and dangerous that we've seen yet here in Pennsylvania," Espinoza said.