Abortion rights crowd draws hundreds to Stroudsburg's Courthouse Square

Hundreds of people packed the center of Stroudsburg's Courthouse Square on Monday, rallying in support for abortion access rights in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Organized by activist Jessica Brady— who has also hosted rallies and protests related to LGBTQ rights and the Christian Hall shooting— the gathering drew an enthused crowd of supporters calling upon citizens to stand up for their right to abortion access.

Brady said she was inspired to host the event "because I woke up with less rights Friday morning than I did Thursday," and "everyone should have a say over their own bodies, over their own healthcare, over their own rights."

In particular, Brady called attention to "the America where 'pro-life' really just means 'pro birth,'" where "the people who made the decision and those behind them will go to the end of the earth to defend a fetus, unless that fetus grows up to be a woman, gay, bisexual, trans, Black, Hispanic, Asian, an immigrant, mentally ill, homeless, poor or disabled."

"Judicial activism needs to end," Brady continued. "America is great in the sense that I won't get my head blown off for holding this event, but that is the bare minimum of what we should expect. If this country is supposedly the epitome of freedom and greatness, the least we can do is treat all of our people fairly. But until we have a leadership that isn't nationalistic, money-hungry, and entangled in their own self interests, our projected greatness is simply a disgusting lie."

Brady also read a letter written by a friend, whose she stated was unable to attend the event due her family's stance on the subject of abortion. The young woman, who was raped in November 2022, noted in her speech that "it absolutely destroyed me, and I could have ended up pregnant if it wasn't for Plan B," leading to two stays in a mental hospital for treatment.

Related:Northeast Pa. reacts to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade

"I plan on having kids of my own when I am older and prepared to have them," Brady, reading the young woman's speech, said. "I could not imagine, however, having to bear the child of my rapist. I understand some may, due to religious beliefs, but that does not give them the right to control everyone's decision. I am absolutely heartbroken for every woman in America right now."

Other speakers included long-standing supporters of abortion access rights such as Lauren Peterson, executive director of Women's Resources of Monroe County, local social workers, college and high school students, and sitting politicians and candidates.

"We believe in every person's right to bodily autonomy and to make decisions about what is best for their own lives, and we strongly oppose any actions, legislative or otherwise, that limit a person's right to access a full range of reproductive health care services, including abortion care," Peterson said. "We believe consent and bodily autonomy are fundamental rights that no person law or government should violate."

Among harrowing stories of travels to Manhattan to obtain an illegal abortion back in the day to the modern tales of young women fearing for their futures lest they become unexpectedly pregnant, the zeitgeist of the crowd was clear— the Supreme Court's decision would affect everyone, not just women.

Related:NY abortion clinics prep for influx of patients, but access may be an issue for some

"One thing I want to make clear is that this isn't just a women's issue, it is a people's issue," Stroudsburgh High School student Mattie Konklin said. "If you care about anyone who has a uterus, it is not only your right your responsibility to stand up for them. If I cannot force you to give my dying family member a kidney to save their life, you cannot force me or anyone else with a uterus to risk their health for a zygote."

Candidate Hope Christman, who is running for representative of the 176th district, encouraged to crowd to connect with any number of political or advocacy groups in order to turn their passion into viable action.Leading cheers of "vote them out"— directed at candidates who support abortion bans— and "my body, my choice,"

Christman pleaded with everyone in attendance to stand up and fight for their rights, before ending her speech with a call for applause for Brady, a prime example of youth activists that will be vital for the future of their movement.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Pro-Roe rally draws hundreds to Stroudsburg's Courthouse Square