Abortion rights rally: Hundreds gather at Boyd Park for 'Keep Your Bans Off Our Bodies'

HENDERSONVILLE — As thousands of abortion rights advocates marched in the nation’s capital on May 14, hundreds gathered at Hendersonville’s Boyd Park with the same message: “Keep your bans off our bodies.”

Marked a “day of action” by organizations like the Women’s March and Planned Parenthood, the Hendersonville County Democratic Party (HCDP) organized the rally to support the national “Bans Off Our Bodies” demonstration in Washington, D.C., and to protest the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion that signaled the possible overturning of the nearly 50-year precedent set by Roe v. Wade.

Braving scattered rain showers, women, men and children protested with signs, banners and brightly-colored clothing to demonstrate in downtown Hendersonville on the busy streets of North Main and North Church.

“We’re angry, we’re fired up.” said Brevard resident Ellen Mason, who joined the rally with partner, Justin Starborny.

Mason, who has a 2-year-old son and is currently pregnant with a second child said, “After being pregnant, it’s only further cemented my belief that no one should have to be pregnant. I’m honestly scared if I have a daughter, it will be a different world.”

“Getting rid of Roe v. Wade does not eliminate abortion, it eliminates safe medical health care for women, especially underprivileged women who cannot seek the care they need,” said Cindy Ellis, Chair of the HCDP. “Our best defenses are letting others know we stand for freedom of choice and freedom of privacy.”

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If the Supreme Court hands down the leaked opinion, it would represent a fundamental change in how abortion and reproductive rights are protected in the United States. The new precedent would largely turn abortion laws over to individuals states, half of which are expected to ban or place strict limitations on the procedure.

In North Carolina, if the case is overturned, abortion will not immediately become illegal, according to USA TODAY.

“I would like to say I’m surprised, but I feel like we’ve seen this escalating for a long time and nobody stopped it,” Mason said of the potential reversal.

Other protesters shared a similar sentiment.

“What we had when Roe v. Wade was put into effect was access to safe abortion,” said Gail Beth Works, a 10-year resident of Henderson County. “I have a lot invested in this. Not just my life but the life of my adult daughter and her freedoms. This whole idea of pulling the rug out from under us is such a clear signal as to how the Republican side of our government feels about women.”

With the demonstration located just across the street from Congressman Madison Cawthorn’s district office, protestors underscored the importance of voting to maintain the woman’s right to choose.

Several candidates in Tuesday’s primary election also attended the rally, including Jay Carey and Katie Dean, two democrats running for Western North Carolina’s 11th congressional district.

“I’m here representing a women’s autonomy over her own body and her right to choose what’s best for her,” said Carey.

When asked about the upcoming election and it’s importance for maintaining a woman’s right to choice, Carey said, “Down ballot races are where the rubber meets the road. This is a red state with a blue Governor, and we can’t allow Republicans to gain a super majority.”

Hendersonville resident Sharon Pearson, when talking about her 42-year-old daughter and 5-year-old granddaughter, said, “I’m very concerned with the world they are going to inherit.”

Ann Twiggs, who is a precinct chair and communications committee member at the HCDP said, “Without the right to control your body, you’re not free.”

Organizers say Hendersonville’s rally was just one of 380 abortion rights demonstrations in cities across the country on May 14.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Abortion rights: Hundreds rally at Boyd Park for 'Bans Off Our Bodies'