Ohioans march at Statehouse to oppose abortion

Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read
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Part rally, part revival, Ohioans who oppose abortion flooded the Ohio Statehouse's west lawn before marching through the streets of Columbus Wednesday afternoon.

"Say it like you actually believe it: That nothing is too hard for God, that nothing is impossible for God, let me hear you say, 'All things,'" proclaimed Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, referencing Ohio's motto of "with God, all things are possible."

"All things," the crowd replied as Baer punctuated it with an "Amen!"

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The first Ohio March for Life − organized by the same group that leads the Washington, D.C., march every January − was a show of support for ending abortion access in Ohio from the point of conception. Ohio's Republican lawmakers are poised to ban nearly all abortions when they return to Columbus after the November elections.

"Life does not just begin at the time the heartbeat is detected. Life begins at conception," said Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum. "The shackles are no longer holding us back as state legislators, and we can and we must be a voice for unborn children here in the state of Ohio."

Jamie Scherdin of Columbus, the Ohio Regional Coordinator for Students for Life of America, leads a chant as thousands marched though downtown Columbus during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Jamie Scherdin of Columbus, the Ohio Regional Coordinator for Students for Life of America, leads a chant as thousands marched though downtown Columbus during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

Life in Ohio after Roe v. Wade was overturned

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving decisions about abortion access in the hands of state officials. Within hours, Ohio's 2019 law banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy took effect.

That law, which supporters call the "heartbeat bill," is currently on hold, blocked by a Hamilton County judge last month. That means abortion is legal in Ohio up until 20 weeks into pregnancy or 21 weeks and six days after the missed period.

Ohioans remain deeply divided on when abortion should be permitted. About 68% of likely Ohio voters said they would oppose a ban on abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks, according to a recent USA TODAY Network Ohio/Suffolk University poll. And 84% supported exceptions for victims of rape or incest.

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“Ohioans overwhelmingly support the freedom to make your own healthcare decisions, but the Republican supermajority is stripping that right away with extreme anti-abortion legislation,” said Democratic Reps. Michele Lepore-Hagan, of Youngstown, and Jessica E. Miranda, of Forest Park.

The Democratic lawmakers want to enshrine the right to "reproductive freedom" in the Ohio Constitution − a proposal that has little shot in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Marchers pass by Columbus City Hall during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Marchers pass by Columbus City Hall during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

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Ideas like that don't align with the views of those attending Wednesday's march, which featured speakers from Citizens for Christian Virtue and Ohio Right to Life. For them, Ohio is a "pro-life state." Some prayed the Hail Mary. Others held signs that read "Choose me mom," "Speak up for the voiceless" and "Abortion is America's Holocaust."

"We're standing up for the ones who can't stand up for themselves," said Jane Nagel, 57, of Lewis Center, while holding a green "Defend Life" poster.

Next to her, Lisa Bruening, 62, of Columbus, said two of her children are adopted. "And so, I've seen firsthand someone who chooses life gives a gift to a family who can't. It's been a blessing."

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"I'd love to see no abortion whatsoever," said Theresa Korte, 62, of Mansfield. "Laws are important, but we want to change hearts. We want people to see that it is a life."

After the rally, Suzanne Smith, 74, and Elaine Pace, 66, both nurses from Lewis Center, sat in lawn chairs as the band played Christian praise music.

"I don't like where the pendulum is," Pace said. "Years ago, it was over here when abortion was rare. It was meant to be rare. And now it is a method of birth control for many women."

"They say that 'it's my body. I have control,'" Smith said. "And I say, 'you're right. You have the chance not to have sex in that situation to avoid it.'"

Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, references Ohio's motto of "with God, all things are possible," during a rally and march from the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, references Ohio's motto of "with God, all things are possible," during a rally and march from the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus during the first Ohio March for Life on Wednesday. Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Ohio March for Life' advocates rally for total abortion ban