Locals in Rapid city are protesting to support legal abortions. About thirty people gathered to remember and support rights to women given through the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision. This comes at a time the court is considering tougher restrictions.
In 1973, the Roe v. Wade decision granted some abortion rights to women. Now, some women says they feel those rights are at risk of being repealed. Lily Mendoza says she believes abortion should be an individual a woman’s choice.
“I was 15 years old when Roe v. Wade was put into place. I’m 61 years old now. And we have to keep fighting for that. We have to keep fighting for women that don’t have a choice that maybe are forced into relationships that they don’t want to be in-incest, rape. And so we need to make sure that these women are protected and they do have a right to go and seek an abortion if they’re uncomfortable with their situation.”
Mendoza says she believes abortion is a human right and the state and government shouldn’t be involved in the discussion.
Carol Hays Says she remembers when the Roe v. Wade decision was passed.
“Oh gosh, there were celebrations. Women poured into the streets-literally poured into the streets. It was wonderful.”
Hays says the conversation extends beyond abortion.
“Bodily autonomy is what we’re after. We need to have the right to control our own reproductive rights, our own bodies in every respect. And we need need support for our children to have childcare, support for educational efforts to support our children with disabilities. All of these things are under attack right now by politicians who want to not only fail to keep funding them but to defund them.”
Hays says she believes legislation that focuses on other issues like these also limit women’s rights.