Pro-Choice Rhode Islanders participate in ‘Stop the Bans’ rally

By Brittany Comak

Twitter: @ComakNews

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Dozens of protesters at Tuesday’s ‘Stop the Bans’ rally say they’re fed up with women’s bodies being legislated.

“It’s pathetic, it’s frightening, and it’s wrong,” said United Methodist Minister William Flug.

Tuesday’s demonstration at the Rhode Island State House was part of a larger, nationwide protest against abortion bans in a handful of states.

“Us here, and around the country, are saying, ‘No’, you’re not going to get away with this,'” said protester Earl McWilliams.

Recently, restrictive abortion legislation has come up in Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama.

“This is the worst situation in the United States in recent memory,” said protester Jean Louis Keith.

Alabama’s is the strictest ever passed, and makes no exceptions for rape or incest.

“Showing solidarity with Alabama,” said Pro-Choice event organizer Brianna Filippi. “And we just really want to say that these bans are unconstitutional.”

While no counter protesters showed up to today’s rally on Smith Hill, one protester outside of Planned Parenthood says he supports the bans.

“Anything that helps protect innocent, defenseless life, I’m in favor of,” said Bill Murphy.

These bans come on the heels of the recent defeat of abortion legislation to codify Roe v. Wade in Rhode Island.

Though it was voted down in committee last week, protesters say they will continue to rally for the passage of the Reproductive Healthcare Act.