March in support of abortion planned for October

Several area groups are organizing a march October 2nd to condemn the recent Texas law that restricts abortion to before the presence of a baby’s heartbeat, thought to occur around the sixth week of pregnancy. Mississippi and other states have also passed laws that conflict with Roe V. Wade, a 1970’s ruling that declared abortion a protected right.

The local demonstration will begin at Bridgeview Park and then see people march onto the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. The organizers have specifically forbade any attempt to interfere with pedestrians or traffic, but you can expect to see plenty of signs and other symbols of solidarity.

According to the Women’s March website, there will be over 90 organizations helping to mobilize people across the country. October 2nd was chosen because the Supreme Court reconvenes on the following Monday for its fall term. Roe V. Wade remains controversial, 50 years later. Opponents have organized a March for Life every year since on its anniversary. Recent polling shows a slim majority feel abortion should be legal in all or most cases nationwide, with over 40 percent objecting.