Michelle Marshall is a co-organizer of a reproductive rights rally planned for July 4 in downtown Medicine Hat. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Solidarity and support: Hatters planning reproductive rights rally

Jun 30, 2022 | 2:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A Medicine Hat woman says a reproductive rights rally planned in the city on July 4 is about solidarity and support.

“The overturn of Rowe versus Wade was a devastating blow to human rights,” says Michelle Marshall.” It doesn’t just stop in the U.S. It can very well travel up to Canada so we need to show our support for our sisters and brothers and everybody in the States who is affected.”

Marshall is one of the organizers of the rally planned for 6-7:30 p.m. outside city hall.

She says people need to be aware reproductive rights could be rolled back here and is concerned about what Conservative governments might do.

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“They have the right to make changes, they have the ability to make changes that can have devastating impacts on their constituents. So it’s very important that we speak our voice and share our concerns with the government that we don’t want it to happen here, that we need our abortion and reproductive rights protected,” she says.

Marshall says they want the rally to be peaceful, respectful of everyone and family-friendly. She says they ask people to refrain from inappropriate signs and inappropriate language.

The rally is planned for outside city hall but Marshall says they may move to Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park across the street depending on the crowd size.

If you can’t get to the rally, Marshall says you can show support by sharing the message online and with friends or considering donating to organizations that advocate for the preservation for reproductive rights.