By Al Benson
Approximately 200 protesters, women, men and children, turned out for a reproductive rights rally and march Saturday, Oct. 2, at Simmons Park pavilion in Aurora. Pooja Ravi and Planned Parenthood of Aurora were among organizers.
An advance statement said purpose of the event was to rally in solidarity with Texans to protect abortion access. Illinois State representative Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, led speakers at the rally. She urged the audience to vote for candidates who support reproductive rights. Voter registration information was provided by League of Women Voters. Speakers included Nicole Mullins, Aurora Grass Roots Alliance; and Batavia poet Anne Hex.
Signs carried by protesters included “Abortion justice can’t wait,” “Our future, our fight, our bodies” and “Against abortion? Don’t have one.” A man wore a T-shirt that said “Against abortion? Have a vasectomy.” After the rally, Jen Perkin of North Aurora led protesters in a march on neighborhood sidewalks. In addition to Chicago, other rallies were held in Yorkville, Naperville, and Woodstock. The Aurora rally was among 600 rallies nationwide timed ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s beginning oral arguments December 1 in a case involving Mississippi’s ban on most abortions.