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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA pro-choice rally in my little red town
I attended a pro-choice rally in my little, ruby red part of Florida this evening. It was organized by a young woman, whom I was proud to meet.
As the president of our local Democratic Women's Club, I felt obligated to attend - and wanted to attend. 2 things: 1. it was near 100 degrees at 5 p.m. (in May in Central Florida, for sweet Jesus' sake!) and I do not handle heat well, to say the least (think near heatstroke); 2. I truly was afraid we'd get shot.
We gathered in the center of town and walked a short bit to the main street, to hold signs and chant as "rush hour" traffic came by. The organizer had made loads of great signs on bright poster paper - and beautiful handwriting! Her SO brought a cooler of cold water and had a speaker, from which he played great 60s era protest songs. Their 2 young children were there as well.
Really good turnout for a last-minute event - I got the word last night and spread it to my membership. About 50 people, including 6-8 men, some young people and several children. This is a retirement community so that was heartening to me. We had a small counter-protest of forced birthers, who set up on the street on either side of us.
The vast majority of the response from drivers was positive - to my surprise. We got a few middle fingers, and a few shouts of "baby killers," but way more thumbs up.
Hope.
elleng
(131,240 posts)THANKS!
kairos12
(12,891 posts)I was surprised at the positive response.
TimeToGo
(1,366 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Happy to hear about it and especially the support of the men. Resistance everywhere is meaningful!
mcar
(42,424 posts)TommyCelt
(838 posts)mcar
(42,424 posts)UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)at the middle fingers. I will engage with the opposition. And I always like to bring a Honk sign..I like to own the honk.
mcar
(42,424 posts)Filing away...
calimary
(81,550 posts)gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Even a few dozen people gathered lets other folks in the community know they're not alone. Good job!
mcar
(42,424 posts)For so many years, I feared getting involved. That ended in 2016. And I found so many like-minded people who felt the same way.
sheshe2
(83,979 posts)mcar
(42,424 posts)sheshe2
(83,979 posts)50 Shades Of Blue
(10,075 posts)Maru Kitteh
(28,344 posts)mcar
(42,424 posts)I've been feeling down about everything lately. I needed the sisterhood!
FakeNoose
(32,833 posts)calimary
(81,550 posts)Last edited Fri May 24, 2019, 10:22 AM - Edit history (1)
Im a nut for graphics. These are terrific!
Turin_C3PO
(14,099 posts)It doesnt surprise me that you got mostly positive responses. I believe (correct me if Im wrong) that polls show that the majority of people even in the reddest of red states are pro-choice. Republicans are really overreaching with these forced birth laws.
mcar
(42,424 posts)radical noodle
(8,016 posts)And yes... it was very hot today!
proud patriot
(100,715 posts)Gumboot
(531 posts)... to go out and take a stand for this. Especially in Central Florida's red hellscape.
Raising a glass to you, and everyone who joined you tonight.
Rhiannon12866
(206,404 posts)herding cats
(19,569 posts)Thank you for sharing, mcar. It's good to know we're represented out there everywhere.
badhair77
(4,222 posts)Thanks for your leadership and thanks also to the young woman who organized the march. Hope indeed.
skydive forever
(447 posts)I live near Cocoa Beach
mcar
(42,424 posts)West Central Florida.
BigmanPigman
(51,646 posts)My protest is on Sat and I still have to make my sign. I need a strong visual statement besides a wire hanger or a uterus.
mcar
(42,424 posts)Stop the war on women
Don't tread on me (pic of a uterus)
Leave our women alone (held by man)
If you're against abortion, don't have one
(Coat hanger) Never again
My body, my choice
Every mother a willing mother
Pro-women Pro-choice (man)
Mother by choice thanks to Roe v Wade
Lots of others but those are what I can see looking at the photos.
BigmanPigman
(51,646 posts)I wondered if any tRump "baby ballons" were somehow used.
llmart
(15,559 posts)Women everywhere, of all ages thank you. Yes, the majority of women support legal abortion.
Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)For being willing to put yourself "out there" in Florida.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)And I so know what you mean about the heat and am impressed. We're back up in Georgia now, but by 9:30-10 I'm done with any work or walking outside, even in the shade for long.
mcar
(42,424 posts)We usually still have cool mornings and evenings. I shudder to think of July.
CDerekGo
(507 posts)what part of Central Florida you were located, I would've come and sweated along with you both!
We're in West Central FL, Citrus Cty. It got planned at the last minute so I was pleased with the response.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,498 posts)Thanks for your hard work and love of democracy.......