Sat 6/25
Slightly more than 24 hours after the Supreme Court announced that it was reducing women to second-class citizens and stripping them of their right to manage their own lives, a crowd of hundreds gathered at the Free Stamp in Willard Park downtown, one of many demonstrations/rallies across the country protesting the reversing of Roe v. Wade.
Bizarrely, an overreacting police force had multiple cars lined up a block away ready for action against a completely peaceful crowd comprising predominantly women of all ages. But the most violent thing that occurred was some shouting.
Thanks to the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus, the Shaker Heights Democratic Club and Mobilize the Vote Ohio a roster of speakers energies the crowd with fighting words, including state reps Juanita Brent, Monique Smith, Bride Rose Sweeney, Shayla Davis and Bishara Addison, state senator Nickie Antonio, Democratic candidate for attorney general Jeff Crossman, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Cheryl Stephens and one of the true heroes of Ohio’s pro-choice movement, longtime head of Pro-Choice Ohio Kellie Copeland. Women’s Caucus chair Cindy Dempsey read a message of support from Mayor Justin Bibb.
The voter registration table was located just north of the stage. There’s no excuse for not voting in November.
View the PHOTOSTREAM here.
