By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Lauren Reinagel came armed with a megaphone, a sign and her story Friday afternoon as she and her family stood with others in Bowling Green protesting the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Reinagel, of Bowling Green, had an abortion when she was young. As she, her husband and their three sons stood at the four corners downtown, Reinagel held a sign that said “You do realize women have heartbeats too, right?”
“I would not be where I am today without those health options,” she said.
One of her sons, Benjamin, 14, explained his reasons for joining the protest.
“This is completely wrong. I never thought this would be an issue,” he said of the loss of reproductive rights. “I wanted to come here to protect the rights of my family, and my future family.”
For the second time in less than a week, more than 100 people stood at the four corners in downtown Bowling Green on Friday, demanding that their reproductive rights be returned.
While the chants of “We won’t go back” and “My body, my choice, my country, my voice” were mostly met with motorists’ thumbs up and supportive honks, there were also some who disagreed with the protest.
“If you weren’t all whores, you wouldn’t need abortions,” one driver yelled at those rallying.
The protesters were undeterred.
“I’m here to fight for women’s rights,” said Lexi Lopez, a graduate student studying public health at the University of Toledo. “I want to protect their freedom and their choice.”
“I’ve had people in my life who have been sexually assaulted, who have needed options to keep themselves safe,” Lopez said. “Ripping that away is inhumane.”
Some of the protesters also poked at another recent decision by the Supreme Court to broaden gun rights.
“My uterus has more regulations than your guns,” read the sign held by Chloe Higgins, of Bowling Green.
“The government finds ways to do this, but finds excuses not to pass gun regulations,” Higgin said.
Another sign read, “If you don’t like abortions, ignore them like you do school shootings.”
Some of those rallying were looking for solutions. Standing at one corner downtown was retired Bowling Green City Council member John Zanfardino – with a clipboard for registering voters.
“I never leave home without it anymore,” he said. “Though most of these folks will probably be registered.”
On another corner stood a group of science doctoral students from Bowling Green State University.
“We are scientists speaking out,” said Madison Altieri. “My grandma fought, and now I am.”
Though most of the protesters were women, men also joined the effort.
“I want to show support for the women in my life,” said a doctoral student from BGSU. “All men should be saying that. Abortion is healthcare.”
The protesters said a prolonged presence may be necessary to remind leaders that the demands for reproductive rights won’t quietly disappear.
“We need to continue to let people know we’re upset about this and we’re not going to back down,” said one of the rally organizers, Caytlin Schultz.
Brittney Klockowski said the fight has just begun.
“I don’t want to be oppressed. I had no idea I would have to fight for this in my lifetime. I thought my mother did that,” she said. “We’ll be here as long as it takes. This isn’t going to go away for me.”
The posters held by protesters reflected the anger over the loss after nearly 50 years of reproductive rights.
“My arms are tired. We’ve been holding these signs since the 60s” one stated. “Forced pregnancy is a war crime,” “We are women – we will not go quietly back to 1950,” and “Abort the SCOTUS” read others.
And one sign addressed what one protester said is the hypocrisy of those opposed to reproductive rights. “You’re pro-life until the baby is poor, disabled, an immigrant, transgender, black, gay, sick, etc.,” her sign stated.
