BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Just two days before the two-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, hundreds turned out to advocate for women's reproductive rights on Saturday.
Despite the sweltering heat, protesters came in droves to cheer on Democratic candidates running in November's general election.
The Democratic candidates present reminded communities about the upcoming election and what could be at stake.
Among the speakers in attendance and running in November: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey; U.S. Rep. Susan Wild; Malcolm Kenyatta, a Democrat running for auditor general; and Erin McClelland, a Democrat running for state treasurer and Eugene DePasquale, Democratic nominee for Attorney General.
The rally was organized by Lehigh Valley for All, a progressive grassroots organization.
"Overturning Roe v. Wade will limit educational advancement for Latinas, adding to the cycle of inequality and hindering our progress. This decision disproportionally impacts economically marginalized Latinas, adding to the already existing social inequities that we go through in the reproductive healthcare access."Enid Santiago, board chair of Self! Lehigh Valley
Kathy Harrington, founder of the organization, dressed up as Princess Leia, part of the day's "Star Wars" theme.
Throughout the 90-minute rally she encouraged community members to vote while she crossed out names of Republican candidates running in November that were listed on large poster board.
Republican candidates running in November include, against Casey, Dave McCormick; against Wild, Ryan Mackenzie; against Kenyatta, incumbent Tim DeFoor; and against McClelland, incumbent Stacy Garrity.
Women's rights 'under threat'
Wild reflected on the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe. v. Wade, which was passed in 1973 while she was a student at American University.
"Roe's already been overturned, but that we're looking at the continuous rollback of women's reproductive rights, it's just astonishing to me. I never would have guessed it possible back when Roe was decided," she said.
Some takeaways from Rally in the Valley in Bethlehem with @RepSusanWild @BobCasa3 @malcolmkenyatta @lv4allorg @LVNewsdotcom pic.twitter.com/gqHBqM2zzV
— Micaela Hood (@micaelahood) June 23, 2024
"For years we had been sounding the alarm that this constitutional liberty, the right to make private medical decisions in consultation with trained medical professionals, was under threat. We've been saying this and we were dismissed for the most part. But now we are living in the reality of a post-Roe world, we've seen clinics not here in Pennsylvania, but clinics elsewhere shutting their doors, women being forced to carry non-viable, life-threatening pregnancies to term, and politicians and judges hellbent on controlling bodily autonomy."
The event was not just a rally for women — a small group showed up with signs and Palestinian flags to protest against the war in Gaza.
Representing Latinas
Enid Santiago, of Self! LV, a BIPOC nonprofit that helps women reenter society post-incarceration, addressed the crowd in both English and Spanish, a nod to the growing Latino population in the region.
"Supporting Roe V. Wade destigmatizes abortion and reproductive health, conversations that are already difficult in our communities. We need to understand the cultural and societal shame that currently happens, denying us the right to make choices without judgment and taking away our sense of empowerment," Santiago said.
"Overturning Roe v. Wade will limit educational advancement for Latinas, adding to the cycle of inequality and hindering our progress. This decision disproportionally impacts economically marginalized Latinas, adding to the already existing social inequities that we go through in the reproductive healthcare access."
Met with cheers
"The fundamental idea of women's empowerment was the ability to control our own reproductive system and the fact that they are trying to take that away from us, it literally obliterates everything that we have ever believed in."Erin McClelland, a Democrat running for state treasurer
McClelland, who hails from Allegheny County, touched on the similarities between her hometown and the Lehigh Valley — areas that experienced social and economic impact due to the boom and bust of steel production.
She also mentioned her opponent Garrity, while urging voters to support the Democrats come November.
The remarks were met with cheers and applause.
"The fundamental idea of women's empowerment was the ability to control our own reproductive system and the fact that they are trying to take that away from us, it literally obliterates everything that we have ever believed in," she said.
As the rally ended, about 20 protesters marched one mile to Sand Island Park while chanting "our bodies, our choice."
