THUNDER BAY – Events Now – “The issue of woman’s legal right to safe and accessible abortion services has been settled in 1988 by the Supreme Court of Canada”, says Julie White, Director of the CAW Women’s Department . “The only question that remains is whether women across Canada have the ability to exercise this right”, said White “Even today; women in rural communities still do not have adequate access to services, a situation that needs to be addressed”
Supporters of the anti choice movement are assembling across Canada, in the hope of overturning a woman’s constitutional right to accessible and safe abortion services. The CAW is helping organize peaceful demonstrations to meet the anti choice supporters as they arrive in our communities across the country.
“Availability of abortion is essential for women’s health and lives,” said Joyce Arthur, Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada.” Abortion cannot be eliminated because we will never live in a perfect world where unintended pregnancies don’t happen. And if women can’t access a safe and legal abortion, they will resort to dangerous methods.” Arthur predicted the anti-choice tour will fall flat and soon be forgotten. “There’s no comparison between a group of brave and revolutionary women who succeeded in bringing serious national attention to women’s rights in 1970 and a group trying to turn back the clock on women’s rights.”
Kari Jefford, one of the protest organizers, is frustrated by the Canadian Center for Bio-Ethical Reform’s methods. “The fear, guilt, and shock tactics behind the caravan works only to alienate the general public. These tactics are meant to terrify women, rather than work towards a well informed and safe decision. There is nothing left to debate: access to safe legal abortions in Canada is here to stay.”
A group will be meeting in the parking lot of Paulucci’s Wayland Bar and Grill on Saturday June 16, 2012 at 6:00 pm.