By Patrick Baron
BLOOMINGTON – Over a thousand Bloomington-Normal residents came together in front of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts to voice their support for Planned Parenthood.
In the face of being defunded, citizens are picking up signs and shouting to keep the organization alive. People of all races, genders, and ages came out to explain why they want Planned Parenthood to remain at the forefront of healthcare. Activist Archana Shekara described her experience at the Women’s March in Chicago and how she saw a similar energy in Bloomington.
“We went to the Women’s March in Chicago; of course there were 250,000 people and it was superb,” said Shekara. “But then here in Bloomington, it’s a small town, but this many people coming out and supporting Planned Parenthood is just beautiful.”
Husbands came out to support their wives, brothers to support their sisters, men to support women’s rights. Activist Scott Clegg recalled a time when his wife needed Planned Parenthood and said he doesn’t want to see an important aspect of healthcare be taken away.
“This is all a reaction because we feel like we’re losing our democracy, we’re losing our country, and this is part of it – women’s rights, the right to choose,” said Clegg. “Planned Parenthood is a wonderful, wonderful program. And to eliminate it…you can’t replace it.”
Not only did adults come out to the rally, but there were also several children who stood behind Planned Parenthood. One young girl, Anna, explained that ultimately she should be able to make choices about her own body.
“I think that women should be able to be in charge of their own body and not have other people tell them what to do. I mean, it’s their’s,” said Anna.
Whatever their reasons for attending, the overwhelming consensus was how Planned Parenthood had positively affected the lives of those attending the event. Activist Madonna Courtright stressed how important Planned Parenthood is to her as a healthcare provider.
“Planned Parenthood has been an important part of my life and has provided me with wonderful services for healthcare and birth control,” said Courtright.
During the rally, dozens of cars honked as they drove by to show support for Planned Parenthood, much to the group’s delight.
Patrick Baron can be reached at patrick.baron@cumulus.com.
