Local march for abortion justice last Saturday

La Conner was once again on the map last Saturday, this time as the site of a Rally for Abortion Justice, one of over 600 taking place nationally Oct. 2, with the major gathering in Washington, D.C.

The Women’s March website map location was submitted by Shelter Bay resident Deana Rindy and the date listed on local social media and in the Weekly News. Saturday’s La Conner march gathered over 20 people at handmade. La Conner on First Street at 1:30 p.m. Some brought signs, others made signs while DJ Heidi played music over the portable sound system she brought.

At 1:45 p.m. they marched down First Street for abortion rights and against SB 8, the Texas law banning abortions after six weeks. Their chants included “Hey Hey, Ho Ho. Your backward laws have got to go;” “Hey Hey. Mister Mister. Get your laws off my sister;” “Not the church, not the state, women must decide their fate;” and “They say no choice. We say pro choice.”

The group filled a length of the west side sidewalk, chanting and holding their signs high and cheering enthusiastically when passing cars honked. Some tourists clapped, getting the response “join us.”

Coming up the east sidewalk, the group crossed at Morris Street, returning to handmade. la conner. to DJ Heidi playing “We are family / I got all my sisters with me” by Sister Sledge.

Salted Grape Bistro owner Nathan Salter was recognized for being one of a handful of men attending. “I have a daughter,” he told the group at the march’s end. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.” He walked with the group, finishing at 2:05 p.m., though when he came at 1:30 p.m. he noted he had left a full house at his bistro.

“This is great. This is even better than I thought it would be,” Rindy told the gathering before people split up.

“I am just infuriated. It is just unbelievable what they are doing. It is very important that we all stand up and make our voices heard,” she told the Weekly News.

The Women’s March website homepage read: “When the Supreme Court rejected an emergency request to block Texas’s abortion ban, they effectively took the next step towards overturning Roe v. Wade. Simply put: We are witnessing the most dire threat to abortion access in our lifetime.

“That’s why we’re marching in every single state and in our nation’s capital Washington, DC - on October 2 before the Supreme Court reconvenes. We need to send an unmistakable message about our fierce opposition to restricting abortion access and overturning Roe v. Wade before it’s too late.”