Abortion-rights advocates rally at Ohio Statehouse

COLUMBUS — About 100 people rallied outside of the Statehouse, hoping to urge lawmakers to refrain from enacting additional restrictions on abortions.

“There’s so much to be done here in Columbus to stop the bans and to protect access to women’s health care,” said Rep. Kathleen Clyde, D-Kent, one of the featured speakers at today’s rally.

Participants held signs and chanted, with hundreds of shoes displayed on the Statehouse steps — a reference to the day’s theme of “Don’t Step on Our Rights.”

“Many of the people and the opponents have never walked in our shoes,” said Rep. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo. “And until they do, they can’t understand what women face today.”

She added, “Women’s bodies are under attack in Ohio, isn’t that right? Reproductive freedom is in jeopardy in the United States, and we’re not going to stand for it any longer.”

The rally was organized by the National Council of Jewish Women and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio as a way to show their opposition to legislation pending in the Ohio House and Senate that would restrict abortions at different stages of pregnancy.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com