Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
As state lawmakers prepared to vote on a bill to require women to undergo an ultrasound exam before having an abortion, several hundred people gathered at the State Capitol on Monday to protest that and other anti-abortion proposals from Republican legislators.
Many of those at the morning protest made their point without speaking.
"Shame" blared the hand-drawn yellow letters on the front of one protester's shirt. "If you can cut off my reproductive choice, can I cut off yours??" read the back.
Other demonstrators used more blunt metaphors.
Some wore duct tape over their mouths with the word "Choice" written on it. One woman displayed a metal coat hanger, intended to evoke memories of back-alley abortions from the days when the procedure was illegal.
The protest was organized through a Facebook page dubbed "Speak Loudly With Silence," said Morgan Zito, a Virginia Beach native involved with the demonstration.
"There's a new generation that's been electrified by what's going on in Virginia," said state Sen. Janet Howell, a Fairfax County Democrat.
She drew headlines last month when, to counter the ultrasound legislation, she offered an amendment to require men to have a rectal exam and a stress test before being prescribed erectile dysfunction medication. Senate Republicans rejected it.
Republicans, who have long controlled the House, took effective control of the Senate in the November elections and have passed an unprecedented number of bills on abortion and other social issues.
The ultrasound requirement, SB484, has drawn particular attention. Because ultrasounds cannot be done externally early in pregnancy, the bill would require some women to have probes inserted into their vaginas, which critics say is invasive.
Protesters also criticized the GOP for bills that would declare a fertilized egg a person from the moment of conception, which has been labeled the "personhood" measure, and would eliminate state funding for abortions for poor women with severely medically troubled pregnancies.
Del. Kaye Kory, another Fairfax Democrat, denounced such measures as a "legislative chastity belt."
Event organizers estimated the crowd at the morning protest at more than 1,000; an afternoon event drew a few hundred. A rally last week to support the personhood bill drew about 100.
Del. Bob Marshall, a Prince William County Republican who sponsored the personhood bill, said Monday's demonstrations do not represent the will of the majority in Virginia. "A majority of Virginians were working today," he said.
He said the protest was able to attract more people largely because Monday was a federal holiday and most schools in the Richmond area were closed because of Sunday's snowfall.
Marshall's bill, HB1, has been routed to the Senate Education and Health Committee, but some lawmakers have suggested that it could be sent to another panel, such as the Courts of Justice Committee, where it could receive less favorable treatment.
A vote on the ultrasound requirement, sponsored by Fauquier County Republican Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, was delayed until today. It has already passed the Senate.
In addition to attracting lawmakers' attention, the activists also drew the gaze of Virginia Capitol Police personnel and a corps of Virginia State Police brought in as backup.
That increased presence, Capitol Police Chief Col. Steve Pike said, was intended to ensure public safety while allowing demonstrators a chance to make their point.
Harry Minium, 804-697-1563, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
Julian Walker, 804-697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Women's Rights
It is a shame that such promising political careers are about to be slaughtered because of such radical and invasive legislation relating to women. Virginia and Bob McDonnell have already made it to Saturday Night Live and the late night talk shows as the butts of so many jokes that this state's legislature and the Governor are viewed nationally as the next form of an era of "Inquisition" to flood into the lives of women. With so many real problems facing the state and the nation, why has the General Assembly and the leadership of Virginia decided to make the Republican Party look like a bunch of crazed and controlling men without a conscience or any true ="Christian" values. Shame!
Personhood Bill
Besides the moral points.. All I see are more laws, bigger government, and more costs for healthcare!
Making sinners saints
What, pray tell is so facinating about getting all up in people's VERY PERSONAL affairs such as vaginal exams? Shouldn't legislators be creating jobs, finding revenue to pay for programs we can't afford now? Instead of trying to legislate morality? Even Jesus knew if salvation could have come by any other means HE wouldn't have died on the cross. These so called Christains show their ignorance of the fundamentals of Christianity at every opportunity.
Making sinners saints
What, pray tell is so facinating about getting all up in people's VERY PERSONAL affairs such as vaginal exams? Shouldn't legislators be creating jobs, finding revenue to pay for programs we can't afford now? Instead of trying to legislate morality? Even Jesus knew if salvation could have come by any other means HE wouldn't have died on the cross. These so called Christains show their ignorance of the fundamentals of Christianity at every opportunity.
why do tpublicans
Why do tpublicans insist on sticking their nose in a woman's womb?
I think
you are safe Gertz.
Bob Marshall is an idiot, example #6,748
"Del. Bob Marshall, a Prince William County Republican who sponsored the personhood bill, said Monday's demonstrations do not represent the will of the majority in Virginia. 'A majority of Virginians were working today,' he said.
He said the protest was able to attract more people largely because Monday was a federal holiday and most schools in the Richmond area were closed because of Sunday's snowfall."
Yeah-huh. Apparently Bobby hasn't been paying attention to the polls that show WELL OVER HALF of Virginians oppose these appallingly intrusive bills - that looks a lot like the "will of Virginia" from here. Bet he wouldn't be making excuses if over 1000 people had shown up for an anti-choice rally. But they DIDN'T.
Personhood Bill
A personhood bill sounds weird. Haven't these Republicans thought it through. If an embryo has all the rights of citizens, they should be able to vote. Of course, since that would be difficult, their mothers should be allowed to vote for them as their regents. All women up to age 50 should be able to vote twice in every election because they might be pregnant. Certainly in the early weeks of pregnancy, the forming fetus doesn't show. Of course, some women have had hysterectomies. They would need to bring a note from their doctors. Other women may have multiple births forming within. They would need a note from their doctor or their ultra-sound tech.
And of course, when the child is born, they should keep their rights. Let them all vote!
Fool...
You have to be 18 to vote. Your entire scenario is void of any reason.
When a person is found guilty of murdering a pregnant woman, he/she is found guilty of DOUBLE homicide. Hard to explain your way out of that one, isn't it.
Do me a favor, go to youtube and click "Ultrasound 8-10 weeks" and tell me what you see. It is a LIVE HUMAN BEING who has been growing for 8-10 weeks and will continue to grow for another 16 to 18 YEARS!!!
Comment deleted
Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Personal attack, name calling