Over 1,000 people crowded Capitol Square in Richmond on Monday to protest a number of bills targeted at limiting the rights of women in the Commonwealth. Protesters categorized the bills as "scary" antiabortion legislation.
The crowd — made up mostly of women — formed a human chain and stared down senators and delegates as they walked from the General Assembly building across the street to the Capitol where they would go to session and discuss the opposed legislation.
Through Facebook, organizers called for 500 women to be on the walkway where legislators would pass and stand in silence from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Doubling that call with 1,200 people, they assembled; none of them carrying posters or chanting, two activities barred from the Capitol grounds. Most didn't even speak unless legislators spoke of their own support for the protesters.
The organizers, who were with the group Speak Loudly with Silence for Virginia Women, told protesters they had a slight chance of being arrested before making their way onto the Capitol grounds. Protesters then lined up along 9th Street. However, no problems were reported as the group remained peaceful. But there was increased police presence with at least a dozen Capitol police and Virginia State Police (VSP) officers.
In addition, a VSP helicopter flew over Richmond to ensure the protest did not get out of hand.
Many of those protesting wore shirts with the phrase "Keep your laws off my body" and "Leave my body alone." Another taped a clothes hanger to her shirt with a piece of paper reading, "Don't make this my only option." The organizers and some protesters sported armbands to show their unity and dissonance toward the bills.
Of the legislation actively being discussed in the House of Delegates and Senate, five bills in particular were being protested Monday.
The first, House Bill 1, introduced by Republican Del. Bob Marshall, states that unborn children would "enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities available to other persons, citizens and residents of the Commonwealth" at the time of conception.
The so-called "personhood bill" would "represent an incredible level of government invasion in an incredibly personal matter" as well as limit access to hormonal birth control pills, according to the organizers. HB 1 has already passed the House and was expected to be heard on the Senate floor Monday. However, the vote was put off.
Also protested were four bills related to requiring an ultrasound before an abortion: HB 261, HB 462, SB 279 and SB 484. These bills would amend the informed consent law so women would be required to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion. Specifically, HB 261 would require the waiting period before obtaining an abortion to be extended from 24 to 48 hours.
Both HB 462 and SB 484 would require the opportunity for women to view a fetal image and hear a heartbeat to be offered, while SB 279 would only require the viewing of the image to be offered.
After the protest, many of the protesters filed toward the General Assembly building to talk with legislative aides in an effort to get senators and delegates to vote against the bill. They targeted certain legislators who were deemed "swing votes."
Legislation such as prohibiting abortion after 20 weeks gestation and removing abortion coverage from insurance plans in the Commonwealth have already failed this session.
Catching the attention of some lawmakers, the protesters managed to grab support from Democrats who gave a thumbs up or said, "Thank you all for coming out." Many Republicans walked by as the protesters stood their ground.
The protests may have caught the attention of many lawmakers, though. Delegates in the House postponed a final vote on SB 279 and SB 484 as well a bill that would allow adoption centers to turn away parents because of sexual orientation.
By 2 p.m., protesters gathered around the Bell Tower at the foot of Capitol Square, where speakers took to a microphone to relay their message. Supportive legislators and women's rights leaders were on hand.
"The product of these bills will affect a large portion of Virginia's population," said Longwood University junior Emily McGrath. "If you don't try to have a say, this legislation could still control your actions later on."
Liz Chassey, a Longwood senior, said the legislation affects all women. "They are trying to invade in people's choices, which is an inalienable right." Chassey described the experience of talking to legislative aides and protesting "eye opening" because the legislative process often seems "foreign." Chassey said, "This shows you really can and should take part in what's going on in your state."
Jessica Trafton, a senior, said, "It's important to go out and be aware of all women's issues. Because of the invasive nature of trans-vaginal ultrasounds, it is physically traumatic for a woman to have 'informed consent' to be available."
Trafton said women should not have to go through another procedure in addition to the abortion and questioned what a woman is supposed to think if an invasive ultrasound reminds her of a past rape. "I think it's ridiculous even to be considering this legislation in the U.S."
HB 1 faces a battle in the split Senate. Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling could be the deciding vote. If passed in both chambers, the bills will move to Governor Bob McDonnell's desk. McDonnell has already announced he supports the legislation.
An informative day of education and action is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 at various sites. The event is organized by Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Rights Action League.
Two protestors demonstrate their strict opposition to the pending legislation.
