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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022
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Protest of abortion rights being overturned
ore than 100 people in downtown LaPorte turned out for a demonstration against the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. The high court on June 24 voted 6 to 3 against the landmark Roe v Wade case declaring abortion a right under the U.S. Constitution in 1973. The protest two days later outside the courthouse was called by Brianna Holzer, a 21-year-old LaPorte woman clinging to hope a majority of the justices would not follow through on their written judgement leaked to members of the media several weeks ago. “I am quite emotional. I have cried quite a few times today because there was a little bit of hope in my mind that maybe, just maybe, the U.S. would realize that people who have uteruses are actually human beings. We deserve rights. It’s a little disheartening and quite angering,” she said. The high court decision allows states to decide whether to ban or restrict abortion
BY STAN MADDUX
in their own jurisdictions. Holzer said her fear is abortion will be banned in Indiana, forcing women to travel across state lines to terminate their pregnancies. The Indiana State Legislature is scheduled to meet in special session July 6 to begin crafting the state’s abortion law. Gov. Eric Holcomb didn’t specify what should be contained in the state’s abortion law but said he is pro-life. He said the right to an abortion nationwide being overturned presents an opportunity to further protect the sanctity of life and “that’s what we’re going to do.” State Rep. Jim Pressel (R) Rolling Prairie did not offer an opinion on any ban or restrictions the state should impose on abortion. “It’s too early to speculate on what form any legislation may take, but I’m ready to go to work and look forward to having discussions with constituents and my fellow legislators about what this Supreme Court decision means for Indiana,” Pressel said. Holzer said she fears Indiana being
a mostly conservative state will ban the practice, forcing women to travel across state lines to have the procedure. She disagrees with people who call abortion murder. Holzer said late term abortion rarely occurs and she doesn’t consider a fetus a human being in the very early stages of pregnancies. “It’s just a few cells clumped together in a woman’s uterus and I just don’t see how that can be murder,” she said.
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ethany Lutheran Church Pastor Dennis Meyer said he agree with the U.S. Supreme Court opinion that abortion is not a right under the U.S. Constitution. “We live in a Federalist system, and that means the national government decides some things and states decide other things,” Meyer said. Meyer also said women will still have a right to exercise their choice in states that allow for abortion. Meyer also said he believes in the
sanctity of life and there are better options than abortion. “I know there are a lot of families that I have worked with over the years that have had infertility issues that would love to be able to adopt a child,” Meyer said. LaPorte County Democrat Party Chairman Dr. Vidya Kora said he’s concerned the decision will further divide the country and lead to more political related violence. Kora, a physician with a medical practice in Michigan City, said he doesn’t support abortion and early termination of pregnancy should be kept to a minimum but a woman should have a choice. “It’s a decision that should be left to the individual, their families in consultation with their physicians and their faith. It’s a very difficult decision some families have to make,” he said. Kora also said the Supreme Court is an example of government overreach into the lives of people on matters that should be decided privately. “I’m frankly disappointed,” he said.
