A pro-choice rally in my little red town

[mcar]

I attended a pro-choice rally in my little, ruby red part of Florida this evening. It was organized by a young woman, whom I was proud to meet.

As the president of our local Democratic Women's Club, I felt obligated to attend - and wanted to attend. 2 things: 1. it was near 100 degrees at 5 p.m. (in May in Central Florida, for sweet Jesus' sake!) and I do not handle heat well, to say the least (think near heatstroke); 2. I truly was afraid we'd get shot.

We gathered in the center of town and walked a short bit to the main street, to hold signs and chant as "rush hour" traffic came by. The organizer had made loads of great signs on bright poster paper - and beautiful handwriting! Her SO brought a cooler of cold water and had a speaker, from which he played great 60s era protest songs. Their 2 young children were there as well.

Really good turnout for a last-minute event - I got the word last night and spread it to my membership. About 50 people, including 6-8 men, some young people and several children. This is a retirement community so that was heartening to me. We had a small counter-protest of forced birthers, who set up on the street on either side of us.

The vast majority of the response from drivers was positive - to my surprise. We got a few middle fingers, and a few shouts of "baby killers," but way more thumbs up.

Hope.

[elleng]

1. Great to hear!

THANKS!

[kairos12]

2. Way to go! Not easy to be pro-choice in a Red State.

[mcar]

7. Sure isn't

I was surprised at the positive response.

[TimeToGo]

15. FL is only kind of a red state

[backtoblue]

3. K&R!

[smirkymonkey]

4. Great news!

Happy to hear about it and especially the support of the men. Resistance everywhere is meaningful!

[mcar]

11. Yes, I appreciated that

[TommyCelt]

28. Thanks for being brave! nt

[mcar]

29. It was worth it

[UniteFightBack]

5. I am really proud of your town! I think protesting takes courage!! I always blow big wet kisses

at the middle fingers. I will engage with the opposition. And I always like to bring a Honk sign..I like to own the honk.

[mcar]

12. A honk sign is a great idea

Filing away...

[calimary]

35. That's a GREAT idea!

[gratuitous]

6. Excellent report

Even a few dozen people gathered lets other folks in the community know they're not alone. Good job!

[mcar]

9. That's what I was thinking with all the thumbs up

For so many years, I feared getting involved. That ended in 2016. And I found so many like-minded people who felt the same way.

[sheshe2]

8. You are my shero!

[mcar]

10. Aww, thank you she!

[sheshe2]

14. I love you back.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

13. K & R!!!

[Maru Kitteh]

16. Thanks for the good news and shot of hope there!

[mcar]

17. It lifted my spirits

I've been feeling down about everything lately. I needed the sisterhood!

[FakeNoose]

18. Ideas for protest signs - these were posted on DU in the last week

[calimary]

36. Keepers!

Last edited Fri May 24, 2019, 10:22 AM - Edit history (1)

I’m a nut for graphics. These are terrific!

[ismnotwasm]

19. K&R

[Turin_C3PO]

20. Nice!

It doesn’t surprise me that you got mostly positive responses. I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) that polls show that the majority of people even in the reddest of red states are pro-choice. Republicans are really overreaching with these forced birth laws.

[mcar]

26. That is true

[radical noodle]

21. That's great news!

And yes... it was very hot today!

[proud patriot]

22. Thank You

[Gumboot]

23. Thank you for being brave enough...

... to go out and take a stand for this. Especially in Central Florida's red hellscape.

Raising a glass to you, and everyone who joined you tonight.

[Rhiannon12866]

24. K&R and kudos to you and your equally courageous and determined group!

[herding cats]

25. Hope. That's exactly what this gives me.

Thank you for sharing, mcar. It's good to know we're represented out there everywhere.

[badhair77]

27. A reminder that we're in this together.

Thanks for your leadership and thanks also to the young woman who organized the march. Hope indeed.

[Mosby]

30. K and R.

[skydive forever]

31. Where in central Florida

I live near Cocoa Beach

[mcar]

39. Citrus County

West Central Florida.

[BigmanPigman]

32. What did the signs say?

My protest is on Sat and I still have to make my sign. I need a strong visual statement besides a wire hanger or a uterus.

[mcar]

40. Forced pregnancy is a crime against humanity

Stop the war on women

Don't tread on me (pic of a uterus)

Leave our women alone (held by man)

If you're against abortion, don't have one

(Coat hanger) Never again

My body, my choice

Every mother a willing mother

Pro-women Pro-choice (man)

Mother by choice thanks to Roe v Wade

Lots of others but those are what I can see looking at the photos.

[BigmanPigman]

43. Thanks!

I wondered if any tRump "baby ballons" were somehow used.

[llmart]

33. Thank you for protesting.

Women everywhere, of all ages thank you. Yes, the majority of women support legal abortion.

[Lifelong Protester]

34. Thank you

For being willing to put yourself "out there" in Florida.

[Hortensis]

37. How nice to hear, Mcar. Congrats.

And I so know what you mean about the heat and am impressed. We're back up in Georgia now, but by 9:30-10 I'm done with any work or walking outside, even in the shade for long.

[mcar]

41. It's only May

We usually still have cool mornings and evenings. I shudder to think of July.

[CDerekGo]

38. Wish I knew

what part of Central Florida you were located, I would've come and sweated along with you both!

[mcar]

42. Thanks

We're in West Central FL, Citrus Cty. It got planned at the last minute so I was pleased with the response.

[Kurt V.]

44. K&R

[KY_EnviroGuy]

45. K&R with highest respect and regards!

Thanks for your hard work and love of democracy.......

[mcar]

46. Aww, thank you!