About 100 people gathered on Manitoba’s legislative grounds Saturday afternoon to protest in support of abortion.
Organizers say their goals were to raise awareness about abortion in Canada and disrupt those protesting against it.
“I am here to counter-protest anti-abortion protesters to show them that we will not tolerate such rhetoric in Canada,” said Paige Mason of the Canadian Abortion Rights Coalition.
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The large group walked down Memorial Boulevard with marching bands and banners, surrounding a group of about 10 people who said they were anti-abortion.
Both rallies are reactions to the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Now it is up to each state to decide if abortion is legal or not. Abortion has been legal in Canada since a Supreme Court decision in 1988, although access varies across the country.
The US decision has sparked protests, rallies and talks in Canada and the US.
People attend an abortion rights protest at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, June 24, 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end constitutional protections for abortion has cleared the way for states to impose abortion bans and restrictions, and will trigger a series of of legal battles. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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After an hour, the smaller group left the grounds. Organizer Caleb Giesbrecht said that while he disagrees with abortion, he admires the other group’s passion.
“I don’t hate any of the people… I just have a deep admiration for them, despite having a deep disdain for their beliefs,” Giesbrecht said.
Winnipeg police were at the scene monitoring the groups, however did not intervene.
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Julie Guard says she has been protesting reproductive rights since the 1970s, and that overturning Roe v. Wade should worry everyone in Canada.
“People here feel empowered (to protest) taking back rights that women have fought so hard for,” Guard said.
Guard says he thinks most Canadians support abortion, but people should remain vigilant.
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