On Saturday 31 protesters were arrested at the state Capital in Virginia. The protest was in response to the proposed bill that women would have to undergo a mandatory ultra-sound if they wanted an abortion. Some of the protesters held signs such as "Gov. McDonnell get out of my vagina,". 17 women and 14 men were arrested and though the charges are unknown it was said that they were probably charged with "trespassing or unlawful assembly". The protesters were arrested and taken to a bus where some waited for 5 hours before they were taken to a correctional facility.
The protesters explained their views stating "The legislators should not be legislating medical procedures, especially for women, We have a freedom of choice and they're trying to take that away." Many women believed that the force used by the police was not needed and unnecessary, for they were only practicing their freedom of speech. The police of the Capital stated that the police force was called because they believed that the demonstration was "getting really large and we didn't want things to get out of hand," Leigh Weedon a participator in the protester stated "I was incredibly proud of the people that were arrested on the stairs. I thought that was a great sacrifice, and I was very proud of them doing that," Weedon said. "I was also really surprised today with the presence of the SWAT team, obviously, and the German shepherds."
I used this article because it reminded me so much of "Jawed Iron Angels" because of how the women were protesting against the government, yet they were arrested under the same "crimes" as they were. My question to the class is "Has the US really progressed as a country as far as women rights?" though the Obama administration doe snot support the the bill, his views and support was still neglected and people were still arrested. In the coming up election if the republicans were to become the majority in politics would that potentially become a problem for basic human rights?
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