Local pro-choicers will rally this Sunday for sexual protection from a political movement spreading in Washington.
Students for Choice and UCSB VOX will present, “Sex, Power and Policy: Challenging the Assault on our Reproductive Freedom” in Ansiq’ Oyo’ Park from noon to 5:30 p.m.
Alena Donovan, a junior women’s studies major and a rally coordinator, said the day will focus on three issues that affect women’s reproductive freedom: the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, establishing fetal personhood; the Helms amendment, which would restrict emergency contraception to minors; and the Global Gag Rule, a presidential order that restricts foreign aid to programs affiliated with abortion.
“Being active isn’t cool anymore – it’s like ‘second wave feminism’ – but Congress has voted hundreds of times on things that relate to reproductive freedom,” Donovan said. “I don’t think college students see the issue as being that personal, because we can go to the Health Center and get contraceptives and know abortions are available.”
The rally will feature eight local performers and bands, a speech at 2 p.m. from State Assembly member Hannah-Beth Jackson, and tables from various groups and sponsors. Donovan said she hopes it will be a positive way to bring together both male and female pro-choicers.
“It’s going to be a fun day. We wanted bands that were down for a cause, and we wanted a wide variety so people can enjoy themselves,” she said. “It’s not so much about education, but we will have literature available and hopefully people will sign up to form an action network, so it’s not just a few of us working on things like this. I know people care, but we all have to get involved to get our rights protected.”
Donovan said there are many seemingly harmless decisions currently being made by the federal government that could potentially harm women’s reproductive freedom.
“We’re concerned about the high number of court nominations of anti-choice justices to federal circuit courts, not just the Supreme Court,” she said. “Also, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which just passed in Congress, establishes fetal personhood through the guise of it being an anti-violence against women act, and it could undermine the decision of Roe v. Wade.”
In addition to tables from the Sexual Health Peers, the Green Party and Men Against Rape, organizers will pass out free condoms, dental dams and form letters opposing the Helms amendment.
“The Helms amendment places limits on emergency contraceptives for minors,” Donovan said. “It would make [minors] get consent from parents, which is dangerous because teenagers are trying to make a responsible choice. It’s been proven that when teenagers aren’t guaranteed confidentiality, they won’t take measures to protect their reproductive health.”
Men Against Rape representative Jeffery Bucholtz said the group will have a table with shirts and sweatshirts on sale as well as free literature.
“It’s certainly important for men to be out there because they bear a lot of responsibility. Reproductive choices and responsibility are usually placed on women,” he said. “There is one birth control method for men, and how many for women? It’s certainly about supporting women, to give them the opportunity to make a choice.”
While UCSB students may have easy access to contraceptives and abortion, it is important to remember that these rights are not guaranteed, English Professor Julie Carlson said.
“None of these things should be taken for granted because they can be taken away at any point,” she said. “They may be readily available for you on college campuses, but they’re not for all women. We need to fight for access and reproductive freedom for all women.”