Reproductive Rights Rally In Towson A Response To Abortion Bans

TOWSON, MD — Towson hosted a "Stop the Bans" rally, where reproductive rights advocates spoke out Tuesday against measures to ban abortions. It was one of multiple rallies across Maryland and more than 400 planned around the country on Tuesday, May 21.

The events stem from legislation including a bill that passed last week in Alabama which makes abortion a felony, even in the case of rape or incest.

"I support a woman’s right to choose. It is with that same spirit that I joined many women and men at a rally in Towson this afternoon to promote the #StopTheBan on abortions," Councilman Izzy Patoka, a Democrat who represents the Owings Mills-Pikesville-Randallstown area, said in a statement.

Maryland pro-choice advocates said that the state voted in 1992 by referendum to codify the Roe v. Wade ruling into law, meaning the Free State would continue to protect women's right to abortion regardless of what happens elsewhere.

"I’ll never stop fighting to protect and expand this fundamental right," the Baltimore County lawmaker said.

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"Tell your elected officials how important it is that you have autonomy over your body and decisions that involve your health care," Delegate Shelly Hettleman, a Democrat who represents Baltimore County, said at the Towson rally, where Fox 45 was in attendance and shared the clip below.

Baltimore Co. Delegate Shelly Hettleman speaks at abortion rights rally in #Towson #stopthebans pic.twitter.com/xGRZTLUpSf
— John Rydell (@JohnRydell1) May" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/JohnRydell... 21, 2019

Abortion rights supporters rally in #Towson by condemning anti-abortion laws in Alabama & elsewhere. #stopthebans pic.twitter.com/ixvR3S18FP
— John Rydell (@JohnRydell1) May 21, 2019

Visit www.StopAbortionBans.org for more information on the #StopTheBans National Day of Action.