'Stop The Bans' Rallies Planned For East End Tuesday

GREENPORT, NY — After recent controversial abortion bans in the United States, people across the country will join together Tuesday at rallies to stand strong for women's rights.

On the East End, two "Stop Abortion Bans Day of Action" pro-choice rallies are slated for Sag Harbor and Greenport.

In Greenport, organizers said a rally will take place at Mitchell Park at noon; those in attendance are urged to "bring a coat hanger" to help remember "that barbaric pre-Roe era."

"This Tuesday, May 21 at noon local time at statehouses, town squares, and courthouses across the nation, we will show up to speak out and fight back against this unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish women. Together we say: Stop the bans," the national effort said.

In Sag Harbor, a rally organized by Kate Mueth will take place at the wharf in front of the windmill at 6 p.m.

"If you’d care to pop by to show some solidarity with the women of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, and the rest of the states gang piling onto anti-choice laws, join us," she said. "We will be there expressing strength, not victimhood to show our sisters that we support them and are strongly advocating on their behalf in all ways possible."

Mueth said she was motivated to take action after she saw there was a gathering taking place in Nassau County for #StopTheBans Day of Awareness and Solidarity; when she reached out on social media with the idea, she said she got a strong response.

"I think people, particularly women, feel the dangerously shifting sands under our feet and while to some this kind of thing may prove 'No use,' I think in fact coming together is the strongest first step humanity can make under any situation," Mueth said. "When we stop showing up in groups it means we’ve given up all hope and see no purpose or strength in our fellow humans and that, to me, reads as the darkest of days."

She added: "So we continue showing up, coming together, and so maybe the women of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio and the other states riding full ugly on this horse of anti-autonomy laws, can know they are not alone and us showing up in groups like this is actually the least of what we are willing to do. So lawmakers need to pay close attention."

Mueth those planning to attend to bring signs that express "solidarity, hope and positive action. Bring ideas to share for more ways to help activate change. Bring your sons and daughters, husbands and wives. I expect a small but mighty turn out for the day of action for #StopTheBans."