Abortion rallies
Public actions were held around the country on April 3 and 4 to demand the repeal of all abortion laws. The actions were in solidarity with the pro-choice movement in WA, where parliament is debating legislation to change the legal status of abortion in that state.
Sarah Stephen reports from Perth that the size of the march on April 4 was affected by the outcome of the WA parliamentary debate (see article page 6). About 200 people gathered to hear speakers explain the importance of keeping the pressure on state MPs.
Labor MP Cheryl Davenport, whose bill seeks to have abortion repealed from the WA criminal code, stated that repeal is the only way of resolve the abortion issue.
Kim Linden from Melbourne told Green Left that 700 people rallied on the steps of the museum on April 4. Speakers at the rally, organised by Melbourne's Pro-Choice Coalition, included academic Lynette Dumble; Melinda Walker from the Pro-Choice Coalition; and Reihana Mohideen, an activist just returned from the Philippines.
Marching behind a banner demanding "Our bodies, our lives, our right to decide", the protesters stopped at the site of the former Queen Victoria Hospital and hung coathangers with the words "Repeal all abortion laws" and other pro-choice messages on the fence.
With everybody chanting "Back to the backyard, no way!", the march held a "die-in" at Bourke and Swanston Streets to symbolise those who have died in backyard abortions.
From Hobart, Kamala Emanuel and Mathew Munro report that 20 activists made an impact among a crowd of observers in the Tas Uni refectory on April 3 with pro-choice placards and speeches about women's right to choose. The action was organised by the University of Tasmania Women's Collective and Resistance Club and received significant coverage in local newspapers.
Natalie Zirngast and Sibylle Kaczorek, from Darwin, relate that 80 people attended a speak-out on April 4 at the popular Parap markets. Speakers included Sylvia Hurse from the Pro-Choice Collective; the NT University women's officer, Nikki Zurk; Kate Halliday from Top End Women's Legal Service; Natalie Zirngast from Resistance; ALP territory MP Claire Martin; Sibylle Kaczorek from the Democratic Socialist Party; and Robyn Cahill, executive director of the Australian Medical Association.
In Sydney on April 4, around 150 women participated in a march and rally in Martin Place organised by the Women's Abortion Action Campaign, and in Canberra, Pat brewer reports, 40 people joined a speak-out in Garema Place.
Speakers in Canberra included Sue Robinson from Options and members of the newly formed group ACT Pro Choice who called for decriminalisation of abortion in the ACT. A public meeting with activists from the WA abortion campaign will be held in Canberra on April 29 (for details phone 6247 2424).
The Abortion Rights Network of Australia is organising a national weekend of action in solidarity with the WA women and for the repeal of all abortion laws on April 24-26. For details, contact: in Adelaide 8347 4955; in Brisbane 3357 5377; in Hobart 6231 3212; in Melbourne 9347 7744; in Perth 9385 1798; and in all other cities ring Sydney 9569 3819.