Silent Protest Outside, Virginia House Puts Off Ultrasound Vote
2012 Feb. 20 • Silent Protest for Women's Rights • Virginia State Capitol • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.
Update: Lawmakers in Virginia put off a final vote Tuesday on a highly contested bill that would require women in the eastern US state to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound prior to an abortion.
Republican Governor Bob McDonnell, a Roman Catholic father of five, was poised to swiftly sign the so-called "informed consent" bill -- adopted by the state senate earlier this month-- into law.
But a day after 1,000 protesters descended on the state capitol in Richmond, the House of Delegates held off on third and final reading of the legislation, leaving open the possibility it might yet be amended or dropped altogether when it comes before the chamber again on Wednesday.
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Over 1,000 demonstrators assembled outside of Virginia’s Capitol on Monday. Standing silently in the cold, they lined the walkway used by the legislators who have been voting on -- and voting away -- women's rights in Virginia.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that a bill to require ultrasounds of women about to undergo an abortion was scheduled for passage on Monday, but was pushed back by the House:
With hundreds protesting outside the Capitol, the House of Delegates delayed multiple contentious bills that appeared poised for final passage today.
The chamber pushed back votes on a measure that would require an ultrasound of all women considering an abortion as well as adoption- and gun-related legislation.
`From their Facebook page:
The Capitol ground rules say that we cannot assemble, hold signs, chant, yell or protest. We think silence in the face of this struggle and their unconstitutional rules presents the strongest response to their assault on women. Please come out and stand up for our rights and for the rights of all women in VA to choose the best reproductive route for themselves. These people are used to signs, yelling, chanting etc. It is not new. They are not used to silently being stared at and having to look us in the eye. It gives us the power.
Tuesday, reports indicate that even as women continue to protest at the Capitol, the ultrasound bill is now headed to the Governor:
After garnering national attention and jokes at the state's expense, a bill to require ultrasounds of women about to undergo an abortion will likely head to Gov. Bob McDonnell after final passage in the House of Delegates today.
On Monday, about 1,000 people appeared at the Capitol to oppose the measure as part of a women's rights rally that came together quickly through social media and word of mouth.
Thanks in part to left-leaning political pundits such as MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and a satirical take on the issue from "Saturday Night Live," the legislation has made its way into the national spotlight, raising a furor from opponents who see the proposed requirement as wildly invasive.
That's due in part to the fact that trans-vaginal ultrasounds are the only method available to doctors that early in a woman's pregnancy.
A recent poll showed that the majority of Virginians reject the measure. Of those surveyed, 55 percent say they oppose the legislation while 36 percent support it.
Saturday Night Live's The “Really!?! With Seth & Amy” segment took aim at the “personhood” bill from Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, and an ultrasound abortion requirement proposed by Del. Kathy J. Byron, R-Campbell.
Very powerful. I think that this tactic may well become the new standard (at least for awhile) of how protests can be done for maximum effect.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
I agree. And that silent protest of the brutal pepper spray assault by police on campus was also very effective. If Occupy were to adopt this form of protest, it would also make a huge statement, and provocateurs could easily be identified, be they uniformed police, under cover police, extremists or basic troublemakers of any sort. I hope this spreads fast.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
I'm convinced the reason the rightwing has been filling the airwaves with nonsense about contraception, even after the government mandated availibility issue was a done deal, has been precisely to provide cover for the far more dangerous anti-abortion bills making their way through Republican controlled statehouses.
And both the MSM and the "liberal" blogs have been captivated by the Republican's noise and posturing, neglecting the real issues at hand. We've had post after post here at C&L giving the Republicans a platform for their disingenuous efforts to distract.
Of course the Republicans realize they're on the wrong side of the contraception issue. They are no dummies. So why would they be beating the drums and saying the crazy things they're saying? It can only be a cover for these much nastier pieces of legislation that have not been decided yet.
And in the meantime "liberal" voices get warn out laughing at the "stupid" Republicans complaining over a done deal while there are very real issues that still need to be confronted.
Thank goodness for the thousand who turned out in opposition.
And thanks to you Diane for covering it.
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
What about music? Like Europe-the final countdown on a loop. I just got a nightmare.
Bite my shiny metal ass.
http://www.startalkradio.net/
An unnecessary governmental invasion of a medical patient's body and rights sounds suspiciously like conservatives' version of Obamacare. Guess they actually love government-mandated healthcare! Who knew?
God, what a bunch of utter idiots conservatives are! It would be downright hilarious if it weren't so damned dangerous...
this issue has NOTHING to do with religion. It has NOTHING to do with abortion. I has NOTHING to do with choice. It has NOTHING to do with politics. It has NOTHING to do with contraception. It HAS to do with women's HEALTH, women's RIGHTS and their RIGHT TO PRIVACY! Understand?
Their homeworld was a place called Earth, located in an uninteresting part of the galaxy. They had an expression: pride goeth before a fall. Their pride was their undoing. I know. I was there....They did not listen, of course. Arrogant men never do.
Bad case of schwetty balls?
Vote GOP and move forward to the 18th Century.
"go too far." And the woman that introduced this bill said requiring kids to get the HPV vaccine was too much government intrusion.
The hypocrisy is staggering.
I've seen some stuff, man. And some thangs...
Ultrasound bill may be revised, sources say
The legislators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the procedure could be made optional.
http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/305200
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
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