The pro-life / pro-choice debate rages from Windsor to Ottawa


Ian Clough
LANCE WRITER


On the same day that MPs in Ottawa vote on reopening the abortion issue, Windsor feminists are holding an event to protect legal and safe abortions.

Jessie Fuerth and Sarah Morris, hosts of CJAM radio’s Milk and Vodka radio show, have organized “Riot Grrrl Tuesdays,” a series of events aimed at connecting and building the Windsor feminist community.

“We started doing a lot of stuff about DIY [do it yourself] and that sort of became a really strong theme of the program: how you can take accountability of your own life and change things instead of just being angry,” said Morris.

The first event features Michigan folk-punk act The Gator and Windsor’s Tara Watts at Phog Lounge at 8 p.m this Wednesday. Money raised will go to Planned Parenthood in Detroit, which, according to Fuerth and Morris, is at risk of being defunded because of the “pro-life or anti-abortion” climate in the United States and Canada. Other Riot Grrrl Tuesday events will be held on the last Tuesday of each month.

Motion 312, introduced by Conservative Member of Parliament Stephen Woodworth (Kitchener Centre), is aimed at striking a committee to investigate the definition of a human being. Opposition MPs argue that the motion will reopen the abortion debate. Woodworth appealed fellow members in the House of Commons Friday, with a vote on Motion 312 expected this Wednesday.

“I’ve talked to women who say ‘feminism is done,’” said Morris. “Apathy, I’d say, is even more dangerous than radical thoughts.”

“If you’re apathetic and one of these votes comes up and you don’t care, that’s when scary legislation can get passed,” she continued.

On the other side of the local abortion debate is Soulpresence.ca, a pro-life organization that has recently opened up an office on University Avenue West, close to the university campus. According to their website, they are a Catholic organization that opposes abortion, euthanasia and organ transplantation. Soulpresence.ca did not respond to The Lance’s requests for an interview.

Soulpresence.ca is participating in the 40 Days For Life campaign, a national pro-life movement that includes prayers, vigils and fasting throughout a 40-day period. There will be a silent procession marching from Metropolitan Hospital on Sept. 25 to kick off the campaign, which runs from Sept. 26 to Nov. 4.

“The only difference between the born child and the pre-born child is age. This is a scientific fact,” writes registered nurse Constance Thomson in the group’s August newsletter. She also advocates for “a battery of offensive actions” as “our weak defensive actions are getting us nowhere.”

Fuerth said that the group perpetuates myths about abortion, such as abortion causing cancer.

For related stories on other women’s rights events this month, see:
Miss Canadas Take Back the Night
Second year for SlutWalk