Advocates for abortion rights protest Saturday outside Tarrant County Courthouse
For Lisa Keegan-Bishop, it was about standing up for her daughters, one of whom had an abortion because of a genetic disorder.
For Denita Jones, it was about standing up for her daughter’s friend, who she said traveled to Oklahoma and was turned away from receiving an abortion.
For Holly Fulleright, it was about staying in her hometown when she could move, but wanting to fight for her rights and for those who are afraid.
They were three of dozens of individuals who stood outside the Tarrant County Courthouse Saturday morning protesting for access to legal abortions, a right which may be overturned after a draft decision from the Supreme Court regarding Roe v. Wade was leaked earlier this week.
The event, organized by Tarrant 4 Change, wanted to use the Supreme Court draft decision to drive momentum to the voting booth.
“Today’s election day … and that’s why we’re out here, because we have to get our people out to vote. … We have individuals that are being appointed to these lifelong seats that are making decisions that a lot of people are afraid of right now. It’s affecting the most marginalized people,” said Tristeza Ordex, a Marine veteran and one of the event organizers. “We want people to see the signs, whether they believe in what we are fighting for or not, they should go vote for whatever it is if they believe in.”
‘The lack of voting is what got us here’
Lydia Faith, Tarrant 4 Change’s lead organizer, said that of Tarrant County’s population of over 2 million people, just 1.2 million are registered to vote and that less actually participate in local elections. She hopes that beyond Saturday’s gathering, residents will be inspired to organize.
“This is more than just our right to health care. This is also about our right to privacy,” Faith said. “Overturning Roe v. Wade is a precedent to access to contraception, interracial marriage and gay marriage. It’s attacking us at every level from school boards to the federal government.”
Joining Faith, Denita Jones, another community organizer spoke to the crowd outside the courthouse. She argued that too many North Texas residents don’t see the value in their vote, and said that a “lack of voting is what got us here.”
“We see now how important your vote is. There is not one of us that is not directly related, or doesn’t come from a woman. Understand it, that everyone out here came from a woman, her uterus birthed you, and will continue to birth this movement, and what we have to encourage people to do is vote,” Jones said. “We have to encourage people to really research your elected officials. You have to know who you’re putting into office because these people are representing you. These people are changing your life.”
Jones added that although federal elections are important, residents need to pay attention to local decisions because it affects communities directly.
“We have to continue to get out here. No matter what organization you’re a part of, or if you’re not even part of an organization, get together with your neighbors, have a house party, make discussion, talk about who’s running, why they’re running and more importantly, who’s backing them,” Jones said.
‘It’s not just about abortion rights’
After the court’s draft decision was published by Politico Monday night, hundreds of protests across the country have taken place with many arguing what Faith said – that the overturn of Roe v. Wade is the first step of other rights being taken.
“This is not just about abortion rights. This is about much, much, more that people are not thinking about. This is about voting rights. If they take this, then what’s next? What is going to happen? What is that going to look like for our future?” Keegan-Bishop, who’s lived in Tarrant County for 24 years, said. “We are losing our rights. If a woman is brought to a potential, God forbid, murder charge [for abortion], that’s a felony, do people with felonies get to vote? We’re not looking at those other things that potentially could happen.”
Keegan-Bishop began to cry when she said that an overturn in the Roe v. Wade decision means less rights for her children.
“It’s sickening. It’s beyond disgusting that I have to fight [for rights I’ve had],” Keegan-Bishop said. “[One of my daughters] had an abortion. It was her choice, her decision and I supported whatever that decision was, we don’t need to be letting anyone else make that decision for her.”
A few feet away, Fulleright sat with her partner and daughter.
“[I was stuck between] do I want to stay and change things, or do I want to leave for the safety of my family?” Fulleright said. “I want to leave, but it’s also, if I leave, then I’m not saying anything. I’m not fighting for anything. I just think it’s important to be a mentor for my daughter and show her what’s right in this world. … Being out here shows our little girls that we can stand up and be a voice, be independent and not have people stomp all over us and tell us what we can and can’t do. … I’m scared of what’s going to happen … but it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to have your voice shake, as long as you’re standing up for what you believe in.”
Echoing Fulleright’s comments about being afraid, Martin High School Senior Kirstyn Dickey said the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade is a movement led by fear.
“People fear what they don’t understand and what they don’t know,” Dickey said. “It’s surprising how many people are misinformed about what overturning this law will cause in our community. It’s eventually going to affect the gay community. ... It’s going to affect so many more people than we realize.”
This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 1:39 PM.
