Abortion March Successful

The abortion march on April 13 was a success, despite miserable weather contitions. A hundred and eighty people turned out in driving rain and cold temperatures to demand repeal of the abortion laws. The march was militant and lively, chanting as it moved through the streets: "Repeal the abortion laws!", "A woman's right to choose!", "1, 2, 3, 4, no more abortion laws!"—the message was loud and clear to those standing on the footpaths.

This year there was no opposing march as there had been on both occasions last year (May 5 and July 18). Instead, anti-abortionists leafleted the bystanders along the sides of the march, while a number of them waited at the Town Hall to meet us as we arrived for the rally. However, apart from waving pictures of foetuses in front of one of the speakers, they caused little disturbance. Two of their number had come along dressed as executioners, complete with axe, and tacked themselves onto the rear of the march, The significance of this masquerade was rather obscured after the police confiscated their axe before the march began.

Four people gave short speeches at the rally: Jacqueline McCluggage, speaking for the Women's Abortion Action Committee; Helen Smith, a member of the Values Party and Porirua City Councillor; Shirley Smith, a Wellington lawyer, and Alison Laurie, a feminist who has recently returned to New Zealand after being involved in the abortion movements in Denmark and the U.S.

The success of this march, and the support marches all over the country have received from many organisations and prominent individuals, indicates the widening acceptance of the demands raised by the abortion rights movement. Only a few years ago abortion was not even talked about in public, let alone proclaimed a woman's right and openly campaigned for. The abortion rights movement, which was stimulated by the growth of feminism, has lifted this taboo on abortion and brought the issue out into the streets.

Why we Organise Marches

The Women's Abortion Action Committee wants to reach out to large numbers of people, not only to make them aware of our aims, but to involve them in building a strong, powerful movement to repeal the laws. By organising marches, we can provide a focus for continuing educational activities and a way of involving the maximum number of people in fighting for repeal. We encourage the participation of women, because these are the people who suffer most directly from the unjust laws, who know the fear of having an unwanted pregnancy. The accent is on participation because this is an issue which will derive most of its support from women, yet women have been brought up to expect men to make their decisions and fight their battles for them, few are confident enough to stand up and demand their rights in such a controversial matter as abortion. Through leafleting, posters and all the other publicity which is part of the build-up to a march we can let women know that we want them to join us, that they don't need to stand on the sidelines, they can act, and their involvement will mean that we can challenge the laws even more effectively.

A demonstration has an impact on other people besides those involved in it. It shows the anti-abortionists that we won't be intimidated by their opposition, that we will not tone down our campaign for fear of raising the ire of the churches and other influential opponents of abortion. We will bring our demands into the streets despite their efforts to stop us. A march attracts publicity, especially if it is lively and spirited, spreading our demands to many more people, especially the many women who are confined to their houses. It also lets the government know that we are active and growing, that we mean business and we don't intend to let the pressure off them. Not, at least, until we get what we want: Complete, total repeal of all the laws—the right to have an abortion when and if we choose.

Gillian Goodger