March and Fundraiser for Democracy and Reproductive Health Care Set for January 22
Reading of Muriel Vieux poem
BAR HARBOR AND NORTHEAST HARBOR—Community members from around the region will gather Sunday, January 22, for two short, peaceful marches and a reading of Muriel Vieux’s poem, “It’s not about birth control, it’s about control.” Vieux is an Haitian-American poet and translator.
The first march is from 11 a.m. to noon in Bar Harbor and begins at the corner of Mount Desert Street and Ledgelawn Avenue. A second march begins on the South Shore Road in Northeast Harbor (near Maple Lane) and begins at 1 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 2.
The marches will be held on the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision.
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court held that the due process clause of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment provides a fundamental right to privacy, and therefore protects a woman's right to an abortion. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court voted to overturn the decision
According to a press release issued by organizers, the marches will both focus on political fundraiser Leonard Leo who owns a residence in Northeast Harbor.
The release reads, “All are welcome to join in solidarity in these cold, dark times. Dress for the weather. Spread the word, bring a friend. Signs, pink hats, noisemakers encouraged.
“If you are unable to attend but would like to support reproductive health care, please consider a generous donation to Planned Parenthood of New England and/or the Mabel Wadsworth Health Center in Bangor.”
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
Federalist Society’s Leonard Leo bio.
Harvard Kennedy School’s piece on overturning Roe v Wade.
Full disclosure: My daughter is currently enrolled at the Kennedy School for a master’s in public administration.