About 100 gather on St. George Boulevard to protest abortion ban, support women’s rights

ST. GEORGE — Kristina Reisner was among about 100 protesters who gathered Thursday evening in St. George in support of women’s rights.

Protestors gather to make signs at 200 East and St. George Boulevard Thursday evening, St. George, Utah, May 6, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

“It’s really simple,” Reisner said standing on the corner at 200 East and St. George Boulevard. “My daughters have a choice over what they do with their own bodies.”

The demonstration was one of many that have been staged across the country in the wake of the leaking of a draft Supreme Court ruling that would repeal the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion legal.

“I think if it goes the way it’s going to go, it can only be detrimental,” Reisner said. “I don’t see how it could ever be positive for anywhere in the United States.”

Several drivers moving through the busy intersection honked their horns in support of the protesters, who took over all four corners of the intersection between about 6:30 and 7:00 p.m.

During that time, one driver could be heard shouting opposition to the protesters. He screamed, “Burn in hell,” as he drove through the intersection. 

Most of those participating carried signs with phrases like, “My body my choice,” “Stop trying to control my uterus you crusty old men,” “No uterus, no opinion” and “Men shouldn’t be making laws about women’s bodies.”

Protestors gather at 200 East and St. George Boulevard Thursday evening, St. George, Utah, May 6, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

The sign-carriers brought a handful of dogs along in a gathering that was peaceful, if a little bit loud.

Reisner has lived in St. George for 24 years. She told St. George News that her two daughters live in Virginia and California. 

“I just saw the opportunity to come out here and support my daughters, and also support the community in favor of being pro-choice,” Reisner said. 

Reisner said the right to choose is a right she thought her daughters would never have to fight for in their lifetimes.

“We thought we had this in the books, technically,”  Reisner said. “But if we have to come out and keep doing it (fighting for that right), we will. We’ll never give up.”

Reisner said that she loves living in St. George.

“It’s a beautiful place. I have really enjoyed the fact that people are starting to become a little bit more progressive,” she said. “And this is why I’m here, to support that progressiveness. We could definitely use a big dose of that.”

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