On Thursday, Aug. 25, students gathered around the Sherrod Library steps to protest Tennessee’s activation of the trigger ban on abortion. The protest was set up by both ETSU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) and the College Democrats. Kate Craig, a candidate for the state senate, also spoke during the rally.
Levi Jones, President of the College Democrats, said, “We are here to show the state legislature that we as young people do not agree with the abortion ban placed on all Tennesseans.”
During his speech, Jones stated that even though the law doesn’t mean they still should do everything in their power to fight it.
“I think the abortion ban is an attack on the people of the United States. It’s a healthcare crisis. We need to do everything and everything possible to revise,” stated Aria Inaba, a former ETSU student.
“We came out here to show everyone that we are not going quietly into this. They can’t just take women’s rights away like this and expect us to sit here and take it,” said Elijah Moore, co-chair of the YDSA.
In her speech to the crowd, Kate Craig thanked everyone for fighting the ‘bullshit’ that older generations are putting them through. The most touching thing she said in her speech was that fixing the world should not have to fall on our shoulders. It often feels that way, but at least people like her are fighting to make a difference.
It is hard to put into words how big of a setback the Supreme Court decision is, on not only women’s rights, but democracy itself. As a man, I have no authority to tell anyone how they should be thinking or acting in this situation. All I can offer is my support and my deepest condolences.
