A “Vote No” rally to oppose the proposed amendment known as “Value Them Both” was held along North Main Street at North Main Park in El Dorado, on Sunday, June 26th following the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
The rally was organized by Suzanne Scribner and was attended by both men and women, and counted registered Democrats, Republicans and Independents in their number. They all stood together in bipartisan unison to have their voices heard and called for a “NO” vote against the “Value Them Both” proposition that will be on Kansas ballots on August 2nd.
The proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution will be decided by Kansas voters during the primary election held on that date.
“We need to show that there are people in Butler County, Kansas, who are upset and we’re not going to be quiet,” said Scribner.
Women’s healthcare and access to health care in the state of Kansas is top of mind for a group of young women who attended the rally.
“We’re here supporting women’s reproductive rights,” said one person who asked to remain anonymous. “My boss is avidly “vote yes” and I don’t want to risk losing my job.”
“I’m here to protect the right and fight for the right for myself, my daughter, for every woman,” said Hali Stevenson. She attended the rally with her husband and their new born son.
“It’s unbelievable that it’s 2022 and we haven’t progressed to a state of equality,” said Stevenson. “For me it’s about removing beliefs from the equation. “
“Not everyone in the United States in Christian. Not everyone believes the propaganda that is being pushed,” she said. “It’s important to raise my voice for choice and make it about the beliefs of everyone and not a select few.”
“Pro-choice is an important thing to keep as a human right,” said Linda Swan. She was joined at the rally by her husband Mike Swan.
“I think the repercussions of this are dangerous,” said Mike Swan. “It was a hard-fought for right. The makeup of the court now was convoluted and it’s dangerous going forward with some other issues. I’m very upset about that,” he said.
Rally attendee, Debbie Hill shared her own personal story. “I had a miscarriage once and it was the most extreme pain I’ve ever been through,” she said.
“I almost had to force the doctor to perform the D&C,” said Hill. “Without a “No” vote, we will not have access to that procedure. We have to vote no.”
Deanna Bonn 
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