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Reproductive rights marches, rallies held across western Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Reproductive rights rallies were held from Everett to Seattle to Olympia today — in support of a woman’s right to choose.

The rally in the state’s capital was personal for the woman who organized it. She says she would have died if she hadn’t been able to have an abortion years ago.

Now she is here fighting for the right of others to choose, too.

They came with their signs and their stories, here to send a message that the decision to terminate a pregnancy belongs to the woman. The issue was brought into sharp relief most recently by a Texas law that severely restricts a woman’s right to an abortion.

“When Texas did what they did, I’ve always said I kind of jump rope,” said Tawney Thayer. “I play ‘double-dutch’ with the line of passion and anger.”

The Puyallup woman says both emotions reached a fever pitch, pushing her to do something she never has, by organizing a rally in support of reproductive rights — a right, she says, saved her life years ago.

“It’s personal just as someone who has a uterus,” said Thayer, “and as someone who wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t had access to safe and legal abortion services.”

Her passion has resulted in this, a reproductive rights march to the steps of the Washington State Capitol. The welcome sunshine on this fall Saturday drew people here from across the South Sound.

“Without access to legal abortion,” said Chelsie Kopp of Bonney Lake, her voice trailing off. “It’s crazy to me that we’re here, that we’re still doing this.”

Her emotions ran over. She says the issue of reproductive rights has figured prominently over several generations of women in her family.

Now the mother of a four-year-old girl, Kopp says she delivered this message to her daughter as she left for the rally.

“And I want you to know you can choose to do whatever you want with your body,” she said. “And that’s why Mommy’s going to (the rally) today because I want you to have that choice and not have to fight for that.”

But it’s a fight the people here say they are willing to take part in.