Catherine Paavola grew up in Detroit and shared, “If abortion had been legal in ‘68, I would not have, as a teenager, had to travel to Mexico for an abortion. It has been legal for many years. It should remain legal.”

She said abortion is a private, healthcare issue.

She also thanked the others who showed up to the march and for the public’s attention to the issue.

Audrey Gerard, a healthcare organizer with Michigan United, thanked the people who worked together to organize the event. They included the League of Women Voters in Copper Country, Rise UP Keweenaw Chapter, Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action, and Michigan United.

Gabriel Ahrendt, a member of Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action, said the Keweenaw march was just one of the demonstrations happening across the country today, and that he came out to support reproductive rights for his friends impacted directly by abortion laws.

“I have a lot of friends who live in Texas,” Ahrendt said. “… We don’t want that to happen here in Michigan.”