By RACHEL SHUBIN
Special to the Sentinel
CAPE MAY — The U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24 is a day that will live in infamy for current and future generations of Americans.
As the new reality of living in the “post-Roe generation” sets in, a local movement to protect bodily autonomy has begun.
Perigee Moon Tattoo is hosting a “Bans Off Our Bodies” march for reproductive rights at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, on the Promenade in front of Cape May Convention Hall. The march will begin at 6 p.m. and head toward the Cove. The public is encouraged to bring signs and friends to the event.
“Come out and march with us, take an hour or two off in the evening and march with us,” Perigee Moon owner Kirsten Ewing said. “Bring your moms, dads, everyone you can.”
In addition to the march, Perigee is holding a raffle to raise money for the National Network of Abortion Funds. Prizes will include three $100 gift certificates and one $300 gift certificate for tattoos at Perigee Moon, as well as donations from local businesses, including Out There Coffee, Ostara’s Coffee House, Guardian, Flying Fish Studio, Bad Cat Farm and others.
“There will be other businesses donating, too,” tattoo artist Sandy Gatelein said. “We can’t wait to see everyone there.”
The live raffle drawing will be held at the end of the event. Raffle entrants who cannot attend will receive a call, and prizes can be shipped. The raffle tickets are $10 and can be purchased by stopping into Perigee Moon.
“The mission of the National Network of Abortion Funds is to build power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic and reproductive justice,” tattoo artist Destanie Safford said. “They’re trying to make it safe and affordable for everyone to access abortions. It’s not just a women’s issue, it’s a trans issue, a racial issue and a human issue.”
Since the Supreme Court struck down Roe. v Wade as the law of the land, people everywhere are grappling with the way it will shape life going forward.
Participating in this march is one way for the local community to gather and speak its mind.
“Do not feel discouraged to come if you’re a male, because it’s your issue, too, and we need men to advocate too,” Safford said. “We are here to fight; this [right] is something that never should’ve been taken away and we are going to keep fighting like hell because we’re mad as hell.”
After the landmark decision overturned Roe, Cape May County Indivisible organized a march in Cape May Court House. The “F@#k the Fourth” protest for abortion rights was held July 4.
“Our mothers already fought this battle and now they’re doing it again,” Ewing said.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he would work toward expanding access to reproductive freedom and bolstering abortion rights. Murphy signed two bills to protect the rights of those who travel from outside the state to get abortion services in New Jersey.