Prince George women protest at third annual pro-choice rally

Women gathered in front of the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia on Tuesday (Nov. 20) in support of the third annual pro-choice rally.

Protesters worked in shifts throughout the day, waving pro-choice signs at passersby on 15th Avenue.

“I think it’s important to give visibility to the other side of the argument as far as pro-choice goes,” says participant Britt Meierhofer.

“Often times, we see people standing out on this stretch of road with pro-life signs and usually they are old, white men. I think it’s important for us to get out and lend some visibility to the pro-choice movement and put the people who are actually in charge of those uteri in front of people.”

The pro-choice rally is one of the annual events held during Inspiring Women Among Us Week (IWAU), which is a series of celebrations held at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) prior to the National Day of Remembrance and Action on the Violence Against Women.

“I know just from the feedback from people today, they are really appreciative that the pro-choice side is being represented,” says Sarah Boyd, coordinator of the Northern Women’s Centre at UNBC.

Before IWAU started in 2015, the Northern Women’s Centre hosted an annual pro-choice rally and now they partner to host the annual event.

“We have had a great response and lots of beeping horns. People have even stopped to bring me coffee, it’s been a great day. We really appreciate that,” says Boyd.

Inspiring Women Among Us week concludes today (Nov. 21) with the annual memorial for the Montreal Women’s Massacre, which saw 14 women killed on the campus of École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. The memorial takes place at the UNBC Winter Garden beginning at 11:30 a.m. An open house at the Northern Women’s Centre will follow.