Last Thursday, community members led by Washington Community Action Network (CAN) protested n front Sen. Steve O’Ban’s campaign launch in University Place to call attention to his voting practices regarding women’s equity issues including reproductive rights, paid sick days and gender pay equity. Protesters dressed as a “chain gang” aimed to disrupt the event and inform attendees that O’Ban’s voting practices are criminal to women.
“As a community organization fighting for economic justice, Washington CAN recognizes that women are central to our families and our economy,” said Washington Community Action Network Co-Executive Director Mary Nguyen. “Senators like Steve O’Ban needs to expand health care access for women and trust that we will make healthy decisions for our bodies, family, and community.”
According to Washington CAN, O’Ban, incumbent candidate of the state’s 28th Legislative District, has consistently voted against legislation that extends women’s reproductive rights including a bill in 2013 that would have required insurance companies to provide reproductive health services as part of the benefits they offer. He also sponsored a bill in the most recent session that would require minors to notify their parents of their need for abortion services.
“As a teenager, I was raped and had an abortion as a result of that crime,” said Washington CAN member MykleAnn Mora. “O’Ban’s proposed bill would have restricted the free choices teenagers deserve when they choose not to involve their parents.”
The protest was in support of the Stand With Women campaign that aims to update the rules with the basic idea that women should be equal participants in society and have reproductive freedom, equal pay and policies that support pregnant women in the workplace.
