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Norwalk Reproductive Justice event marks Dobbs anniversary

June 24, 2023
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Diane Keefe
Common Council member Nora Niedzielski-Eichner (D-At Large), Saturday in the First Congregational Church on the Green. (Diane Keefe)

NORWALK, Conn. — At a Norwalk Actions for Reproductive Justice event Saturday marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court, Nora Niedzielski-Eichner cited specific cases where reproductive emergency care was denied to women until they were close to death.

The Justice Department recently sent a letter that all hospitals need to provide emergency care to include not waiting until a person who is pregnant is close to death before providing treatment, said Niedzielski-Eichner, a Democratic Common Council at large member. She characterized Dobbs as bad law, not just law we disagree with.

Many religious leaders are standing up, disagreeing with the religious interpretations made by folks opposed to abortion rights, speakers said. The urged people to support Husky for all birthing people and all children. In Connecticut, children under age 15 have it but more must be done.

Norwalker Jessica Puk, president of the Reach Fund of CT, said in 2021 38% of state residents can’t afford  an unexpected medical expense like an abortion. Reach Fund has thus far supported access to 90 abortions, but can’t meet the need they are seeing.

State Rep. Lucy Dathan (D-142) also spoke.

“I wore my ‘Roe’ shirt to the grocery store after this event and I had no less than 15 people approach me and say ‘thank you,’” Dathan wrote on Facebook. “One lady approached me and said without abortion care, she wouldn’t be here in Norwalk. She wouldn’t have received a college degree, nor had a successful career. She wouldn’t have met her partner and she wouldn’t have her children.”

She added, “We need to normalize abortions. We didn’t talk about it – we took it for granted for far too long.”

State Rep. Lucy Dathan (D-142), Saturday in the First Congregational Church on the Green. (Contributed)

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19 responses to “Norwalk Reproductive Justice event marks Dobbs anniversary”

  1. Skip Hagerty

    Contraception anyone?

    1. Jessica Puk

      Contraception fails. Not everyone who needs an abortion was trying to prevent pregnancy – I terminated a pregnancy that was very wanted and unfortunately not viable. We cannot possibly account for every single person’s unique circumstances which is why patients can be trusted to make their own decisions and the rest of us can mind our business. Abortion is healthcare.

    2. Ashley Gulyas

      In addition to what Jessica has already shared, bans on contraception or making contraception as inaccessible as possible often go hand-in-hand with bans on abortion. Reproductive Justice is about more than abortion. It’s about accessibility to contraception, better maternal healthcare, and so much more. So yes, we have heard of contraception, and we’re trying to protect that too.

  2. John O’Neill

    Attached are Figures from NY State Abortion Summary which I found staggering: What sticks out to me are women who’ve had multiple abortions.

    https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/vital_statistics/2017/table19.htm

    Quite honestly this summary make me sick. This summary may not fit on a T-Shirt I might wear in a Grocery Store, but nonetheless gives a clear
    picture of the “Reproductive” Health benefits related to Abortion. Pathetic.

  3. Shira T

    I was at this event. It was really uplifting, supportive, and validating. Abortion is not a dirty word: it’s a vital medical procedure that saves lives. This important procedure has been demonized for years by those who don’t understand how pregnancy works. People who can become pregnant should have access to abortion care and miscarriage care whenever and wherever they need it. Thank you for covering this event.

  4. Melissa Murray

    I am so disappointed with the comments above by Mr. O’Neill.

    We cannot possibly know from the statistical grid he references why someone has had multiple abortions. Statistics have no explanatory power and do nothing to provide nuance about the intersectional lives of those receiving this form of healthcare. Those who have suffered from infertility and multiple pregnancy losses often need Dilation & Extraction (D&E) to avoid infection after the loss. This is a common procedure. It is one filled with tremendous grief after such a loss but nonetheless is medically necessary and potentially life-saving. You will notice D&Es are accounted for in these statistics because D&Es are abortions. In countries and states where abortion is outlawed, women have died from sepsis after being denied this lifesaving treatment. This is not hypothetical. Again, we do not know the reasons for multiple abortions. Abortions can be medically necessary even for very wanted children. The assumption expressed in Mr. O’Neill’s comments – that those who have multiple abortions are loose women using Abortion for birth control – is quite frankly, an outdated misogynist trope that is not supported by the medical community or any well-regarded health studies. No one should be shamed for their attempt to start a family, their choice not to have one, or the medical decisions they make with their doctors. Simply put, abortion saves lives.

    1. John O’Neill

      Melissa: Thank You for your kind words…
      “Simply put, abortion saves lives”? — Except of course for those who aren’t able to speak out. Funny thing about statistics that aren’t manipulated — They are quite frankly the unvarnished truth. I think you would agree we all could use a little more of that. As far as misogynist tropes ? — I think my 5 sisters, my wife and 3 daughters may disagree..If you could fill in the blanks for us with unskewed statistics to prove your point, I’m all ears. I stand by the facts as stated by New York State. We’re not talking about facts issues by a Red State in the Midwest. Again, if you can factually and statistically prove my point skewed that would make me happy. I find NYS stats eye opening and worth understanding.

      1. Ashley Gulyas

        I don’t think Melissa is saying these statistics aren’t truth. I believe she is pointing out that you’re choosing to see what you want to see, rather than accounting for the reasons someone might need an abortion, like a D&E procedure following a miscarriage. There are many who face infertility challenges who often have multiple heartbreaking miscarriages…which would show up in this chart as multiple abortions. Abortion absolutely does save lives – there are pregnant people who have and would die if they aren’t able to get a medically necessary abortion, which is why these decisions should be between the pregnant person and their healthcare provider and are no one else’s business. Those pregnant people’s lives are valuable, and many times the pregnancy wasn’t viable in the first place. As far as upholding misogynistic tropes…plenty of people have sisters, wives, and daughters and uphold misogyny all the time, whether they realize it or not…

        1. John O’Neill

          The number of D&E procedures account for a minimal amount of total abortions. Any fair minded person would look at those statistics and certainly question what may be going on. One point I agree with both of you on — People do need to be better educated on abortion. I stand by the facts as presented by New York State. It sounds like when the facts don’t support an argument one either changes those facts or tries to tarnish the other side of the debate. Neither is a good look.

      2. Jessica Puk

        Statistics mean nothing without context. It’s harmful to look at numbers and make assumptions about the very real people and their very real circumstances behind those numbers. Rather than saying the number of abortions is too high (would we ever say the amount of heart valve replacements is too high?) why aren’t we concerned with the lack of affordable childcare, the lack of access to education, lack of housing, lack of food, and all the other issues that affect the people in this country?

        And the thing is, even if you gave everyone free, reliable contraception, free housing, unlimited food, and all the resources we could possibly need – we will still need abortion care. Abortion is part of comprehensive healthcare whether you like it or not.

  5. Kate Tepper

    In a quote sometimes attributed to the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli but made famous in the United States by one of it’s finest authors Mark Twain, “there are lies, dammed lies, and statistics”. Mr. O’Neill seems to be using all three elements in this quote to make his point.

    It is not the first time he has trotted out his wife, three daughters and five sisters to “prove” his lack of misogyny. The connection between a plethora of female relatives and forced birth escapes me.

    The joys of a wanted pregnancy are indeed great but if Mr. O’Neill abrogates to himself the “right” to decide the circumstances of bringing an unwanted or dangerous pregnancy to term, he will, of course, assume the responsibilities that come with that right

    Naturally, he will want to ensure that the already born infant will have adequate food, shelter, clothing, education and a caring environment.

    Perhaps he could let the readers of Nancy On Norwalk know what he is doing to fulfill those responsibilities? Will he be there at three in the morning when the mother has to be at work by six AM and cannot afford the exorbitant costs of daycare?

    A commitment to a child doesn’t end when the umbilical cord is cut; it lasts a lifetime. It is that lifetime commitment Mr. O’Neill that more accurately defines pro-life. What you advocate is merely pro-existence.

    Finally, what a woman (or pregnant person) decides is in their own best interests is none of your business.

  6. John O’Neill

    Kate: Thank you for your insight. I respect your position. After all, isn’t that what makes America a special place. It doesn’t seem like you respect mine. That’s too bad, but life rolls on.
    Regarding bringing up my family: I’m proud of my family and the relationships we have, so I guess they’re always at the forefront of my mind. . I hope that’s the case with everyone. IF I’ve been redundant over the years, c’est la vie.
    I do believe that when people talk about “Normalizing” Abortion, it might be time to think about the consequences of that.
    Lastly, hit me with some hard statistics and I’ll take you or anyone else seriously. The current debating playbook politically is to attack the person if the stats don’t fit the agenda. That seems to be the case here.

  7. Bryan Meek

    Not taking a side here since I have none, but advocating for this in a church of God? Really? Were there no other options for public advocacy? I would find that hard to believe. I would think that in a world where tolerance is accepted some might see the transgression here. Very sad.

    1. Ashley Gulyas

      The fact that FCC on the Green was willing to open its doors for this event was incredibly meaningful. While many churches and religions oppose abortion, this is not the case for all of them and it’s important for folks to realize this. FCC on the Green is a church that values everyone’s bodily autonomy and right to make their own choices. In the Jewish faith, full access to safe and legal abortion care is valued and protected. Pushing one religious belief or agenda about abortion on our entire country is wrong and minimizes so many of us who are people of faith who also believe in abortion rights. There were many in attendance on Saturday who had not felt safe or welcomed in a church in years (if ever!) and felt the significance of being welcomed and feeling safe at this event.

  8. Bryan Meek

    Tolerance is a two way street, but clearly not for some. Redefining Christianity seems to be a birthright as well, as long as you are lucky enough to be born. Remember when the church used to teach humility and not embracing the seven deadly sins?

    1. Ashley Gulyas

      Christianity isn’t the only religion, and we do not live in a Christian country. Individuals have the right to define their faith. I like how you started your first comment with “not taking a side here since I have none” when it is very clear that you do in fact have a side that you’re taking…

      1. Bryan Meek

        Not taking a side on the issue. Taking a side on using a house of God to advocate on the issue. For the people who believe that Christianity doesn’t support infanticide, how are they supposed to feel having their place of worship co-opted for a political issue? One that can be advocated for on every street corner, in classrooms, and government buildings. Is there no respect or tolerance for their views?

        1. Ashley Gulyas

          First of all, FCC on the Green wasn’t the original location for this event. The event was not planned to be in a church. It was intended to be held on the green, and FCC opened its doors to the host the event because of the rainy weather. As far as anyone feeling that their house of worship was co-opted for this event…I am quite sure (and I say this as a member of FCC on the Green) that everyone who attends FCC on the Green is very clear on the leadership and congregation’s opinions about Reproductive Justice. This is not a church you attend if taking a strong stance on social justice issues is a problem for you. The folks who attend FCC on the Green know the kind of church they’re attending, and we’re very proud of our church.

          And just saying…when you refer to abortion as infanticide, you’re taking a pretty clear side on the issue.

  9. Bryan Meek

    Oh, I must have missed that in scripture. Was that the 11h commandment? Thou shall have reproductive justice? I don’t even know what that means. It would be nice to know what the end game is here. It’s state sanctioned, sponsored, promoted, and funded and yet it never seems to be enough. In siding with the opinion of RGB, the court returned the matter to the states and yet it is still a hot button political issue in deep, deep blue Connecticut where one political party is clearly putting it on the ballot with so many other pressing issues that should get more focus here. It’s a free country and I support free will but no one is entitled to an opinion that the catechism supports this. It does not. Call it another religion or whatever, but it is not Christian. And again, I support free will and pray that no woman ever has to make this life altering decision. But I cringe when I see “roevember” as it foretells that once again we’ll be ignoring more pressing issues here in CT. While it may be a national issue, it is not a state issue here. When it comes to national issues that we can have an impact on, for one I’d rather our leaders stop our electrical suppliers from buying and burning Russian oil given the loss of life in Europe that is resulting from our war on domestic energy here.

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