Several local organizations and groups are partnering for an upcoming event to oppose the “Value Them Both” constitutional amendment in Kansas. Organizers hope to encourage voters to vote “no” to the amendment, which would remove legal protection of abortions and pave the way for a complete ban, in the upcoming Aug. 2 election.
The Vote No August 2 Rally and March, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, will begin at 11 a.m. with a rally at the South Park Gazebo, 1198 Massachusetts St. Those in attendance will hear from various speakers.
Alina Matejkowski said she was invited as a storyteller to share her lived experience with abortion access in Kansas. Matejkowski is heading into her junior year at the University of Kansas and is currently a member of the Freedom Defender Fellowship for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom.
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As a speaker at the event, Matejkowski said she hopes to reach young Kansans first and foremost.
“I think this event is incredibly important, especially for the demographic I’m targeting. (We’re) just doing our best to counteract the lack of transparency around this legislation,” Matejkowski said.
The amendment, if passed, would clear the way for the Kansas Legislature to ban all abortions, regardless of whether someone’s life is endangered or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.
Amii Castle, faculty adviser to ACLU of KU, is also scheduled to speak, among others. Castle was a moderator and Matejkowski was a panelist at a Douglas County Democratic Party seminar in March, where they discussed the lack of clarity of the ballot question.
Those planning to attend Saturday’s event are encouraged to participate by bringing their own signs or posters, Matejkowski said. Following the rally, everyone will march from South Park down Massachusetts Street.
The event is sponsored by the Douglas County Democrats, ACLU of KU, Planned Parenthood Great Plains, League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County, Bloom Midwifery and Lactation, Vote No Kansas, Lawrence DSA, Kansas Abortion Fund, and Kansas Youth Power Coalition.
The event will conclude at 1 p.m. Directly afterward, Kansans for Constitutional Freedom will host a separate canvassing event.
From 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, volunteers will go door to door to share information with residents. The signup form to volunteer at the canvassing event can be found at this link.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
More coverage: August 2 Election
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