Recap: Rally & Media Conference

January 22nd, 2024 marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which once guaranteed a woman’s right to abortion. Unfortunately, that right was tragically taken away in the Dobbs Decision in June of 2022 by the conservative majority of the US Supreme Court. This decision returned to the states the right to pass abortion-restricting bills. That was a horrific step backward for women’s right to bodily autonomy and control of their lives.

To commemorate this anniversary, the Triangle Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition held a historic and spirited Rally and Media Conference in the Bicentennial Plaza across from the NC General Assembly building. Faith leaders from across the Triangle shared remarks on the necessity of protecting access to reproductive healthcare in our state at this critical moment. Over 100 people from Triangle congregations attended the Rally. 

The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist took the lead in initiating the idea, organizing the Rally, and by providing speakers from within their ranks - Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson and congregant Melva Fager Okun. They were joined by 8 other religious leaders - including rabbis and ministers from several denominations. The Community Church also handled registration for a bus and helped underwrite the cost. The bus transported 56 Rally participants from the Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Pittsboro area, including ministers and rabbis. The bus riders enthusiastically sang their way to Raleigh. 

On behalf of the Coalition, we take great pride in thanking our faith leaders who shared remarks at the Rally:

Rev. Katey Zeh, Chief Executive Officer of Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice;
Rev. CJ Brinson, Down Home, NC;
Rabbi Solomon Hoffman, Kehillah Synagogue;
Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director of Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina;
Rev. Heather Rodrigues, Lead Pastor, Duke Memorial United Methodist Church;
Rev. Jennifer Ingold Asbill, Cooperative Baptist ordained member of Pastoral staff at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church;
Rev. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director of the North Carolina Council of Churches;
Rev. Chalice Overy, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church;
Rabbi Lucy Dinner, Temple Beth Or;                                                                                              Melva Fager Okun, congregant of Community Church of Chapel Hill

 
Here is a link to the full media conference with speeches by dynamic religious leaders. For more information, please contact Melva Fager Okun at melvafokun@gmail.com, Community Church of Chapel Hill UU and point person for the Coalition Committee Mobilization and Activism.