Supporters And Opponents Of Abortion Rights Stage Competing Good Friday Rallies

​About 50 people who support abortion rights held a rally Friday morning outside a Milwaukee clinic where abortion services are provided. They said their “pro-choice celebration” was aimed at supporting the clinic, Affiliated Medical Services, and its patients.

Abortion opponents were also there Friday, finishing a “40 Days for Life” string of protests, part of an international effort aimed at ending abortion.

The speakers at the abortion rights event included religious leaders such as Rev. Suzelle Lynch of Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield. Lynch said it’s perfectly appropriate to discuss abortion rights on Good Friday.

“My tradition has Christian roots, and our understanding of who Jesus is, is the man who loved all and would be there for all persons, particularly those who are most marginalized. Access to safe, legal reproductive health services is in support, definitely of, women and children who are marginalized.” Lynch said.

Lynch added that restricting access to reproductive health care creates “a pathway into poverty.”

“Jesus would not be in support of people taking the fast-track to poverty,” the reverend said.

Also speaking at the pro-choice celebration was Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, chair of the Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Margulis argued many people of faith are in favor of abortion rights. She said the Jewish festival of Purim, which is taking place this week, carries a relevant message: “Purim was a day of religion trying to protect itself from assault. We’re trying to protect people’s religious rights to practice what they believe, in safety and security and whatever level of privacy they can, with all these people out here.”

Clinic protester Tony Couppee said he was glad to discuss abortion in the context of Good Friday, but offered a far different take on the issue.

“Good Friday is where our savior died on the cross, specifically for all this,” he said. “That death that came through one man, Jesus, that many could be saved and redeemed, so we conquer death. So, we should not glorify death and call it choice.”

The Good Friday discussion of abortion comes during a high-profile time for the issue: Conservative groups and politicians are trying to reduce funds for Planned Parenthood, and the U.S. Supreme Court is looking at cases that could lead to additional restrictions for abortion providers. What’s more, presidential candidates are debating the topic on the campaign trail, with more discussion expected between now and November.