Seguin community peacefully protests Roe v. Wade decision

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade almost three weeks ago. This past Sunday, members of the Seguin community rallied downtown to protest the decision of the United States’ highest court.

Seguin local Courtney Lynch organized the event via the Stand Up Tribe Facebook page following the court’s decision.

“So this is our first protest,” Lynch said. “I honestly started this group just for Seguin the day after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and we’ve now grown to like 500 people in different parts of America which is great. Mostly, we have been sharing factual information, not just reading the headlines, but going through and actually reading the SCOTUS opinions. They’re a little terrifying along with the Texas GOP permanent party platform, that’s absolutely terrifying what they’re trying to do to Texas, and I want to make sure Seguin is going to be safe. So I’m here to raise more awareness in the city of Seguin because none of our elected officials have commented anything on women’s rights being taken away.”

Lynch and the diverse group of protestors marched around downtown with signs, flags, and megaphones, peacefully exercising their right to free speech.

On the opposite side of Central Park, there was a duo with their own flag with the message, “God is Pro-Life” emblazoned on it.

Rebecca Broughton said it was personally important to her that she be there to share her view.

“It’s actually a counter-protest because we are pro-life,” Broughton said. “Abortion is not what God wants –– that’s killing, and God says we shall not kill. When you kill a child in the womb, that is murder. They can do what they want, that’s fine. What they believe is what they believe, but we also believe in life.”

Her fellow protestor Dave Nyberg, while religious, preferred a more scientific approach to inform his stance on the issue.

“When a sperm and an egg unite, it creates a brand new DNA and people are identified by their DNA, it’s the building block of life,” Nyberg said. “It’s not the mother’s DNA, so it’s not her body. It’s not the father’s DNA, it’s not his body. It’s a brand new life that’s been created.”

While Nyberg and Broughton are part of a nationwide group of people that believe life starts at conception, a Gallup poll conducted following the release of the court’s leaked draft found that 55 percent of Americans are Pro-Choice.

A major point in the Pro-Choice argument, besides the bodily autonomy of biological females, is they are concerned about what the privacy protections that overturning Roe v. Wade means for all Americans.

“I am worried that women are not going to be able to have their right to healthcare,” Lynch said. “Not only that, but another thing Roe v. Wade did was to help protect medical privacy, so that doesn’t just affect women, that affects everyone. And I know that while Seguin is America’s biggest small town, we still need to be a welcoming community. So I want to make sure everybody knows you are safe in Seguin. You have allies here.”

Just two days prior to the Seguin rally, President Biden issued an Executive Order which builds on actions already taken by the current Administration to protect reproductive rights. According to whitehouse.gov, the order safeguards access to reproductive health services, including abortion and contraceptives, and protects patients’ privacy and access to accurate information. It also promotes safety for patients, providers, and clinics.

While the future of abortion access in Texas and the country is uncertain, Lynch and the Stand Up Tribe Facebook group encourage all community members to register to vote and turn out for the upcoming elections. They also say to contact local and state representatives to ensure their voices are heard.