WATCH: Protesters rally against abortion, sick leave votes outside Missouri Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Dozens of abortion and Proposition-A advocates gathered at the Capitol on Thursday to protest the recent passage of two bills during the legislative session.
On Wednesday, the senate ended its session after republicans forced a vote to approve a ballot measure to send abortion rights back to the voters. It also passed a bill to repeal voter-approved sick leave.
More than 100 advocates were at the Capitol and rallied in support of both. Voters passed both measures in the November election. The newly proposed amendment on abortion rights would go back to voters on the ballot next year, or sooner if Gov. Mike Kehoe calls a special election.
"I have two children, one is non-binary and does not want children and should have that right. Even though they take precautions, things happen. My other child wants kids when she's ready and they should have the same rights I had. I terminated at 17 and have zero regrets," said Denise Morgan-Irish, who is a volunteer with Abortion Action Missouri.
Theresa Miller also attended the rally in support of abortion rights. She said her support comes after her daughter faced a tough decision during her pregnancy.
"If her life was threatened in her pregnancy, they were going to choose her and not the baby. She had a 2-year-old at the time. That's a choice and decision for another, not for a legislature or anybody else," Miller said.
Tanya Hannahford, another volunteer with Abortion Action Missouri, said protecting abortion access is personal for her family.
"My daughter has Type-1 diabetes and a host of other health issues that could complicate her pregnancy, and I will choose my beautiful daughter over a clump of fetal tissue every time," Hannahford said.
Proposition-A went into effect on May 1 this year and was repealed 14 days later.
Advocates at the rally said repeating the measure strips away basic protections for working families living pay check to pay check and lawmakers are ignoring the will of the people.
Rep. Marty Joe Murray (D- St. Louis) spoke at Thursday's rally. He said voters showed up and proved what they wanted.
"You all changed the law. They disrespected us yesterday, no doubt. But, we're going to let them know Prop A can turn into Amendment 1 real quick, you hear me? So you wanna change the statutes, well we'll change the Constitution and we'll do it every single time," Murray said.
Fran Morion with Missouri Workers Center has worked in the fast food industry for more than 20 years. She said paid sick leave impacts her ability to take care of herself.
