Women’s rights are everyone’s rights so women and men gathered at the Augusta County Courthouse plaza in downtown Staunton to voice their concerns about their rights being taken away.
Several community members spoke Saturday afternoon at the Women’s Rights and Freedoms Rally organized by the Augusta County Democratic Committee. The Staunton rally was held ‘in solidarity’ with rallies across the United States, including in Washington, D.C.
Ken Mitchell, Democratic candidate in Tuesday’s Election 2024 for Virginia’s District 6, is “a proud girl dad” of two. He supports the Equal Rights Amendment.
“As I stand here today, two and a half days out from Election [Day], I can think of no place I’d rather stand than on these steps in Staunton with this Women’s and Freedom Rights Rally. As I have said from the beginning, our democracy will be saved by women,” Mitchell said.
Early in his parenthood, Mitchell said he used to say that he raised girls but he has come to understand that girls raised him.
“And they have raised me to see the difference between right and wrong when it comes to human rights and women’s rights,” Mitchell said.
Virginia was the 38th state in the U.S. to ratify the ERA.
“But, what we need to do now is carry the ball across the finish line and get the ERA made into the 28th Amendment of the United States Constitution,” Mitchell said. “And, I assure you, that in Congress I will do whatever I can to advance that, to make that the 28th Amendment. The hard work that women have done throughout our history cannot continue to be unrecognized from that perspective and we must ensure that we have gender rights in our Constitution.”
Mitchell said he will vote to support women’s and LGBTQ+ rights if elected to U.S Congress.
“Because, when you take the rights and freedoms away from one, you take rights and freedoms away from all,” he said.
Mitchell said his rights and women’s rights will be protected.
“And, guess what, ladies? We’re not going back,” Mitchell said.
Jennifer Jones is volunteer coordinator for the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center in Staunton.
“Today, we gather to discuss an issue that lies at the heart of human dignity: bodily autonomy, and I am here to discuss that issue within the LGBTQ+ community,” Jones said.
Bodily autonomy is not an individual choice, but “a fundamental right,” according to Jones.
“Every person should have the freedom to determine what happens to their body,” she said, “free from coercion and discrimination. This includes the right to make informed choices about healthcare and identity expression.”
Access to healthcare for LGBTQ is lifesaving healthcare. 
“No one should have to navigate a healthcare system that does not honor their identity,” Jones said.
Bodily autonomy, according to Jones, includes reproductive rights and access to abortion services.
“This right must be upheld for all individuals regardless of their identity.”
Mental health services access is also important for LGBTQ, as well as legislation to prevent hate crimes.
“We need policies that not only prevents violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, but also promote a culture of respect and inclusion.”
Race, class and disability also intersect with the rights of LGBTQ+ community.
“We must prioritize education and awareness.”
Jordan Phan is education chair for Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGA) at UVA. She attended the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C. with her father.
“We’re facing an intensely and increasingly restrictive and punitive policy landscape when it comes to reproductive rights and reproductive freedoms,” she said.
Virginia is the last Southern state not to have a post-Roe v. Wade abortion ban.
“This means we are the hub for abortion access across the entire South,” Phan said. And only a couple of dozen abortion clinics are in Virginia. A constitutional amendment would enshrine the right to abortion access for all women.
According to Phan, Republicans want to criminalize bodily autonomy and birth control is next.
“Our right to plan with, when and how many children we have is being attacked at a fundamental level all across the United States.”
Phan said she was not speaking at Saturday’s rally to tell anyone who to vote for on November 5, 2024, but she did encourage everyone to vote their conscious.
“Vote for the people who are going to protect your rights, your freedoms, those freedoms of your community members, of your families and your loved ones.”
Madison Satz is president of PPGA.
“As we gather together, we’re reminded that Virginia is at a critical juncture,” Satz. Votes on November 5 will shape the reproductive future of counties, states and America. Protecting reproductive rights has never been easy but Virginia voters have shown they “will not back down.”
Barbara Lee of Staunton was 15 years old when she marched on Washington in August 1963 with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
She said she is sick and tired of being sick and tired, but the fight continues.
“Every three to four years, the Republican Party goes after the weakest link, which are children and women,” Lee said. “I’m sick and tired of this, and I hope you all are, too.”
She said that the hope is to get Mitchell elected to U.S. Congress, but if he is elected, voters cannot just sit at home and leave all the work up to him. He will still need support.
Lee said she still enjoys knocking on doors and encourage individuals to vote.
Related stories:
‘We won’t go back’: Women’s rights rally planned in Augusta County
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Rebecca Barnabi
