A Danville edition of an organization based in Chicago protested with about two dozen people in the Danville Public Library parking lot Saturday afternoon (June 24th); on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade.
Mary Catherine Roberson says “reproductive freedom” is what Personal PAC has been fighting for in the Chicago region for over 30 years. But now Danville has their first chapter outside of Chicagoland. And after the May 2nd Danville City Council vote that passed an ordinance not allowing abortion related medications or tools to be received in Danville by mail, Roberson says future Danville elections is what they’re aiming for.
(Middle Picture) Danville Personal PAC co-chair Mary Catherine Robeson addresses crowd during Saturday afternoon Roe v Wade anniversary date protest in Danville Public Library parking lot.
AUDIO: (We’re) working to make sure that we’re turning out pro-choice voters in our next municipal election, that we’re identifying candidates that will run. So, right now is the organizing phase. We’ve got a couple years until the next election. So, we just want to make sure that we keep the energy around this issue, and that we don’t forget. And again, that we’re just organizing around finding candidates and voters to make sure that this stays at the forefront of our memory.
Roberson is co-chairing the Danville chapter of Personal PAC with Vermilion County Pride Coalition President Caylynne Dobbles. She said that when the Danville abortion ordinance was in the works, the Vermilion County Pride Coalition began talking with Personal PAC in Chicago. And the communication continues.
AUDIO: When the ordinance was first happening, we reached out to Personal PAC. And they came down. They’re showing us the hopes; how to fight this, how to do everything legally. We’re working closely with them. They’re actually sending a few of us from the Danville chapter up to Chicago within the next few weeks just to get some training.
An amendment to the final ordinance passed by the Danville City Council in May stated that the ordinance does not become effective until any future court decision that would rule in favor of it. Meanwhile, the women’s health clinic planning to move into the old Dillman Eye Care at 600 North Logan and offer abortions, Affirmative Care Solutions, is still looking to open in the future. They have told Neuhoff Media that no opening date is set at this time.
