By Rosalind Brazel
Community members led by Washington Community Action Network protested Thursday in front Sen. Steve O’Ban’s campaign launch in University Place to call attention to his voting practices regarding women’s equity issues including reproductive rights, paid sick days and gender pay equity. Protesters dressed as a “chain gang” aimed to disrupt the event and inform attendees that O’Ban’s voting practices are criminal to women.
O’Ban, incumbent candidate of the state’s 28th Legislative District, has consistently voted against legislation that extends women’s reproductive rights including a bill in 2013 that would have required insurance companies to provide reproductive health services as part of the benefits they offer. He also sponsored a bill in the most recent session that would require minors to notify their parents of their need for abortion services.
This protest supports the Stand With Women campaign that aims to update the rules with the basic idea that women should be equal participants in society and have reproductive freedom, equal pay and policies that support pregnant women in the workplace.