FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Representatives, organizers, and voters gathered in Fayetteville at the Voices and Votes rally on Sunday, Jan. 28, in hopes of amplifying women's voices and championing women's votes, according to its organizers.
For AR People, Progressive Arkansas Women PAC, Arkansans for Limited Government, and Emerge Arkansas hosted the event.
"It's really just a day to celebrate issues that affect women and we wanted to provide a space for people to come out to be able to take these direct actions to sign these petitions, but also to feel energized and galvanized by coming together and being excited to get ready for this election," Gennie Diaz, the executive director of For AR People, said.
Organizers of the rally are hoping to get two different petitions onto this year's ballot, including the Arkansas abortion amendment and an act to eliminate the tax on feminine hygiene products.
The Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin recently approved the language for the Arkansas abortion amendment to move forward.
The proposed amendment would permit abortion "for up to 18 weeks after fertilization, or in the instance of rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomaly," according to Arkansans for Limited Government (AFLG).
"I believe every woman should have the right and freedom to make personal, arduous, complicated, and sometimes heartbreaking decisions about her pregnancy," Arkansas Representative Denise Garner said at the rally in Fayetteville.
While Voices and Votes organizers would appreciate votes if the petitions pass, all they ask now is for people to sign them in order to give Arkansans a chance to vote.
"These two petitions that were circulating today, they're asking voters, 'Hey, just sign it,'" Diaz said. "By signing, you're saying that you believe in the right for Arkansas voters to be able to vote directly on these issues."
RELATED: Arkansas abortion amendment to move forward after approval from Attorney General Tim Griffin
There were also many pro-life protests outside pleading their case on why they believe the Arkansas abortion amendment is misleading.
"This amendment does a lot more than the supporters are telling us," Jerry Cox, the executive director of Family Council in Little Rock, said. "For example, they claim that this amendment only regulates abortion up to the 18th week of pregnancy, not so. It legalizes abortion for the entire nine months of pregnancy. This amendment is written in a very crafty way to make it sound like it doesn't do a whole lot."
If these petitions get up to 90,000 signatures, you will see them on your ballot this November.
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