By Sandeep Prasad and Jill Doctoroff, published in the Star
Fifty years ago the Abortion Caravan came to Ottawa as part of the decades-long sexual rights movement that changed the country – and eventually led to the decriminalization of abortion.
Today, as standard-bearers for that same movement, we’re marking the important anniversary of this historic event – and reflecting on how far we have to go, at a time when disparities in health care access across the country are becoming clearer in the face of a global health crisis.
In the spring of 1970, a group of feminists left Vancouver to travel across the country to Ottawa with one goal: safe abortion care for everyone. On the way, the caravan stopped in towns, held meetings, and gathered more followers.