I’d like to give a big public shout-out of thanks to Olympia Public Works and Transportation who left a care package on my bicycle last night.
I left my shift at Radiance at eight PM to find my commuter bike decked out with a tiny but powerful front light and two reflective elastic bands for my pant cuffs, imprinted with the line: Olympia, your streets, your city.
Biking to and from work year round saves me money, keeps me healthy, and frees up limited parking spaces for downtown commerce. It’s worth the hassle.
Next time it’s cold and wet and late, I’m going to feel safer and more supported knowing the city has my back. And handlebars, and pant cuffs.
Thank you so much!
- – Heather “Not the drummer” Dunn
I was tooling down Legion Way today, hubby in tow, cruising for some downtown breakfast. I
noticed people standing on both sides of the street where the women’s clinic is, and I assumed it was the usual crowd of “Right to Lifers”. I was a little surprised to see such a crowd, especially younger people.
Then my husband pointed out they were carrying signs saying “We Love Planned Parenthood” and “Support Choice”.
I pulled over and went back to get a better look. Yup. There, standing side-by-side with the ugly poster sized photos of Hitler and Goering and babies ripped from the womb, were young women holding signs to protect their right to choose.
It warmed my heart to see a large and visible response to the long-standing anti-abortion crowd.
I once wondered if there was any energy for protecting women’s rights in this town and now here was tangible evidence.
Won’t Olympia Power & Light take this challenge: interview those who are standing and witnessing, here in Olympia, for their beliefs?
I understand, this is no Tahrir Square. But these young faces were so bright with their personal expressions of freedom, I couldn’t help but recall those brave young people in Cairo and wonder whether they hadn’t been the inspiration here, too.
– Zena Hartung
[Editors’ Note: An OP&L reporter attended one of the events at Planned Parenthood and is preparing an article for the next issue.]
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