A few weeks ago I read an opinion piece that really sparked my interest. In it, the letter-writer makes a few claims about the people of Rhode Island and how we should consider that those who are pro-choice are, without a doubt, pro-abortion as well. I would like to respond to those claims.

In a poll conducted by the ProJo, Channel 6, and The Public's Radio last fall, 71 percent of Rhode Islanders showed support for a bill codifying into Rhode Island law abortion rights as decided in Roe v. Wade.

The writer makes the statement that Rhode Island is predominantly Catholic, and therefore, pro-life. What he does not point out is that Rhode Island is about 40 percent Catholic. This is a high number to be sure, but this does not acknowledge the 60 percent of Rhode Islanders who are not. That’s over half of the state whose beliefs and views on this issue need to be heard as well. Rhode Island is not solely a Catholic state.

It is also worth noting that the writer only called out East Bay Reps. June Speakman and Susan Donovan as being in support of the Reproductive Privacy Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade principles into R.I. law. In fact, there are five legislators (two of whom are men) in the East Bay who not only support, but are sponsors of the RPA in their respective houses. Representatives Speakman, Donovan and Jason Knight, along with Sens. Jim Seveney and Cindy Coyne, have put their names on the bills, bringing our elected official total to five, not two, who back the Reproductive Privacy Act.

A last important point — to say that being pro-choice is to be pro-abortion is just an incorrect statement, backed by nothing but personal opinion. That would be the same as saying someone who is pro-death penalty is pro-murder. It just sounds silly and really doesn’t require further thought than to just brush it off as complete “hogwash.”

To quote Daniel Patrick Moynihan, “You're entitled to your own opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts.”

Emily Noel
Bristol