Media Date: 08/07/2014
Type of Media: newspaper
Name of Media: The Ottawa Sun
Interviewer: Megan Gillis
Interviewee: Julie S. Lalonde Role: Spokesperson for The Radical Handmaids & The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada
Article Information
| Background | A man filed a complaint because an anti-choice group dropped off really graphic pamphlets to his home. |
| Reason | The complaint made its way to the Ottawa Sun, who contacted both pro-choicers and anti-choicers to get their opinion on the tactic of circulating graphic imagery in order to make a case against abortion. |
| Comment | I was really impressed that for a traditionally right-wing paper, the article gave my allies such a strong voice. We were called a "Reproductive Justice group", rather than the usual "pro-abortion" title. I was also quoted fairly and I'm really happy with the quotes that were used: "But Julie Lalonde, a founder of local reproductive rights group the Radical Handmaids, argued the campaign strips Ottawans of the choice of whether to view images so graphic any broadcaster would preface them with a warning. There was talk of a counter-demonstration but the ultimate decision was to warn of the group's activities, which Lalonde argued leave most people - whatever their beliefs - "pretty horrified." "I think they do our job for us," she said. "I think they make themselves look bad enough that there's really nothing to add." |
| Outcome | Antis flooded the comment section, as they are wont to do, but overall, people agreed that the issue here is whether people should be able to CHOOSE whether to view graphic material. Ironically, it comes down to choice. |
| Link to Article | http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/07/08/graphic-abortion-flyers-anger-neighbourhood---web-headline |
Keywords: abortion, Radical Handmaids, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, anti-choice, The Ottawa Sun, Ottawa, activism.
