Tester rallies for reproductive freedom

On Thursday evening, Senator Jon Tester (D), and Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, rallied for reproductive rights at the Bozeman Event Space.

This event, held on Sept. 5, came during Tester’s campaign for reelection to the U.S. Senate, an office he has held since 2006.

“Veterans for Tester,” “Native Americans for Tester,” “Women for Tester” and “Freedom is on the Ballot” signs covered the walls of the event space. Residents of Gallatin County, Hill County, Park County, Power River County and Sweetgrass County comprised the audience crowding around the stage. 

The event doubled as a rally for Tester and Constitutional Initiative 128 (CI-128), a ballot initiative proposed by Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights and initiative sponsor Sam Dickman in late 2023, according to the Montana Free Press.

According to the Montana Legislature, CI-128 “would amend the Montana Constitution to expressly provide a right to make and carry out decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion.” 

The ballot reads: “CI-128 prevents the government from penalizing patients, healthcare providers or anyone who assists someone in exercising their right to make and carry out voluntary decisions about their pregnancy.”

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an advocacy organization that provides information about reproductive health and rights. Johnson is also the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which provides healthcare to over 2 million people through 600 health centers across the U.S. each year. 

“I am here because I know that the path to freedom runs right through Montana,” Johnson said as she took the stage. “I am here because I know the path to freedom runs right through Jon Tester. I am here because he understands who needs to make decisions about our own bodies.”

“My vision, our vision, Jon Tester's vision is to make sure that abortion is not only unquestionable, it's undeniable and that our bodies are ungovernable,” Johnson said. 

After Johnson finished speaking, Tester took the stage.“I know why you guys are all here tonight,” he said. “Because of freedom. That's what's on the ballot. If there's one thing that makes you a Montanan, it's your love of freedom.”

In his speech, Tester expressed his belief that the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn “Roe v. Wade” was “the biggest reduction of freedom” he had seen in his lifetime. 

“We've got some things we can do about it,” Tester said. “You know what? Elections matter, don't they? We're going to go to the polls. We're going to make sure that initiative passes.”

As of the night of the rally, there were 61 days left until the general election. 

The general election will take place on Nov. 5. The MSU Student Wellness Center will have a drop box for absentee ballots open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day. Voters who are unsure if they have registered yet can check their registration status at https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx