Abortion access celebrated with ice cream social

Activists celebrated abortion access with ice cream on Friday at an ice cream social hosted byAbortion Access Now PEI to celebrate and pay tribute to the people whofought for reproductive rights on the Islandover the last three decades.

Organizer Colleen MacQuarrie has been involved in reproductive rights activism for more than 20 years. She said it's important to acknowledge past contributions.

"If we don't understand our history, we can't appreciate our future. And we can't ensure that we don't suffer similar kinds of losses."

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MacQuarrie said one of themain reason for the celebration was to thank Nasha Nijhawan and Kelly McMillan, two lawyers who worked on the legal case to challenge P.E.I.'s abortion laws.

While it was ultimately an evening of celebration, the decision to specifically host an ice cream social was no accident.

MacQuarrie said ice cream is a symbolic political tool.

"Often you'll see ice cream socials as something that politicians will do to thank their constituents," said MacQuarrie.

"Ice cream is also renowned within the Anne of Green Gables musical. There's a wonderful song where they proclaim the joys of ice cream and how wonderful it is," said MacQuarrie.

MacQuarrie said the social was well attended, and she was happy to see people there from all generations and walks of life.

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