Reproductive healthcare activists give Mardi Gras beads to legislators

Reproductive rights activists and volunteers offered legislators Mardi Gras beads in three colors; the color to be determined by where they stand on "Reproductive Freedom" and the 2018 Reproductive Health Care Act. Blue beads were for Justice. Green beads for Faith. Gold beads were for Power. The outreach went well, mostly. Good conversations were had with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi. Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello brushed off attempts to talk to him about the bill. Anti-choice lobbyists Barth Bracy from Rhode Island Right to Life and a lobbyist priest from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence hovered nearby, shoring up support with legislators approached by pro-choice advocates. [caption id="attachment_5148" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Representative David Bennett and Nancy Harris[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5147" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5146" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Joseph Shekarchi and Nancy Harris.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5145" align="aligncenter" width="600"] House Majority Leader Joseph Shekarchi leads Nancy Harris away from this reporter. That's the lobbyist for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence on the right.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5144" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Nicholas Mattiello engaged in a long discussion, not about reproductive rights.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5143" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Nicholas Mattiello engaged in a long discussion, not about reproductive rights.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5142" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Nicholas Mattiello engaged in a long discussion, not about reproductive rights.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5141" align="aligncenter" width="600"] "I have to start my session, I have a session to start," said Speaker Nicholas Mattiello when approached on the subject of reproductive rights.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5139" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The lobbyist for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence warmly greets Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.
[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5138" align="aligncenter" width="600"] House Finance Chair Marvin Abney talks with Rachel Jarosz.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5137" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, right[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5135" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Nancy Harris, Rachel Jarosz and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5151" align="aligncenter" width="598"] Nancy Harris[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5150" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Caroline Morgan Jackson[/caption]