Letter: Abortion Is Health Care

To the Editor:

Seventy percent of Americans support safe and legal abortions. Abortion is health care, and is a basic human right that has been protected by Roe for the past 50 years. Yet this right has been rescinded by six radical, ultraconservative Supreme Court judges, three of whom were appointed by a president who failed to win the popular vote.

Maybe that 70 percent got too complacent and took this right for granted. But the lesson is learned: No constitutional right is safe any longer. Many of us are outraged by the court's decision that does not even allow for abortion in cases of rape or incest.

But if we want our rights restored, outrage alone is not enough. We must do all we can to mobilize the vote for pro-choice Democratic candidates this November and in November of 2024 to keep Democrats in control of Congress and ensure that abortion rights are protected. If Republicans take back Congress in November, we face the dire prospect that they will enact a federal ban on abortion, criminalizing the procedure nationwide, and that other reproductive rights, such as access to contraception and the right to marry whom we choose, will be under attack.

In the meantime, if you want to join the fight, visit the Berkshire Brigades Facebook page.

Louise Farkas
Pittsfield, Mass.

Farkas is a member of the Berkshire Brigades steering committee. 

Third No Kings Rally Adds War in Iran to List of Grievances

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:24PM / Saturday, March 28, 2026

 

State Sen. Paul Mark was at four rallies on Saturday. He and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, both seen here in Pittsfield, said what they heard today will inspire them on Beacon Hill. . 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Even the frigid wind couldn't silence the voices of thousands of protestors across the county.  

 

In Pittsfield, more than 1,000 people were at the Common, wearing custom T-shirts, and costumes ranging from the Statue of Liberty to inflatable animals, or just holding signs condemning the President Donald Trump and his administration. 

 

This third "No Kings" rally, following on the protests last June and October, saw hundreds of thousands of Americans and others across the world take to the streets and the parks to oppose a growing list of actions made by the administration. 

 

This time, signs protesting the war against Iran joined others focusing on constitutional rights like voting and free speech, democracy, and protecting marginalized groups.

 

Activists, musicians, and some public officials attended the protest, including state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier in Pittsfield; state Rep. John Barrett III was in North Adams. None of the legislators spoke at the rallies. 

 

Farley-Bouvier said the people of Pittsfield were at the rally in resistance and joy — standing up together to say, "enough is enough."

 

Some days the role of a state representative is hard and days like this inspire and rejuvenate the drive to go back out there and fight another day, she said.