Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — Protesters spread anti-Hobby Lobby message in Burbank July 12, 2014
Protesters returned to the Hobby Lobby in Burbank yesterday to spread their message. The protesters are upset because Hobby Lobby won the right to opt out of providing certain female contraceptives in its employee health insurance plan for religious reasons. The decision was handed down last month by the U.S. Supreme Court in a close vote of 5-4. On Saturday, the protesters held-up signs condemning the ruling. Frequently, they were greeted with cheers and honking of horns from motorists. Some of the drivers, as well as others, stopped to ask questions.
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — Protest organizer Cheryl Holt explained the issue against Hobby Lobby to a Ralph Grocery store employee in Burbank July 12, 2014
A Ralph’s Grocery store employee on a bicycle rode up to organizer, Cheryl Holt, and asked about the protest. Holt explained the court ruling allows Hobby Lobby to refuse to pay for female contraceptives such as “I-U-Ds” and “morning-after” pills, but continue to provide insurance coverage for vasectomies.
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G –Protester and Burbank resident Tina McDermott explained the Hobby Lobby issue to a skateboarder in Burbank July 12, 2014
Protester and Burbank resident, Tina McDermott, was approached by a skateboarder who wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Many see the court decision as an attack on women’s rights and opening the flood gates for other companies to “cherry pick which parts they want” of Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act.
Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — Burbank resident Steve Frintner joined the protest against Hobby Lobby in Burbank July 12, 2014
Burbank resident and protester, Steve Frintner, who has a wife and 14 year-old daughter, says the high court ruling “… give(s) the power to a select group of rich people who can dictate to the rest of us” how to live. Frintner believes “other companies will try the same thing” as Hobby Lobby. College student and protester, Amanda Gould of Studio City, says birth control is “key to women’s success,” because it allows you to “have kids when you are ready.” Also, Gould points out the “I-U-D” is used for reasons other than birth control like to treat female problems such as fibroids.
Meanwhile, more protests are being planned.
