Romney Protestors Allege Flip Flop, Governor Defends Contraception Bill Decision
By Cyndi Roy for the State House News Service
       Supporters of emergency contraception drew mixed reactions from passersby Monday morning during a protest to criticize Gov. Mitt Romney’s veto of legislation expanding access to the morning after-pill.
       “Want some information about a man who’s running for president?” one protestor from the Coalition for Choice asked a group of tourists.
       “He’s a good-looking guy,” one sightseer responded.
       “Our governor is Arnold Schwarzenegger,” another replied. But the dozen women gathered outside in “Mitt Romney broke his word” T-shirts were undeterred. “Flip-flop, flip-flop,” they chanted.
       “We’re out here to really educate the public about his inconsistencies,” said Alyson Potts, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. “He’s putting his national ambitions above the health and safety of Massachusetts citizens.”
Others stopped outside the capitol lent their backing to the group.
       “I know all about it and it has my full support,” one woman said as she rushed past.
       Truck drivers and other motorists sporadically beeped their horns, responding to signs that read, “Honk if you support emergency contraception.”
       The protestors, who had gathered in front of Romney’s office at 7:45 am to “welcome him back” after his two-week vacation, moved their gathering back indoors to demonstrate outside a press conference Romney was holding to urge companies to take advantage of a life sciences manufacturing tax credit.
       “Mitt Romney, you can’t hide. There will be an override,” they chanted outside the press conference. Asked about the protests, Romney said his position had not changed regarding the legislation and described New York Gov. George Pataki's
handling of a similar bill. Pataki vetoed similar legislation last week because of concerns that young women would have access to the pill.
While proponents of the bill say it prevents pregnancies, Romney says it can cause an abortion.
       "My signing this bill would be a clear violation of the promise I made during those debates and to the people of Massachusetts," Romney said, regarding his campaign promise not to change the state's abortion laws.
       "And for that reason, I could not sign it - plain and simple."  When asked further by a reporter if he has changed his position to appeal to conservative voters within the Republican Party, Romney said: "I'm doing exactly what I said I'd do during my campaign. And therefore there is not a change."
       It’s expected lawmakers, on break for the summer, will override the governor’s veto when they return this fall. In the meantime, advocates say they will continue to criticize the governor for what they say is a “complete flip-flop on women’s rights.”
       About 40 workers and volunteers from Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and the NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts will protest outside a fundraiser for Romney and Lt. Gov Kerry Healey Tuesday evening at the Colonnade Hotel. The group will be handing out fliers explaining their view of Romney’s decision.