The Abortion Caravan

Journalist and documentarian Wells debuts with the little-known story of the Abortion Caravan, a group of 17 Canadian women who set out in the spring of 1970 to “occupy” the prime minister’s front lawn in Ottawa and challenge abortion laws. Narrating her own book, Wells describes how the women—all white but otherwise from different socioeconomic classes and families—came together, riding in a caravan of three sturdy, but decidedly unglamorous, vehicles. The caravan included a Volkswagen van with a coffin on top, symbolizing the thousands of Canadian women who died each year from unsafe abortions; this van figured in nearly every photo of the historic journey. When officials refused to meet the caravan, the women were undaunted. They then went to Parliament Hill, leading a rally of 500 women, who chained themselves to chairs and shouted “Abortion on demand,” until the house was adjourned. Wells’s narration is suffused with humor, detailing the events and personalities with warmth. She excels in bringing out the multilayered voices of these lively, brave women, who fought hard to make their voices heard.

CORRECTION: This audiobook was published by Second Story, not ECW. LJ regrets the error.