On her MSNBC show Sunday, Melissa Harris-Perry introduced a new type of jewelry inspired by the recent protests at the Texas Capitol.
Tampon earrings.
“My producer Lorena made for me, last week, some tampon earrings,” Harris-Perry said as she inserted them into her pierced ears.
“Because, of course, you’ll remember the Texas state legislature said you could not bring tampons in when they were going, these women, to in fact stand up for their own reproductive rights. You weren’t allowed to, initially, to bring tampons,” she explained.
During debate this month on abortion restricting legislation in Texas, protestors descended on the Texas Capitol. Officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confiscated items that could have been thrown into the gallery, including tampons and pads.
Democratic State Sen. Kirk Watson called the practice “boneheaded” and “crazy,” telling the Associated Press that he was able to secure assurances from the DPS that it would stop.
“So just in case that ever happens again, ladies, you can just bring them on your earrings,” Harris-Perry said, going on to introduce the show’s next segment, donning on her ears what most women wear well out of sight.
During DPS bag inspections officers discovered a number of questionable items, including jars allegedly containing feces and urine, in addition to the feminine hygiene products.
“During these inspections, DPS officers have thus far discovered one jar suspected to contain urine, 18 jars suspected to contain feces, and three bottles suspected to contain paint. All of these items — as well as significant quantities of feminine hygiene products, glitter and confetti possessed by individuals — were required to be discarded; otherwise those individuals were denied entry into the gallery,” DPS described in a press release.
Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry signed the abortion bill into law on Thursday.
