Om Tattoo & Massage hosts ‘My Body My Choice’ event - NBC 29

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Tattoo shops across the country are hosting the My Body My Choice Tattoo Flash Event to help raise money for the National Network of Abortion Funds.

Om Tattoo & Massage in Charlottesville is participating, charging $100 for one of its artists’ designs as a part of this nationwide event.

“We can enlarge our community even more and bring awareness even more to the ones that are here and that want to be a part of protecting and helping people when they have to make a difficult decision like that,” Nakahili Womack, co-owner of Om Tattoo & Massage, said.

Womack says on of their closest neighbors is the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund, which is directly impacted by donations from NNAF.

“They came by and bought a bunch of swag and pamphlets, and and it was nice to kind of put a face to someone that actually does benefit from all of this,” Womack said.

“I’ve really been wanting to do something, specifically regarding the Roe reversal,” tattoo artist Emily Drayer said. “It’s really nice to come in, do a little bit of work and support a really great foundation.”

Drayer says that this event is an incredible way for people to show resilience.

“Body art has always, throughout history, been a way of showing our true values. So it’s one way for me personally to make a difference. I think it’s really fantastic that people are also receiving these tattoos and they are walking around in public saying, ‘Hey, we’re not going to stand for this,’” the artist said.

Niko Reikalas received a tattoo of a 1973 coat hanger.

“This isn’t just a women’s issue. This is a men’s issue, as well, and men can’t be silent about something like this. So I really wanted to support her and support all other women in our country in the world by participating in this event,” Reikalas said.

More than 100 tattoo shops across the country are taking part in this event.

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