Jackson Free Press

Millsaps College student Destiny Everitte is donating 12 hours of her time today to hold a sign opposing Initiative 26 on the corner of State Street and Riverside Drive.

The 19-year-old religious studies major arrived to her post at 6:30 a.m. and will continue to stand on the corner waving her sign until the polls close at 7 p.m.

Everitte is a native of Brandon and member of The Pointe Methodist church in Brandon. She decided to get involved with campaigning against the initiative after doing research on it and concluding that it goes to far.

Today, voters will decide whether the state's Constitution should be amended to define a "person" to include eggs from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the function equivalent thereof.

"I don't think that religion has any place in politics," she said. "There is a difference between being religious and political and basing everything that the government does off of religion. ... I also think it's really backwards to be taking away rights from women."

Despite a few drivers yelling cruel remarks this morning, Everitte said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Brandon High School graduate said she is active in her church and values her faith. She has the words "John 5:1-5" tattooed on her foot to remind her of her favorite Bible verse. "It's a reminder everyday to stay on the right path and do what I want to do with my life," she said.

Everitte is a member of the Army National Guard, and she aspires to become a religious studies professor.

"I consider myself a religious person, and I think that you can be pro-life and vote no," she said. "This goes beyond abortion. This could affect birth control and in vitro."