Dallas, TX – On June 24, around 1000 people rallied at Civic Garden Park in downtown Dallas to protest the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This removes the right to legal and safe abortions in practically over half of the U.S. states. Here in Texas, one of the first states to pass the so-called “heartbeat bill,” abortion is now criminalized. Texas is threatening to charge women, and anyone else involved in an abortion, with murder.

Kawana Scott of the Dallas Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression emphasized the effect the U.S. Supreme Court decision will have on African American women. “Yes, we understand that this decision hurts all women, but we need to emphasize how it disproportionately effects the individuals who are most compromised in this situation,” stated Scott.

Jo Hargis with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke, “Who here works for a living? When people need to leave the country to access abortion, is that an option for workers? It's time to do more than voting!”

Protesters marched around downtown Dallas with a banner that read “Abortion on demand! Transition on demand!” Speakers called for unity of the common struggle of women and others seeking reproductive healthcare. Transgender people spoke for the right to transition, reminding the crowd that the same forces that oppose reproductive rights oppose transgender rights.

Chants during the march included “When women are under attack, what do we do! Stand up fight back!” and “Abortion is healthcare!”

The rally was hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Dallas National Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, Afiya Center, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and the Democratic Socialists of America.

#DallasTX #LGBTQ #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #DallasAllianceAgainstRacismAndPoliticalRepressionDAARPR

Syd Camille Loving, chair of DAARPR, started off the speeches at the rally, condemning the acquittal of Rittenhouse as political repression against the movement against police crimes, and discussing how the American judicial system systematically sides with racist murderers like Kyle Rittenhouse.

Kawana Scott of DAARPR speech addressed the bias of Judge Bruce Schroeder in favor of Kyle Rittenhouse, and the stark contrast between the treatment of Rittenhouse and Black young people who have been persecuted by the U.S. government. Scott also discussed the impact of the acquittal on the movement against police crimes, in allowing far-right vigilantes to target protesters, and called for the conviction of Rittenhouse, stating, “We as a country can do better and will do better as long as we stand together and make sure that everyone else understands that this does not fly by night.”

Andrew Velasquez of DAARPR spoke about how the American government sides with racist killers such as Rittenhouse, and how the courts protect them, and the role of movement against police violence in opposing them. “We standing here today know the truth, Kyle Rittenhouse is guilty, the state is guilty, we've known that anyone willing to protect these inhuman institutions is rewarded and in turn protected, and anyone who stands against those things is punished or repressed,” stated Velasquez.

Notable Dallas activist Olinka Green gave a passionate speech demanding an end to impunity for racist killers such as Kyle Rittenhouse and George Zimmerman. “This country was built off the torture and rape and lynching of people of other colors. This country was built off the rape and killing of women and children, its hands are bloody with the blood of the innocent, and so if you think we will get justice in the court system, you're wrong,” stated Green.

A few Trump supporters tried to disrupt the rally by heckling at the speakers and laughed while the murders of the protesters were being discussed, but they failed to disrupt the protest, and left in defeat.

#Dallas #KyleRittenhouse #JosephRosenbaumAndAnthonyHuber #DallasAllianceAgainstRacismAndPoliticalRepressionDAARPR