Chicago IL – On November 7, more than 30 activists from Students for a Democratic Society and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization gathered for a march at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Students demanded the administration open a reproductive health clinic on campus and provide free birth control for all students. The protest is part of an ongoing campaign by Students for a Democratic Society to demand the university do more to defend women’s and reproductive rights in the face of the mounting Republican attacks.
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors passed a “Resolution on Abortion Access” on September 22. The resolution passed overwhelmingly with 12 yes votes and two no votes. The resolution was originally drafted by County Board Supervisors Liz Sumner and Shawn Rolland. Additionally, the grassroots organization Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee (RJA-M) demanded an amendment be added so lawmakers at the state capitol in Madison receive a clear message from Milwaukee County.
Milwaukee, WI – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at UW-Milwaukee rallied on September 15 to make Milwaukee an abortion sanctuary. The demonstration was in response to the national SDS day of action call. Approximately 40 students and community members met in UWM’s Spaights Plaza at 4 p.m.
Chicago, IL – On September 7, 30 students marched at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to demand the administration open a reproductive health clinic on campus that is free for students and the community.
Minneapolis, MN – Chants of “When abortion rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” could be heard up and down Chicago Avenue and 41st Streets in South Minneapolis on Thursday, August 18, as 40 protesters gathered outside the Tandem Family Resource Center – one of Minnesota’s now-infamous “crisis pregnancy centers” – for a rally for women’s and reproductive rights. The action was organized by the newly formed Minnesota Abortion Action Coalition (MNAAC) to demand an end to state funding for Tandem and other “crisis pregnancy centers” like it.
Milwaukee, WI – On August 15, a brand-new grassroots organization, Reproductive Justice Action-Milwaukee, picketed outside the home of Milwaukee County District 6 Supervisor Shawn Rolland. This was in response to Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voting against putting an advisory referendum on Milwaukee County’s November ballot to overturn State Statute 940.04, which makes most abortions illegal in the state of Wisconsin.
Milwaukee, WI – On the afternoon of July 17, about 65 people gathered in downtown Milwaukee to protest in the streets for reproductive justice. This event was led by a brand new grassroots organization named Reproductive Justice Action-Milwaukee (RJAM). This organization arose shortly after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. As a result of the Supreme Court decision, Wisconsin’s State Statute 940.04 defaulted into law. This law is from 1849 and bans abortion unless the mother’s life is at risk. Performing an abortion can result in a Class H felony and a $10,000 fine.
New Orleans, LA – Demonstrators marched to the mayor of New Orleans’ house on July 8 and taped two copies of a letter to her porch columns. Police then enraged protesters by crumpling the demands up in a show of disrespect. The protest occurred on the evening after Orleans Civil District Court judge Ethel Simms Julien ended the temporary restraining order on the state’s anti-abortion trigger ban.
New Orleans, LA – On July 1, a group of 60 activists and community members marched to Mayor Latoya Cantrell's home demanding that she take action to defend reproductive rights. The speakers emphasized the need for New Orleans to bar Louisiana State Police from enforcing abortion bans.
Appleton, WI – On July 4, hundreds of community members gathered in downtown Appleton to make their voices heard in support of reproductive rights for all.
Grand Rapids, MI – On Tuesday, July 6, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization hosted a rally demanding Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker refuse to enforce Michigan's anti-abortion law passed in 1931. The event was held outside the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids.
Tallahassee, FL – On June 24, Florida State Students for a Democratic Society (FSU SDS) issued a call to action in response to the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade. “We have been preparing to take action on this decision for weeks. We have to be organized to stand up and fight back,” proclaimed a member of SDS. They joined more than 300 protesters at the Florida Historic Capitol to defend women’s and reproductive rights.
Los Angeles, CA – On June 30, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization-Los Angeles (FRSO-LA), along with Centro Community Service Organization (Centro CSO), rallied for reproductive rights in Boyle Heights. This event, held at Mariachi Plaza, was called as a response rally to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Young community members came out to listen to speakers from FRSO and Centro CSO who expressed how this decision will impact women, gender fluid people, and anyone who can become pregnant.
Tampa, FL – Over 250 people marched on July 2, in downtown Tampa from Curtis Hixon Park to City Hall in protest of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which overturned a person's constitutional right to an abortion as determined by Roe v. Wade. Speakers called it a slap in the face of all women and people who can get pregnant, taking to the streets with their demands. They demanded a reversal of this ruling and federal protections for women's rights, reproductive rights, and the right to get a safe, legal abortion.
Tampa, FL – On June 25, over 300 people gathered on the corner of a busy intersection near the University of South Florida to protest the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The crowd, led by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and the Tampa Bay Community Action Committee (TBCAC), march along the street and were met with strong support from commuters passing by.
Milwaukee, WI – On June 24, nearly 3000 people rallied in Dontre Hamilton (officially known as Red Arrow) Park to take back the right to abortion. Earlier that day, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to women’s and reproductive rights by overturning Roe v. Wade. This meant the ability to get a safe and legal abortion would now be determined by individual state governments.
Appleton, WI – On June 24, over 150 people answered an emergency call to action in regard to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case, which provided women federal protection for having an abortion. The event kicked off in Houdini Plaza, in the heart of Appleton's downtown district.
New Orleans, LA – On June 24 New Orleanians learned with the rest of the country that the Republican-dominated Supreme Court released its decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. This put into effect Louisiana’s trigger law, which bans all abortions, with no exceptions for rape or incest. This trigger law was signed in 2006 by Democrat Governor Kathleen Blanco, and it was updated on June 21 by Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards.
Chicago, IL – Approximately 7000 people rallied in Federal Plaza on the evening of Friday, June 24, to protest Dobbs v. Jackson, the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The crowd was composed of activists and supporters of diverse genders, nationalities and political tendencies united in their anger at the attack on reproductive rights, most prominently the right to an abortion.
Minneapolis, MN – 10,000 people gathered at 6 p.m. on June 24 outside the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota to condemn the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in their decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. Signs filled the air above the demonstrators, with posters declaring “We won’t go back” and “We won’t back down.”
