St. Paul, MN – On January 22, the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling, the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC) held a rally for reproductive justice near the Minnesota State Capitol. Pro-abortion, pro-bodily autonomy activists and community members gathered to renew their commitment to fighting for true reproductive justice beyond Roe.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade represents a loss to the reproductive justice movement. MNAAC activists explained that Roe itself was never enough. Although some abortions were made legal by the passage of Roe, it still allowed for gestational age restrictions, waiting periods, disinformation counseling sessions, and other restrictions.

MNAAC member Kristen Bledsoe described that the high cost of healthcare in America itself presents a barrier. “[Roe] still allowed for people to pay exorbitant amounts for this essential health care,” Kristen Bledsoe explained, “[Roe] still allowed for employers to choose whether they wanted insurance plans to cover abortion care, and to choose whether they’d allow sick leave to cover their employees’ appointments and recovery times. Even before the Dobbs decision, there were endless roadblocks for so many people who were trying to access abortion.”

Other groups organizing to enhance abortion access were in attendance. Omi Ifemi, a director at Our Justice, the country’s oldest abortion fund, explained that “Roe was the floor and not the ceiling.” Our Justice provides direct financial and logistical support for people seeking abortion care.

Alissa Washington of the Wrongfully Incarcerated and Over-Sentenced Families Council of Minnesota stated, “This is where we move from listening to action. Fight for people locked away in cages, targeted by ICE, or arrested for protesting. Freedom that excludes the most vulnerable is not freedom at all.”

Hayley Peterson, a board member at Pro-Choice Minnesota said, “Bodily autonomy of course includes access to abortion, but it also includes the ability to go to shops, work, places of worship, and anywhere else without fear of abduction.” Other speakers detailed the reproductive health effects of chemical weapons used by police and ICE to control crowds and the ways that ICE routinely denies access to menstrual health products for detained people.

Zara Anderson, a member of MNAAC, declared that “when we say reproductive justice, we mean the right and ability to have a child, to not have a child, and to parent our children in safe and healthy communities. That’s why we’re fighting to defend and expand women’s and reproductive rights, including full abortion access for all, and that’s why we’re here to demand ICE out of Minnesota.”

Manny Pascual, an organizer with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and a nurse by trade, demanded an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life.

Manny Pascual stated, “Reproductive justice and immigrant justice are connected. You can’t have bodily autonomy if people cannot walk into a hospital without fear. You cannot talk about choice if people are hunted for who they are or where they come from. A world where women and queer people are free must be a world where all bodies and people are respected.”

MNAAC is a grassroots, all-volunteer reproductive justice organization that fights for reproductive and trans rights including abortion access, bodily autonomy, and gender-affirming care. Originally formed as a coalition of groups after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, MNAAC maintains that any attempts to limit, ban, or prevent access to abortions are fundamentally attacks on bodily autonomy.

MNAAC organizes to disrupt groups like Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, which claims to be “Minnesota’s largest pro-life organization.” Historically, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life has taken January 22nd as a “day of mourning” due to the passage of Roe v. Wade. MNAAC reclaimed this day as a day of action and renewed commitment to fight for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy for all.

MNAAC continues to organize around abortion access, trans liberation and bodily autonomy for all, including incarcerated people and immigrants. Their next action is planned for March 8, International Women’s Day, where they will take to the streets to demand women’s and reproductive rights. You can follow MNAAC’s work on Instagram and Facebook.

Dan Michael Fielding is a member of the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC).

#StPaulMN #MN #WomensMovement #ReproductiveRights #Abortion #MNAAC #RoeVWade

Milwaukee, WI – Reproductive rights supporters took to the streets, Saturday, November 9. Roughly 300 people gathered to hear speeches and speak out against the outrageous abortion restrictions in Wisconsin and across the U.S. 

Rally emcee Carly Klein of the Reproductive Justice Action-Milwaukee stated, “Many of you are out here today because you are enraged, terrified and heartbroken by the results of the presidential election. Our hope is that you are able to mobilize these emotions into action and join us in the fight for abortion access and safe and sustainable communities.” 

The group marched to the steps of the federal courthouse to hear speeches and chants for reproductive freedom. They met with overwhelming support from the public, with people joining as they marched on and continued to grow in size. 

Even though an 1849 feticide bill interpretation is being heard by the Supreme Court as to whether or not it applies to abortion, Wisconsin law still bans abortion after viability (as determined by physician), requires mandatory in-person consultation, 24-hour mandatory waiting period, and bans telemedicine consultations for abortion care. This particularly impacts oppressed nationalities and people in rural areas where access to abortion is difficult. 

Blake Jones, chair of RJA-M addressed the crowd, stating, “Our bodily autonomy has always been on the table and used as a bargaining chip, for Democrats and Republicans. Here in Wisconsin, reproductive health is almost an afterthought. Yes, abortion services have resumed, but barriers are still at every corner.” She went on to describe how cost, availability and travel are all ways that can prevent someone from getting an abortion, stating, “Abortion is healthcare, it shouldn’t be this complicated to get medical care for yourself.”

Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee was formed, with the help of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, shortly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022. Since then, it has been a thriving grassroots organization, with wins such as getting a referendum sponsored by Milwaukee County Executives Martin, Clancy, and Martinez on the April 2023 ballot. The referendum, which read, “Should Wisconsin Statute 940.04, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy without exception for rape, incest, or health of the patient, be repealed to allow legal access to abortion care?” and it passed with 76.91% of the votes saying yes.

Since then, it’s been an uphill battle for abortion rights in Wisconsin; with abortion services being paused for a year after Roe v. Wade fell, and now only four clinics for the whole state. Klein went on to say, “The Trump administration and the reactionary Republican agenda is a threat to our bodily autonomy. However let us not forget that Roe fell under a Democratic presidency. Let us not forget that the Democrats had 50 years to codify abortion rights into law and failed us too.”

President Obama was asked about the Freedom of Choice Act in 2009. That act would have codified the right to: “bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect her life or her health,” into federal law. At that time, Obama said it “is not the highest legislative priority.”

Jones said, “As a Trump presidency comes on the horizon, now more than ever is the time to take control of your reproductive health, no matter what your future plans are,” adding, “We only have each other, and we must struggle for the intent of unity.”

#MilwaukeeWI #ReproRights #RoevWade #Trump #Abortion #MAARPR #ReproductiveJusticeActionMilwaukee #RJAM

Milwaukee, WI – On Friday, February 16, Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee (RJAM) held a press conference outside of Milwaukee City Hall to call on Wisconsin Assembly Leader Robin Vos to hold a public hearing for the Reproductive Freedom Act.

RJAM Chair Lauren Forbush started off the press conference with a chant, “When reproductive rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” 

“We are outside City Hall this morning to call attention to the Reproductive Freedom Act. The Reproductive Freedom Act would expand access to abortion services statewide,” Forbush said.

Isabella Gargi of RJAM was the first speaker for the press conference. “This legislation has three parts. The first part restores the power of individuals to make their own pregnancy health care decisions by removing medically unnecessary restrictions and bans on abortion care, and removes inappropriate political interference from the doctor-patient relationships. The second part affirms the obligation of health care providers to provide medically accurate information to patients and creates a right for patients to receive medically accurate information from their healthcare provider; and the third part ensures that publicly funded pregnancy counseling services provide all options counseling and services.”

Maya Seshan from Medical Students for Choice used her speaking time to highlight the need for a public hearing for the Reproductive Freedom Act. “Voters across Wisconsin have affirmed the need and right to be able to access abortion care! Restrictive abortion laws affect patients, healthcare providers, and medical workers.”

After voicing her support for the public hearing, she went on to explain how the previous abortion ban has impacted pregnant people with life-threatening complications during pregnancy. One of these conditions is preeclampsia, which causes life-threatening complications to the pregnant person during pregnancy, and if they continue with giving birth they can experience life-threatening conditions postpartum as well. Preeclampsia is only diagnosed at or after 20-weeks of gestation, while the current abortion restrictions in Wisconsin only allow abortion up to 21 weeks.

“Under current Wisconsin law, this condition cannot be treated safely. All healthcare professionals and patients will experience uncertainty until the Reproductive Freedom Act is codified into law,” Seshan said.

The next speaker was Tracey Schwertfeger, a registered nurse and leader with the Saint Francis Hospital chapter of Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals Local 5000. She spoke in favor of a public hearing for the Reproductive Freedom Act on behalf of labor activists in the medical field.

Schwertfeger stated, “Abortion access is access to healthcare and access to freedom. The denial of access is an undue burden on people, disproportionately affecting those who are already marginalized and facing socioeconomic challenges. Our duty as healthcare professionals is to advocate for equitable care ensuring that all people can exercise their right to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. By facilitating an open discussion on this matter, we have a democratic process that is for us, by us!”

The last speaker was Blake Jones of RJAM, who read off a statement from the authors of the Reproductive Freedom Act, Senator Kelda Roys and Representative Francesca Hong. The statement went on to reiterate the three components of the bill and emphasized, “A key piece is about ensuring Wisconsinites have access to evidence-based information to make the best decisions for themselves.”

To close out the press conference, Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee called on all Wisconsinites to demand Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to hold a public hearing for the Reproductive Freedom Act. Back in January, the Wisconsin Assembly on Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care held a public hearing for a proposed referendum that would enact a five-week abortion ban. These activists believe that if the committee held a public hearing for legislation to take away healthcare access, they must hold a public hearing for legislation to expand healthcare access.

You can help support this demand by participating in their call-in and email-in campaigns to demand the public hearing. Check out @reproductivejusticeaction on Instagram to find out more information about this ongoing campaign and RJAM’s fight to expand abortion access in Wisconsin.

#MilwaukeeWI #ReproductiveJustice #AbortionRights #AbortionAccess #RoevWade #WomensLiberation #ReproductiveFreedomAct

Minneapolis, MN – On Tuesday, October 16, a group of students and community members rallied on the steps of Northrop Hall at University of Minnesota. They were there to protest U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the annual donor-funded Law School public lecture.

The rally was covered by over a dozen local and national news outlets. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at UMN and the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC) jointly organized the rally, where at least 250 people mobilized in support of abortion access, affirmative action, and the rights of marginalized peoples.

Justice Barrett is a key figure in the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority and played an instrumental role in striking down Roe v. Wade (1973) in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022). Roe v. Wade was a longstanding precedent for the Supreme Court which protected the constitutional right to an abortion. Since the Dobbs decision, 13 states have banned abortions, and many others imposed client and/or provider restrictions on abortions, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Abortion rights movements in the Twin Cities, especially MNAAC, are currently in the struggle to expand legitimate abortion clinics and shut down the nearly 90 illegitimate “crisis pregnancy centers” across Minnesota.

Barrett also voted with conservative justices to strike down affirmative action in SFFA v. Harvard (2023) and SFFA v. UNC (2023). Student movements in the 1960s and ‘70s called for affirmative action in efforts to increase Black and brown enrollment in U.S. universities. Though legal decisions have debated what affirmative action can look like, affirmative action remains an important tool to increase diversity in higher education. Alongside attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion in states like Florida, Texas and Louisiana, where SDS chapters are currently engaging in struggles against university administrations, the SFFA decisions are certain to make higher education for Black and brown students even less accessible.

Florida members of SDS, the Tampa 5, were arrested on felony charges and are being put on trial for protesting similar attacks on education by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Rally speaker Maggie Moynihan of MNAAC spoke about the contradictions the UMN presents when they invite a Supreme Court justice with a track record of harming women and students of color. “As a white-majority school, the University of Minnesota has an especially important duty to provide its marginalized students with a diverse and inclusive educational experience,” said Moynihan. “Amy Coney Barrett is a threat to all working-class and marginalized people in the United States and the university administrators have invited this threat to spread her hateful ideology to students on this campus. The message this decision sends is clear. The university does not value the safety of the women, people of color, immigrants, or queer people on this campus.”

Speaker Bryce Riesner of SDS reminded the UMN administration that when they invited Barrett to campus, they had invited “a representative of bigotry.” Speaking against the fallacy of “free speech,’”Riesner pointed out that the university has the power to draw the line at hate and intolerance. “I have so many conservative family and friends who have no hatred in their heart for anyone. [Barrett] does not represent them,” said Riesner. “Her fundamentalist beliefs are not conservative. What she practices in her home is her business, but when she takes a seat as a Supreme Court justice, her beliefs affect all of us!”

During the rally, a handful of experienced UMN SDS members disrupted Barrett’s lecture inside Northrop Hall, where over 1500 attendees sat. Video of the interaction posted to the chapter’s @umnsds Instagram account shows protesters chanting “Not the court! Not the state! The people must decide their fate!” and “When affirmative action is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”

In their rally speech, Sasmit Rahman recounted the experience of being removed from the lecture, stating that the removal was a cowardly act by Barrett, who apparently refused to acknowledge the protesters. “You’re so comfortable stripping us of our rights,” Rahman said of Barrett, “but too scared to face the consequences of your bigoted decisions! Shame on you Amy, you fucking coward!”

Over a dozen rally speakers represented progressive grassroots organizations across the Twin Cities. These organizations include the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, Young Democratic Socialists of America, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar, Students for Climate Justice, Anti-War Committee, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and local trade unions.

Progressive organizations agree that giving Barrett a platform is a disgrace to the UMN and that we must fight back.

Abortion is a human right!

Defend affirmative action and queer rights!

No to Amy Coney Barrett!

#MinneapolisMN #Minneapolis #AmyConeyBarrett #SDS #MNAAC #UMN #ReproductiveJustice #Abortion #SupremeCourt #AffirmativeAction #RoevWade

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following joint call to action from the Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee and the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee.

Since the summer of 2022, the fight for reproductive rights has been front and center in the people’s movements, as the Supreme Court has demonstrated that long held protections and fundamental human rights can be stripped from the masses quickly and without remorse. The overturning of Roe vs. Wade on June 24, 2022 effectively revoked federal protections for a person’s right to an abortion, meaning that states with conservative majorities across the country have been able to pass drastic abortion bans and restrictions. This is an attack on the women’s and reproductive rights movement which has fought long and hard for these freedoms, as well as an attack on accessible healthcare for all, and on the working class in general.

Birth control and the ability to terminate a pregnancy are basic forms of bodily autonomy. The overturning of Roe has reminded us that victories for bodily autonomy come from struggle, as people marched in the thousands last summer across the United States and continue to do so, and that the fight against the Christian Right is far from over. A recent battle over the F.D.A. approval of Mifepristone, a drug used in over half of U.S. abortions and which many people rely on when receiving an abortion at home or by mail, has demonstrated the effectiveness of grassroots struggle in fighting back against the anti-abortion agenda.

On April 15, 2023 activists and supporters in Milwaukee heeded the call of Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee (RJAM) to gather in protest outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse in opposition to the attacks against Mifepristone. This was only one of many protests to occur for the National Call to Action, since news broke of a decision by Matthew Kacsmaryk, a U.S. District judge based out of Amarillo, Texas, to suspend the F.D.A. approval of the medication. The fight to save access to Mifepristone was yet another hurdle in the broader struggle for bodily autonomy in Wisconsin where assisting, receiving and providing abortions is currently a felony charge due to State Statute 940.04. RJAM has been fighting for abortion access since the reinstatement of the nearly 200-year old law. The grassroots movement led by RJAM has taken many steps forward in the fight against the abortion ban. Some achievements include having a resolution passed by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors stating that they do not agree with the current state laws, and having an advisory referendum on this most recent spring ballot that showed 76% of Milwaukee County voters wanted access to safe and legal abortion. Their fight to make Milwaukee an abortion sanctuary continues through two on-going initiatives. The first is forcing Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chishlom to sign a pledge stating he will dismiss all abortion cases, and the second is to win funding for Milwaukee County Employees’ travel expenses accrued from needing to receive abortion services out of state.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, activists in the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee (MNAAC) simultaneously answered the call to defend Mifepristone with an emergency protest outside of Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office. With Minnesota acting as a sanctuary state for abortion in the upper Midwest, organizing efforts have focused on making abortion as accessible as possible, so that Minnesotans, as well as individuals from surrounding states where abortion is illegal, such as Wisconsin, can receive the reproductive healthcare they deserve. By calling this action and advocating for the protection of Mifepristone and medication abortion, the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee demonstrated their solidarity with the fight for abortion access nationwide. This spirit of solidarity in Minnesota has been consistent from the initial Dobbs decision and the overturning of Roe, when protesters in Minneapolis took to the streets by the thousands to defend reproductive rights, even if those rights were not under immediate attack in their state. The Minnesota Abortion Action Committee, as well as other reproductive justice forces, have translated that mass mobilization into campaigns for strengthening the legalization of abortion in Minnesota, creating protections for abortion providers, and terminating the state funding of predatory anti-abortion centers or “Crisis Pregnancy Centers”. It is a direct result of this organizing and mass protest that abortion rights are now stronger than ever in Minnesota. Even so, the Minnesota Abortion Action Committee continues to demand more of those in power— more clinics, more funding, more restrictions on institutions operated by the Christian Right to deny individuals information and decision making power about their pregnancies— because the stronger women’s and reproductive rights are in Minnesota, the more people in the Midwest can access reproductive healthcare.

It is grassroots efforts, just like Reproductive Justice Actions – Milwaukee’s and MN Abortion Action Committee, that has shown politicians across the country that the people want access to safe and legal abortion and they want it now! As history has shown us, we cannot trust politicians to protect our fight for bodily autonomy no matter what side they are on. They have failed us, they had 50 years to create solid laws around legal abortion and now we are left scrambling. It will take more than politicians to save us, we have to continue to show up in these streets and demand our voices be heard. It is the power of the people who advocated for our reproductive rights in the first place and we will do it again.

Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee is calling on the people and activists around the country to mobilize on June 24, the day that marks a year since the overturning of Roe. They are calling for a National Day of Action in the hopes of mobilizing women and others to continue the process of building a nationwide grassroots movement to restore national abortion access. The demands of this day of action include: reinstate Roe v. Wade and codify abortion access, federal funding for reproductive health and women's health, and public access to contraceptives and menstrual products for all.

Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee will be hosting their event on June 24th at 12:00pm at Dontre Hamilton/Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Join MN Abortion Action Committee at their event on June 24th at 1pm, located at Humphrey Circle in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We’ve seen the effort it took to get Roe established, but Roe is the floor when it comes to the possibilities of what reproductive healthcare can be. We must build a better and more sustainable system for our communities. With a nationwide grassroots movement we can continue to fight back and achieve nationwide legal abortion access on demand!

#UnitedStates #RoeVWade #AbortionRights

Baton Rouge, LA – A crowd of about 100 people gathered on Sunday, January 22, at Galvez Plaza in front of Louisiana's Old State Capitol building in Baton Rouge to march on the current capitol building in protest of Louisiana's abortion ban.

Although the streets were mostly empty on the quiet Sunday afternoon, marchers refused to go unnoticed, holding signs and chanting. Organizers yelled through megaphones, “When abortion rights are under attack, what do we do?” The crowd roared in response, “Stand up! Fight back!”

Nancy Davis organized the march, with support from women's rights groups including the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood, and Real Name Campaign.

Davis' personal story became national news last summer when she had to travel to New York state for an abortion. Her doctors determined her pregnancy was unviable due to acrania, a condition where a fetus' skull and brain would never form. Under Louisiana law, abortion is only legal if doctors determine the mother's life is at risk. “I was forced to carry my baby to bury my baby,” she would later say on the steps of the capitol, holding back tears.

Once at the capitol building, capitol security flanked the protesters. Speakers made impassioned speeches, asked the crowd to donate to their nonprofits, and urged everyone to vote for Democratic candidates. Few of speakers mentioned abortion rights as a working-class issue, if at all. For example, Democrat State Senator Royce Duplessis told the crowd, “I will fight for affordable healthcare and a fair day’s wage for a fair day's work.”

The final speaker, Serena Sojic-Borne of Real Name Campaign, pushed back against the senator's vague promises. “We have to demand concrete policies from politicians, even if it means taking to the streets. We have to drag them kicking and screaming over the coals if that's what it takes!” she shouted. Her words stirred the crowd to cheers and applause, to the senator's dismay.

#BatonRougeLA #RoeVWade #reproductiveFreedom #AbortionRights

Tampa, FL – On Sunday, January 22, a coalition of Tampa activist groups led a 150-person march across downtown for reproductive rights. The 50th anniversary of of Roe v. Wade became a nationwide day of action rather than a day of celebration due to the Supreme Court overturning nationwide abortion rights last June.

“It was great to partner with some wonderful organizations to get folks out here on the 50th anniversary of Roe. To really make a statement and let our elected officials know that we’re not going to sit back quietly while they strip us of our reproductive freedoms,” said Heather St. Amand, west central Florida regional director of For Our Future Florida and an organizer of the march.

In addition to the overturning of Roe last year, Florida had a 15-week abortion ban signed into law. The ban has no exceptions for rape or incest. Despite this ban, those in southern states where abortion is illegal travel to Florida for access. Protecting the right to abortion in Florida will affect the south as a whole.

After  speeches from a variety of groups, protesters marched across downtown Tampa, chanting, “Not the church, not the state! People must decide their fate!” and “When abortion access is under attack, what do we do? Act up, fight back!”

More attacks on abortion in Florida are likely this year. Despite a legal appeal that suspended the 15-week abortion ban, Governor Ron Desantis overturned the court order less than a week later. When State Attorney Andrew Warren spoke against enforcing abortion bans, the Desantis administration removed him from office and appointed a Republican state attorney. A U.S. district judge  this January ruled Warren’s removal was illegal but is unable to enforce the decision because of jurisdictional issues.

Florida’s next legislative session begins in March. With a right-wing majority in the state after the 2022 midterms, the pressure from activists is needed to keep abortion legal.

St. Amand said they “will be getting folks engaged by directing them to the different groups that are heading up to Tallahassee to speak to legislators about this.”

Fifty years after Roe v. Wade, the fight to protect abortion continues. It’s a struggle that has not been forgotten since the Supreme Court decision.

#TampaFL #RoeVWade #reproductiveFreedom #AbortionRights

Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of January 18, Reproductive Justice Action – Milwaukee (RJA-M) held a press conference and small rally outside of the Milwaukee County Safety Building. This press conference called on Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm, to sign a pledge that echoes the promise he made in June of last year, after the fall of Roe v. Wade. It states that neither he nor his office will prosecute anyone under State Statute 940.04, which is an 1849 abortion ban that targets abortion providers.

RJA-M demands that DA Chisholm hold up his promise to his community and send the signed pledge back to them ASAP. “We intend to deliver this signed pledge to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, along with a community petition demanding the police adopt a standard operating procedure that truly does protect and serve our community, by refusing to investigate or arrest individuals under, or otherwise indulge, this outdated piece of legislation,” stated RJA-M Chair Lauren Forbush.

RJA-M plans to stay attentive to this call to action and will continue to hold actions to pressure the district attorney until the pledge is signed.

#MilwaukeeWI #RoeVWade #reproductiveFreedom #AbortionRights

The campaign to vote Yes on Proposal 3 also boosted voter turnout for the Democratic Party on November 8. On November 9 it was announced that the Democratic Party won both the Michigan House and Senate, as well as re-elected Democrats to all the top spots, led by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The last time Democrats held power like this was 1984.

It was ultimately grassroots organizing and door-knocking that provided a road to victory on reproductive healthcare during this voting cycle. Across the state more than a dozen members and friends of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization canvassed for abortion rights. They educated and talked to working people using the Reproductive Freedom for All literature, a partnership of the ACLU of Michigan, Michigan Voices, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.

In Grand Rapids, doorknockers blanketed all three wards over six Saturdays, speaking with hundreds of registered voters. As volunteers they answered questions about reproductive rights and the ridiculous right-wing attack ads. Many people they spoke with said they were voting for Proposal 3 and the Democratic Party, but also expressed disappointment, and sometimes anger with the national Democrats.

“As a FRSO member it is important to help with causes that are good for workers and connect us face to face, to hear and discuss their needs and concerns,” explained Mike DeRuiter, who canvassed for Proposal 3.

Proposal 3 was on the ballot in Michigan’s November 8 midterm elections because of the most successful petition drive ever performed in the state. More than 730,000 voters signed forms to put the question of legalized abortion on the ballot. Voters were eager to keep the reproductive rights fought for in the past.

This came after the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June. This new ruling declared that the constitutional right to abortion was no longer in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. It caused a chain reaction of loss of reproductive rights across the nation. According to the New York Times, “Most abortions are banned within at least 13 states.”

Right-wing opposition groups, especially the Catholic Church, also organized against Proposal 3, using deceitful tactics and unclear wording to undermine and confuse voters going into the midterms. Ad campaigns produced by these opposition groups present Proposal 3 as an extremist affront.

“The reactionaries don’t make sense. Everyone I talked to while canvassing thought that Proposal 3 was neither confusing, nor extreme, when we actually talked to them about it,” said Cherie Stoll who canvassed with FRSO.

Proposal 3 is simply an amendment to the Michigan Constitution. It promises to grant citizens of Michigan the same level of availability to abortion services they had with the 1970 Roe v. Wade decision. However, it does not ensure access to reproductive healthcare for poor women and LGBTQ people. It avoids funding for Black, Latino, American Indian and immigrants whose access to expensive medical procedures may be limited. Given the backwards abortion laws in neighboring Indiana, it means Michigan will see people coming over the border.

With seemingly settled issues such as abortion rights being attacked by the Republicans, it means there is still a long way to go in the fight for reproductive freedom.

#GrandRapidsMichigan #GrandRapidsMI #abortion #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights

Minneapolis, MN – On October 7, over 40 students and community members gathered at Morrill Hall at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to demand that the university administration take action to expand abortion access on campus. The crowd marched down Washington Avenue before arriving at Moos Tower, where the University of Minnesota medical school is located.

The action was organized by the UMN chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, who have been organizing around women and reproductive rights on the University of Minnesota campus, as well as the Twin Cities area more generally, since the overturn of Roe v. Wade earlier this year.

SDS presented several demands, including a newly updated reproductive health training module for incoming freshman, a well-funded center for reproductive health resources and an abortion clinic on every University of Minnesota campus, and for the university to cease business with states that ban abortion.

Sophomore Olivia Sepich, an SDS member, presented the demands and was the first to speak in front of Morrill Hall. She reminded attendants, “The most important thing we have is each other and the communities that we build.” Other speakers in the first half of the protest included Aarushi Sen representing Students for Climate Justice and Olivia Crull representing the new-formed Minnesota Abortion Action Coalition.

Speakers called attention to the barriers and fake “clinics” in place in the state of Minnesota that prevent people from seeking reliable healthcare. Olivia Crull, a member of Minnesota Abortion Action Coalition (MNAAC), raised that there are only eight abortion clinics in Minnesota, while there remain 90 crisis pregnancy centers, which are centers that attempt to dissuade patients from getting abortions and provide faulty resources like “abortion reversal pills.” These clinics receive funding from the state government, despite the fact that Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, has repeatedly proclaimed his support for abortion rights, reflecting a contradiction between his words and his actions.

As the crowd chanted and marched down Washington Avenue to the attention of onlookers at the nearby Green Line stop, protesters gathered in front of Moos Tower to listen to the final speakers. Some people stopped their commute down the street to listen to representatives of different organizations, like Cherrene Horazuk of AFSCME 3800, the clerical workers’ union at UMN, and Siobhan Moore of SDS and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

Sorcha Lona, another SDS member, closed out the protest by stressing the importance of more abortion clinics, and that restrictions to this access are a “shameful violation of bodily autonomy.” She continued, “We call on the administration of the University of Minnesota to do something about the scarcity of viable options for abortion. As an entity that holds so much power and influence throughout the state, the U has a responsibility to take care of its own community members.” With these statements, along with its unyielding community support, it is clear that SDS will make its presence known until their demands are met.

#MinneapolisMN #StudentsForADemocraticSocietyUOfMN #RoeVWade #AbortionRights

Arlington, TX – On September 7, the Progressive Student Union held a rally here to speak out against the reversal of Roe v. Wade, as part of a wider national day of action called by Students for a Democratic Society.

Texas is one of the few states that has nearly banned abortion outright via its “trigger law” from 2019, but there are exceptions for the mother’s life being in danger. Given this reality PSU organized the rally to call upon new University of Texas at Arlington President Jennifer Evans-Cowley to protect abortion on the UTA campus. This sentiment was echoed by many students over the course of planning and building up for the rally, and PSU invited community organizations to speak on abortion rights, such as the Afiya Center. Over 70 students came to protest the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and demanded that UTA provide legal abortions on campus, be more transparent about pill access on campus, and make a public statement concerning the enshrining the protection of abortion rights on campus.

As students rallied, there was an attempted disruption by the local “pro-life” organization on campus as well as the local Turning Point USA – fresh from their controversy involving bigots being in student government. They attempted to harass and prevent PSU members from speaking on why abortion rights are healthcare rights – but the crowd shut them down by demanding “Let them speak!” Once again, the student body at UTA showed that bigotry or right-wing reactionaries have no place on campus.

Maria Pettites spoke on behalf of the Afiya Center and the work they do to continue to both help provide for abortions in Texas, as well as continue to defend the right to abortion in Dallas. Another PSU speaker spoke specifically on how their own sibling had to get an abortion in order to continue their college career, and that these latest restrictions on abortion rights will have a compounding effect on students as well as women in general.

Students especially identified with the message that the Supreme Court – an institution that very rarely suffers from the reversal of rights it imposes – has rolled us back to an era we will not go back to, and that the only way forward, truly, is to build a movement to fight for our rights.

#ArlingtonTX #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #PeoplesStruggles #RoeVWade #ProgressiveStudentUnion #AbortionRights

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.

“Shawn Rolland is one of the supervisors who voted against the referendum despite his pro-choice stance. Rolland’s decision to vote no, not only on something he claims to support so heavily, but on something that also affects pregnant people all over the state of Wisconsin is massively disappointing,” said Lauren Forbush, a member with RJA-M.

“To deprive the people of their right to vote for basic human rights due to the assumption and lack of effort to make us heard is ludicrous and this decision will not be forgotten by the public and RJA-M,” Forbush continued.

The protesters chanted outside of Rolland's house for over an hour, shouting “You worry about the cost, we worry about our lives!”, “Abortion is our right, we won’t give up this fight!” and “Use your voice for better! Dear Shawn! Use your vote for better!”

Rolland claims he is “strongly pro-choice” but voted no on the advisory referendum due to “concerns” about the $18,000 cost and also feels that Madison doesn’t care what Milwaukee residents have to say. He also believes that “they could be moved by ballot measures or advocacy efforts led by their own constituents or by business owners who are in their areas,” and to him “this seems like a lot of time, money, and effort we spend on this county, and ultimately, to what end?”

The message RJA-M is sending to Rolland, and the entire board of supervisors, is that a resolution be drafted and passed for Milwaukee County to become a safe haven for abortion access. They know this is possible due to Dane County’s resolution that was passed in May, protecting abortion for Dane County residents. RJA-M also demands that law enforcement within Milwaukee County shall refuse to apprehend any provider for performing abortion care, and that the district attorney’s office will dismiss all charges against any provider who performs abortion services.

This is an urgent matter and lives are at risk. People will die due to a lack of abortion services in Wisconsin. Reproductive Justice Action-Milwaukee is dedicated to making sure that the six Milwaukee County supervisors who voted no on this referendum will be held accountable for their action of denying the people of Milwaukee County their basic human rights.

#MilwaukeeWI #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights #ReproductiveJusticeActionMilwaukeeRJAM

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.

“We cannot and we will not go back. In 1849, when the Wisconsin abortion ban was written into law, women didn’t have the right to vote. Black men did not have the right to vote. Neither had the right to own property,” said Hayley McNeil, a member of RJAM. “Statute 940.04 is archaic and does not serve the needs of the people of Wisconsin. Statewide, we demand that 940.04 be repealed!”

This march was RJAM’s first event. Right now, RJAM’s main focus is abortion access. To this end, they have started a petition to the Milwaukee County board of supervisors to make the area an abortion sanctuary. The petition demands that patients and providers within Milwaukee County won’t be punished for having or performing an abortion. RJAM is demanding that change needs to happen now and not in November when 940.04 is on the ballot in Milwaukee County.

“The 1% wants us to keep having children. They wanna strip away our rights to our own bodies,” exclaimed Lana Akindes representing Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “The people most affected by the repeal of Roe v. Wade are the working class, people who do not have the time, the money, the means to travel to get an abortion in another state. The people most affected are Black, brown and indingenous folks! We’ve had our bodies abused, controlled, sterilized and forced to give birth for hundreds of years.”

The bottom line is banning abortion only leads to more unsafe abortions. Right now, in Wisconsin there are people suffering. This is why RJAM is determined to make Milwaukee County a safe haven for abortion access. Any person within the state of Wisconsin should be able to have access to safe and legal abortion. When the demands in the petition are won, any person within Wisconsin would be able to come to Milwaukee County to receive an abortion without the fear of being prosecuted under State Statue 940.04. The hope is to make abortion safe and legal for all for Wisconsinites.

#MilwaukeeWI #abortion #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights

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.

Under the banner of “Defend the Right to Abortion” about 40 people rallied for their demand that Mayor Latoya Cantrell use her authority to remove Louisiana State Police from the city. The state police have made it clear they will enforce the state’s abortion ban once it is in effect, while the local district attorney, police department, sheriff and city council have all made statements that they will not support enforcement.

The demonstration aims to protect those in the New Orleans Area left vulnerable after the unelected Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade’s 1973 precedent preventing state laws banning abortion within the first and second trimesters.

At the start of the rally, under the watch of an outnumbered detachment of motorcycle police, the crowd booed Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. That morning, Landry defended Louisiana’s trigger ban in court, and he successfully pushed to halt the temporary restraining order on the law. The crowd chanted “racist, sexist, anti-gay, Jeff Landry go away!” Cheers went out when Serena Sojic-Borne, speaking on behalf of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), said the authorities “have decided to try the case of the trigger law in East Baton Rouge” which “proves the anti-abortion forces are afraid of us” in New Orleans.

Other speakers explained the need for action by the mayor. An activist speaking on behalf of New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police reminded the rally that “Even if the NOPD is told not to act against abortion by city officials, the Louisiana state police is outside of their purview. The city council, the sheriff, the other officials have no power over the state police. The only person in the city that can direct the state police is Mayor Cantrell, for this reason this coalition is out here demanding that mayor Cantrell get the state police out of New Orleans.”

Those who rallied then marched to Mayor Cantrell’s house, reiterated their demands and then taped up two paper copies, just as had been done the week before. After the demands were posted, NOPD officers escorted the mayor’s husband to the door where they made a show of removing the papers and crumpling them up while he entered. This added new life to the demonstrators who chanted “Hey hey, ho ho, LSP has got to go” and were later quoted as finding the disrespect “disgusting.”

A coalition called the action, and it included the Real Name Campaign, FRSO, New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police, Communist Party USA, DSA, Green Party, Southern Workers Assembly, and Party for Socialism and Liberation. The event was a follow-through with the coalition’s promise to return to the mayor’s house after marching on it the week before. The coalition has resolved to continue to place pressure on the mayor to oppose the effects of the abortion ban and of the racist police forces.

#NewOrleansLA #abortion #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights

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.

The march began at a busy intersection, then made its way onto the mayor’s street, where demonstrators yelled chants against the state police. Demonstrators say that they not only oppose the presence of the state troopers in New Orleans because of their role in enforcing the abortion trigger ban, but also because they are also currently under an investigation by the Department of Justice for their racist practices.

The protesters left lawn signs that read “Mayor Cantrell, Louisiana State Police must go!” and taped a letter with their demands to a porch column.

This demonstration came after a three-day phone zap and a march one week earlier where 4000 demonstrators marched to city hall with demands to defeat the abortion bans.

#NewOrleansLA #abortion #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights

What started earlier in the week as two separate events converged into one mass gathering of people who are stirred to action in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in Jackson v. Dobbs on June 24, which erased the 50 years of affirmed federal protection for access to safe, legal abortion.

Concerned community individuals were supported by members of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), Food Not Bombs-Fox Valley (FNBFV), United Action Oshkosh (UAO) and Hope Fridge as they worked to organize hundreds of people starting at Houdini Plaza downtown. From there the masses mobilized, moving to nearby Jones Park, where a sound system had been assembled. The local community members spoke to the energized crowd, sharing personal stories of how this court ruling can and did affect them.

Even as the skies darkened and a downpour drenched people, the crowd remained steadfast and enthusiastic as the speeches continued. Speakers from the Hope Fridge, FRSO and UAO made their voices heard as they gave messages of solidarity and the need to unite all working people. The crowd responded to the speakers with growing enthusiasm, shouting affirmation at the message of unity. The speakers led the crowd in chanting, and laid out their common goals, with demands made to those in power in the area.

“Nobody should be prosecuted for essential medical care. Wisconsin’s abortion ban is outdated and archaic and leaves the people of our communities without protection. We expect government officials to act in the best interest of all the people,” said FRSO member Ashley Schneider, who spoke at the event.

The people of Appleton and surrounding areas have made demands of local county boards to adopt non-enforcement resolutions in the face of Wisconsin Statute 940.04, the 1849 anti-abortion law that triggered into effect with the Dobbs decision.

In addition to that, the speakers also called for the Appleton Police Department to be held accountable for their apathetic response to the hit-and-run vehicular assault that occurred at a rally earlier last week. A man drove through a red traffic light and struck a community member who was legally in the crosswalk at an event on June 27. After identifying the man who committed the act, it was discovered there was only a citation given for running the traffic signal. Further investigation shows a familial connection for the suspect to both the city of Appleton as well as the APD itself. The people demanded a response from both the APD and Mayor Jake Woodford, who had been presented with video evidence of the attack at a meeting of FRSO and community members on June 29.

The afternoon continued after the speeches with the throngs of people marching back to downtown Appleton from Jones Park, where the gathered people made their collective voices heard to the downtown scene and July 4 traffic.

#AppletonWI #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights #Dobbs

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.

“This decision revokes a 50-year-long protection of the right to privacy and abortion, but also empower conservatives to continue their attacks,” asserted Zeke Greenwood, President of FSU SDS.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade is just one of many recent attacks on women and trans people. These attacks come as inflation is hitting 40-year highs and food prices are skyrocketing.

Val Beron, member of Tallahassee Community Action Committee (TCAC), questioned how the government can “expect us to give birth to children if we can barely keep a roof over our heads.” Other rights, like the right to same-sex marriage, are on the chopping block. This is a coordinated attack by the right wing to roll back the progress people have fought and won.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has national implications, especially for states who have enacted abortion bans. In Florida, the state legislature recently passed HB5, a law that would ban abortions after 15 weeks, regardless of rape or incest. This bill passed the extremely conservative state legislature swiftly but not without push back.

On February 17, Florida chapters of Students for a Democratic Society interrupted the full House proceedings of HB5, leading to a mass trespassing of the students. This kind of state repression has not, and will not, stop the people from rising up and demanding reproductive rights for all. Engaging in direct action and supporting abortion funds like the Florida Access Network are both important. In the words of Delilah Pierre, district organizer of Tallahassee Freedom Road Socialist Organization and president of TCAC, “voting is not going to solve every one of our problems.”

Groups like the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, Planned Parenthood, FAMU and FSU Generation Action, Tallahassee Freedom Road Socialist Organization , and the Tallahassee Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) all joined the June 24 protest.

The National Students for a Democratic Society delivered a call to action to all “students, and people overall across the country, to take to the streets and protest.” FSU SDS will continue the struggle to defend women’s and reproductive rights no matter what. We must not back down!

Dare to struggle! Dare to win!

#TallahasseeFL #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights

Milwaukee, WI – In the calm before the storms hitting Milwaukee on July 4, over 1000 protested around the following six demands: True separation of church and state; repeal of Wisconsin State Statute 940.04; law enforcement shall not enforce abortion bans; the state of Wisconsin shall require law enforcement officials to read off Miranda Rights to those being detained; the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County shall not prosecute abortion cases – dismiss them all; and community control of the police now.

The protest was led by Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee.

“Oppressed people have never been free! Workers have never been free! And we can’t expect politicians or Supreme Court justices to hand us freedom,” said Rory Donovan of FRSO.

This sentiment was echoed by Lauryn Cross, co-chair of the Milwaukee Alliance, who told an attentive audience about the importance of recognizing “that when the Democrats, Republicans and people that are supposed to be ‘about us’ fucking fail, we check them with militant, organized, grassroots resistance.”

“Only we, the working people, set ourselves free.” This message resonated with the passionate Milwaukee crowd, and every speaker made sure to emphasize the importance of channeling the people’s energy and emotions towards organizing.

The action was primarily driven by the response to the recent Supreme Court Rulings overturning Roe v. Wade, preventing people from suing the police when they fail to read off Miranda Rights, and limiting the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

The U.S. is removing its mask of “freedom and democracy” and is blatantly showing its ugly face of repression. In countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela and Cuba, to name a few, the people know that this is what the U.S. has been and continues to be, the imperialist enemy.  More people in the U.S. realize what the rest of the world knows – that the U.S. only cares for the “freedom” of its capitalist class to exploit the world.

Milwaukee showed on this Fourth of July, the time is now to organize.

#MilwaukeeWI #InJusticeSystem #SupremeCourt #RoeVWade #AbortionRights

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.

The attendees angrily chanted, “Que queremos? Opción! Cuando? Ahora!” along with “What do we want? Choice! When do we want it? Now!” and “They say no-choice! We say pro-choice!”

Andrew Keith of FRSO-LA told the crowd, “This nation's highest court has declared the right to terminate a pregnancy illegitimate. To that I say that the supreme court itself is illegitimate. No longer should we give our consent to an unelected body that has made it clear it is hostile towards us as a class, as a people. This court has vacated all moral authority and the sole power moving forward should rest on the shoulders of us, the people.”

Juliana Castellon of Centro CSO stated, “While in California, laws are in place to safeguard the right to an abortion, my sisters in other parts of the country won’t have that protection. Chicanas won't have control over their bodies or the freedom to make decisions in the other regions of the Southwest, in Aztlan.”

Cristal Haro of Centro CSO performed an interactive art piece along with reciting an original poem called Sleeping Beauty. The art piece consisted of a chain wrapped around her waist that was connected to posters that read “Rape,” “Females are not your property,” “Patriarchy,” “Incest” and “Misogyny.”

Through her poem, Haro expressed how from a young age women are taught to behave and be obedient as well as how society drills into young girls to stay silent and to just deal with all the discrimination and injustice they face. She also explained how it is important now more than ever to teach our young girls the importance of being brave and not staying silent.

Luis Sifuentes of FRSO-LA talked of the importance of getting involved and fighting for your rights. Sifuentes said, “We have to put an end to this corrupt system! We have to create a system that is for the people run by the people. We have to come together and keep fighting on all fronts – the police brutality front, the education front and the immigration front.”

Storm Amaro of Centro CSO, a teenage non-binary person, stated, “Roe v. Wade is used as an umbrella case that provided many rights and protections for many people,” adding, “Some of these rights and protections include the right to not be persecuted for a natural abortion, the protection of LGBTQ+ parents from being discriminated against when trying to produce children of their own, and prevented women from imprisonment for those who can't bring their baby to term because they are undergoing chemo, have COVID and any other life threatening pregnancies.”

Diana Terreros of FRSO-Orange County spoke about the impact this decision will have on the working class. She said, “The vast majority of people who get abortions are working class and the people who will not be able to afford travel across state lines to get an abortion will be working-class people. Working-class women and others who can become pregnant will die because of this and the blood will be on the hands of the ruling-class!”

Sol Marquez of FRSO-LA closed the event by reminding us that the United States has forcefully sterilized countless oppressed nationalities and working-class women for many years. “Forced sterilizations of undocumented women today are rooted in the treatment of Chicana women back in the day,” said Marquez. “Chicanas had the highest number of sterilizations in the country. African American women and Puerto Rican women greatly suffered from forced sterilizations, too. Puerto Rican women had the highest rates — every one-third of them were forcefully sterilized by the U.S. government. On the one hand, this government will forcefully sterilize you, and on the other deny your right to have children when and if you want them. The message is clear, our bodies are not ours in the eyes of this government!”

The event ended with some more chants, a promise to keep fighting back, and a group picture with the speakers.

If you’re interested in joining FRSO go to FRSO.org/join or to join Centro CSO contact them at 323-943-2030 or @CentroCSO on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

#LosAngelesCA #abortion #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights

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.

Many groups were represented among the speakers, such as the Tampa Bay Community Action Committee, the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Tampa branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, the Tampa Party for Socialism and Liberation, and more.

Speakers pointed out that the ruling would disproportionately affect Black, Chicana and many other oppressed women who already face many barriers to health care and economic stability. They would suffer the most from unplanned pregnancies and are at the highest risk of pregnancy-related deaths and legal retaliation in states where abortions are now illegal.

Ariana Petrocky from the Tampa Bay Community Action Committee talked about the significance of reproductive rights and what it means for women. “This is about more than just bodily autonomy, although it is certainly also about that. In the Supreme Court case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, it was recognized that the ability for a woman to participate equally in society and the economy was facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive life. The right to an abortion means the right to life, to the highest standard of mental and physical health, the right to benefit from scientific progress, the right to be able to decide the number of children, the right to be free from pregnancy-related health risks, pain, torture and death. And they won't go back.”

Meanwhile, from Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, the student Jeena Patel drew attention to the Republican legislators waiting in the wings in several states to pass abortion ban bills that are now green-lighted by this ruling. Despite litigation, the Florida abortion ban, House Bill 5, went into effect on Friday, July 1. “This is a decades long battle that the GOP won, through incredibly corrupt means, and we as the people have to fight back. The majority of this country supports abortion, and we will not let the minority opinion reign supreme.”

Laura Rodriguez from the Tampa Bay Community Action Committee ended the rally on a hopeful note. They gave the crowd a reminder of the huge protests of the last few days, and that people are visibly ready to win back the right to an abortion the way they won it, through protests, struggle, and direct action.

“After the murder of George Floyd,” Rodriguez said, “people realized how many Black people were being murdered by killer cops in their cities. And they fought back. Now with Roe repealed, people realized that the government do not care about our realities and hardships. What they care about is control over our communities, including our bodies, so they can work us to death to fill their pockets. We know that if they gave a damn about us, we would not have to fight for our lives in the streets. Now here we are, taking time off from work to fight for our rights while they sit in their shiny home thinking about what rights they can take away to stay in office, to make even more money. But we won't let them. We're going to fight, and we're going to win!”

#TampaFL #RoeVWade #reproductiveRights #AbortionRights