Throughout multiple major cities in the country, such as Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, women’s marches are taking place following the implementation of the new Texas abortion law. At the center of attention for all of these displays is abortion justice and women’s rights. Furthermore, multiple cities within Texas hosted rallies regarding new legislation for abortion rules. The new law bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, at which point most women are unaware they are pregnant. Texan women at the march even voiced that they would highly consider moving states due to the law.
The marches are also occurring in light of the Supreme Court reconvening to possibly challenge the standing of the famous case Roe v. Wade, which protects a women’s right to choose to have an abortion or have the option if desired. While Texas is currently in the hot seat, abortion laws are being put into place across the country, sparking marches in many states.
These protesting women are especially scared that the Texas abortion ban could set off a spark initiating further bans in other states. The president of Planned Parenthood, Alexis McGill Johnson, even spoke at the D.C. rally, sharing, “No matter where you live, no matter where you are, this moment is dark — it is dark — but that’s why we’re here.” She elaborated to explain that the women at the march, the same women who are speaking out and fighting, are the reason why change is still possible, even after states, like Texas, have already taken action.
The march was supported by the thousands of people, who so passionately showed up to fuel their fight. Many of them brought along homemade signs and made their way down the streets yelling phrases such as, “Abortion is health care!” Texas abortion rights organization executive director, Marsha Jones, even added that aside from health care, abortion is “self-care.”
The act of hosting women's marches started primarily once Donald Trump took presidential office in 2016, and the most recent series of marches occurred when he left. Though recently the participation in these demonstrations has slightly decreased, protest leaders are hoping that the supreme court Roe vs. Wade debrief will inspire both men and women to participate. Protest organizers added that there are many more demonstrations, over 600, planned for various locations across the country. An attendee of the recent Chicago protest shared how she had never participated in an event like this before but was immediately inspired after hearing about the Texas ban put in place. Protesting women also explained their fear that younger women, people who were not alive prior to the ruling of Roe vs. Wade, will not understand the consequences of the law being overturned, and therefore will not come out to protest, or speak out. Older women also shared that they must fight the case being overturned so the country does not return to a state where men are asserting control over women's bodies.
These women hope that with enough fire and passion, they will have the potential to aid in the fight against abortion bans, and will help women keep control over their bodies and the right to choose.
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