On Tuesday, Women’s International Day—March 8, ralliers grouped together at Union Square to protest increasing assaults on reproductive rights.
Activist veterans with decades supporting women’s right to choose, to have autonomy over their own bodies spoke to a growing cross-generation crowd.
In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in Roe vs. Wade that the Constitution protects a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion without excessive government interference.
In September, the Supreme Court approved Senate Bill 8—SB 8—in Texas, the “most restrictive [abortion law] in the country,” according to the New York Times. As a part of this bill, it is unlawful for a woman to get an abortion six weeks into pregnancy with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. The bill encourages citizens to report anyone — including clinic staff, assisting in giving access to abortions.
Last week, Florida Republican lawmakers passed a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks, nine weeks earlier than currently allowed there. Florida Governor DeSantis plans to sign the bill.
The 49-year-old Supreme Court decision is now under threat to be overturned, which will result in millions of women losing access to safe abortions.
The banner on the stage behind the speakers shouted their sentiments: We Refuse to let the Supreme Court deny Women’s Humanity and Decimate Their Rights.
Marchers lined up behind an orange banner reading RiseUp4Abortion.org when they left Union Square.
Chanting, “Out of the doors and into the streets, we won’t go back!” activists, handing out informational flyers, walked across 14th Street and down Second Avenues before heading west on Third Street. Briefly amassing at the intersection at Bowery, snarling traffic, they continued west, past NYU before heading to Washington Square Park.
