Thousands of pro-choice demonstrators gathered across cities in the U.S on Sunday, marching to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v Wade being signed into law.
Every January 22 since 1973, abortion rights activists have marched to celebrate Roe v. Wade Day and recognise the first time the U.S. Supreme Court granted federal protections for abortion rights.
This year, huge crowds congregated across multiple cities to condemn the reversal of this constitutional right six months ago by the Supreme Court.
Since the ruling from the conservative-dominated bench on 24 June, abortion has been banned or severely restricted in 14 states, and continues to be expand, since the court’s decision allows individual states to decide whether to protect, ban or restrict abortion rights.
Protests were organised in more than 180 cities across 46 states, including Washington D.C, New York, San Fransisco and Madison, Wisconsin, which was this year’s national rallying base.
In Washington D.C, thousands gathered to march from the Freedom Plaza steps to the White House. Protesters from Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, a Black-led police-abolitionist group, led the march, enduring six degree temperatures while chanting “Not the church, not the state, the people must decide their fate” and “Hey hey, ho ho, these racist bitches have got to go.”
Activists trailing behind them held signs that read: “ban guns not abortion”, “you’re focusing on saving clumps of cells, not helping children”, “forced vasectomies: they prevent abortions and they’re reversible!” and “more women die from misogyny than abortion”.
One demonstrator, who identified herself as a nurse, held a sign that read: “I’ve been marching 50 years to keep politics and religion out of women’s healthcare.”
“No man in a suit or black robe should be able to make these deeply personal decisions on a woman’s behalf,” she told the Guardian.
In Madison, the executive director of the Women’s March, Rachel O’Leary Carmona addressed the crowd, saying: “Fifty years after the anniversary of Roe v Wade, a radical rightwing movement hijacked our courts and eliminated federal protections for abortions.”
“We will not be distracted by the drama in DC. Instead, we are sending a clear message to elected leaders and to our base – we are going to where the fight is, and that is at the state level.”
“But as the fight turns to the states, they are going to learn that the overwhelming majority of Americans in all states support abortion rights – and women will fight to protect our rights and our lives.”
After the march, she tweeted: “Proud to be in Madison today fighting to let every politician know — if you come for our freedom, our families, or our futures, we’re coming for you.”
Madison was designated as Sunday’s main rally as an upcoming general election in April will determine the balance of power on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court and the state’s view on abortion rights.
Since the constitutional right to abortion was dismantled last June, Wisconsin, a state with a population of almost 6 million, has been operating under a near-total ban, with doctors facing the possibility of felony criminal charges for performing the procedure.
Before last June, abortions were legal in the state until twenty-weeks into the pregnancy.
“The upcoming supreme court election in Wisconsin this spring will determine the balance of power on the [state] court, and the future of abortion rights in the State,” organisers said in their statement on Sunday.
“We are taking the fight to the states. From Wisconsin, to Nebraska, to Georgia, to Arizona and Texas, women and our allies are defending abortion rights where they still stand, and working to put measures on the ballot to regain abortion rights in places where politicians are putting their agendas over the will of the people.”
On Sunday, U.S President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass legislation that will codify reproductive rights offered by Roe v Wade.
“Let me be clear: a woman’s right to choose is non-negotiable,” he tweeted. “I haven’t stopped fighting to protect women’s reproductive rights – and I never will. Now, it’s time for Congress to pass legislation codifying the protections of Roe.”
“Today should’ve been the 50th Anniversary of Roe v Wade. Instead, Maga Republican officials are waging a war on women’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. But this fight isn’t over.”
Vice-president Kamala Harris was in Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday, addressing a crowd of over a thousand people at The Moon, a popular live music venue.
“Today, we are fighting back,” she said. “Since our founding, we have been on a march forward … to secure freedom and liberty for all. This fight will not be inevitable, this will not just happen – it takes steadfast determination and dedication.”
Harris used her speech to announce a presidential memorandum that will give more protections for reproductive healthcare services to identify barriers for women attempting to obtain safe and effective medication.
“I am pleased to announce that President Biden has issued a presidential memorandum,” she said. “Members of our cabinet and our administration are now directed to identify barriers to access and recommend actions to make sure that doctors can legally prescribe, doctors can dispense and women can secure safe and effective medication.”
In Florida, abortion is banned after fifteen weeks, with no exceptions for rape, incest or sex trafficking — a decision signed off by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April last year.
“Last year, so-called leaders at the statehouse in Tallahassee passed a radical abortion ban…let us not be tired or discouraged, ‘cause we’re on the right side of history,” Harris said on Sunday, targeting DeSantis and the state’s Republican-led Legislature in her criticisms.
“Can we truly be free if so-called leaders claim to be, I quote, ‘on the vanguard of freedom,’ while they dare to restrict the rights of the American people and attack the very foundation of freedom.” Harris was quoting DeSantis, who had said in a speech last January that Florida “stood as freedom’s vanguard.”
Over the weekend, former President Barack Obama tweeted:
“On what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we’re reminded that progress can move backward. And that means we’ve got to recommit to doing our part to protect and expand reproductive rights for families today — and for generations to come.”
“I hope you’ll join with the activists who’ve been sounding the alarm on this issue for years — and act. Stand with them at a local protest. Volunteer with them on a campaign. Donate to their causes. And vote in every election for candidates who will support reproductive rights.”