Bringing People to an Abortion Rights Protest
In May of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court drafted a decision to overturn the 1973 decision, Roe v. Wade, that had provided federal constitutional protection of abortion rights. On May 15 there was a large protest in Boston (Massachusetts, USA).
I am part of several networks and message groups fighting for progressive policies, so when the news broke [came out] about the decision, I was able to rapidly connect with many people. We reached out to our friends and families.
I put together a notice and invited everyone I knew, including women of all ages and backgrounds, to join in the protest.
Over sixty of us met in front of the town hall. I personally welcomed each person and asked many of the people how they felt and then listened. Several used the attention to tell their reproductive and abortion stories. A few women cried, and I encouraged them.
The front side of my poster said, “Women united can never be defeated in our fight for safe, legal access to abortion.” The back side said, “#TellYourStory #BansOffOurBodies.” I led rousing chants. We cheered as cars drove by and honked.
Taking this action was a big contradiction [to distress] for me. I was taking a stand. I was protesting in community with others. Being together at the protest contradicted isolation for all of us. It strengthened our resolve to fight.
We will not settle for anything less than full self-determination and full access to health care, including abortion, for all women. We are also fighting for democracy and against sexism, racism, male domination, and all other oppressions.
Canton, Massachusetts, USA
Reprinted from the e-mail discussion list for RC Community members
(Present Time 209, October 2022)