Thousands Show Up To Women’s Marches To Support Reproductive Rights

Over 10,000 people turned out for the 2021 Women’s March in Washington, D.C. today to save Roe. 

This year’s march was organized by groups that included Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Service Employees International Union, and Abortion Care Network.

Across the country, hundreds of other sister marches took place with this year’s focus on reproductive rights after new restrictive abortion laws were passed in Texas and other states. 

“We are witnessing the most dire threat to abortion access in our lifetime,” the Women’s March Network said on its website, noting the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to block Texas’ 6-week abortion ban.

“We need to send an unmistakable message about our fierce opposition to restricting abortion access and overturning Roe v. Wade before it’s too late.”

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Speakers And Activity

Protesters met at Freedom Plaza, close to the White House, for a “Faith Gathering” at 10 a.m., and a rally hosted by comedian and activist Cristela Alonzo began at noon. 

The march began around 1:30 p.m. and continued to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The reason that many of us are here today is because we want to let people know that we are capable of deciding what is best for us,” Alonzo said. “We can decide what is best for us. We can decide what to do with our own bodies. What we’re asking for is the right to be treated as a person with their own brain, their own heart, to make decisions that are right for us.”

Speakers at the protest were swimmer Schuyler Bailar, activist Monica Simpson, president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health Dr. Jamila Perritt, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Alexis McGill Johnson, to name a few. 

“We demand the human right to survive and to thrive,” Perritt said to a roaring crowd. “We demand reproductive justice and we will not rest until we get it. Join me in saying that enough is enough.”


History Of The Women’s March

The annual Women’s March began in 2017 following the inauguration of former President Trump. 

“This march comes a day after the Biden administration urged a federal judge to block the nation’s most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September,” according to fox7austin. 

It’s one of a series of cases that will give the nation’s divided high court occasion to uphold or overrule Roe v. Wade.

On their website, the organization states

“The mission of Women’s March is to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change. 

It continues: “A women-led movement providing intersectional education on a diverse range of issues and creating entry points for new grassroots activists & organizers to engage in their local communities through trainings, outreach programs and events and committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect.”


Women’s March Support

On Twitter, #rallyforabortionjustice was the hashtag users tweeted to show support for the event. 

Comedian Chelsea Handler, who has become an outspoken activist since Trump’s election, made a video thanking people turning out for the march. 

Senator Elizabeth Warren showed her solidarity with the marchers, saying “The American people support the right to a safe, legal abortion. We’re not going back — not now, not ever.”

Some marchers even showed up with their kids — one woman brought her 11-month-old daughter. 

The woman told ABC’s Lalee Ibssa “She’s 11 weeks old and mom tells me this is her 1st rally. Her dad is also here.”

 “I’m a father, but I don’t think you have to be to care about these issues … I’m fighting for my daughter’s right to choose.”


Other Marches Across The Country

In Austin, Texas, thousands showed up to stand up for women’s reproductive rights. 

Houston, Texas, held a sister march where people gathered in support of abortion rights, making their voices heard. 

In Stuart, Florida, as part of nationwide rallies organized by Women’s March, pro-abortion rights protesters took to the streets.

And in California, a huge crowd of protesters began their march at Pershing Square and headed to City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

These are just a few of the scenes from more than 600 rallies planned in all 50 states with over 70,000 people expected to show up.


Code Red For Women

It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: Banning abortions won’t stop abortions, it will just make women seek out unsafe procedures that could very likely result in death. 

If we return to the days before Roe v. Wade, women are in grave danger. We deserve access to safe healthcare — and abortion is healthcare. 

For more information about Planned Parenthood click here.

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Did you or anyone you know go to a march today? Let us know below.


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