Raleigh, NC – People rallied in 700 cities across the country on Saturday, including meetings in Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte.
In Raleigh, nearly 1,000 people filled Bi-Centenary Plaza for the ‘Abortion Justice Rally’. Demonstrations included speakers and a march during the National Day of Action.
The rally was part of a larger Nationwide Women’s March, which is a response to SB 8 in Texas, which organizers say, “mandating abortion in the state with a $10,000 reward for filing devastating lawsuits against private citizens who ‘aided and abided’ in abortion.” declared illegal.”
In a communique sent ahead of the rallies, the organizers said, “SB8 is an attack not only on abortion rights, but on affordable health services for working-class people who want free and low-cost reproductive health after abortion.” Will lose access to the service. Providers are forced to close due to costly legal battles. Abortion restrictions do not prevent abortions from occurring, they only increase the number of life-threatening abortions.”
Attendees spoke passionately about their cause. He shared the stories of those he says would be hurt most by the loss of abortion access. He felt that in many cases the minorities and the poor were most negatively impacted.
“In Texas, that has really set out a blueprint for other states like North Carolina to possibly and potentially follow,” said Laila Ali, a Muslim woman.
In a counter-protest, the speakers talked about ways to push back. The team is feeling excited by the new law they are looking at.
“I’m really excited for what’s going on in politics. We’re getting closer to reversing Rowe vs. Wade, which is a great step in reversing abortion,” counter protester Lydia Taylor said.
In response, rallies demanding full reproductive rights took place in the United States on Saturday, ahead of the Supreme Court meeting on October 4.
Marches are calling on Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which protects a man’s ability to decide whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy.
“WHPA legislation will be rooted in the right of healthcare providers to offer abortion services ‘prior to embryo viability’ without restrictions imposed by individual states,” the release said.
“In North Carolina, a web of medically unnecessary restrictions prevents many people from accessing abortion, leaving patients, especially people of color, people living in rural parts of the state, and those facing financial hardship. There is serious damage,” the organizers said. release.
“91 percent of North Carolina counties today don’t have an abortion provider,” he said.
“I want to emphasize diversity in this crowd today,” said one lawyer, pointing to diversity in age, race and gender.
“We need to make sure we have a policy that is sustainable that can protect all people and give them access to reproductive rights,” said Dana Alhasson with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Several local organizations are part of the planned march, including, ACLU of North Carolina, Carolina Abortion Fund, El Pueblo, Inc., For Muslim Women, NARAL Pro-Choice NC, National Association of Social Workers North Carolina, NC Now, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, PSL Carolinas, Sistersong, Triangle Abortion Access, and other advocates for abortion access.
there is more Information about the Raleigh March on their website.
a federal judge is making a decision whether to block the law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September.
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