Campaign Action
On Tuesday, thousands rallied in support of fair, safe, and accessible abortions across the nation. Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Ohio have made the news recently for passing exceptionally restrictive abortion bans, but reproductive health is at risk everywhere if it’s being limited anywhere. That’s part of why it’s so important (and inspiring) to see people show up in solidarity.
While some cities, like Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles, grew particularly big crowds and well-known speakers, there were about 500 rallies in total. Most happened at state houses, town squares, and major courthouses. These rallies took place in Puerto Rico and even Ottawa, Canada, as well.
Small cities (and even towns) participated, and while some may have had (relatively) smaller crowds, the impact was just as powerful. In fact, seeing the difference in crowd size from place to place can serve as a reminder that not everyone has access to protest, whether it’s because of location, work obligations, or anxieties about a rebuttal. Rallies can also be notoriously difficult for people with disabilities to access.
Using the hashtag StopTheBans, many people posted inspiring pictures and videos from their local rallies. Let’s go through some of the many below.
The people who dressed up a la The Handmaid’s Tale:
The person who made a gender-inclusive pun:
A lot of truth, here:
Another nod to Margaret Atwood (and a wakeup call):
Solidarity across state lines:
This one is simple but extremely powerful:
Science!
The crowds have been amazing:
Even in relatively small groups, the people showing up aren’t being shy:
People of all ages showed up:
A reminder to vote (and work to make voting more accessible):
A pun with a lot of truth:
More Handmaidens:
Crowds at local city halls were incredible:
Men showed up, too:
Sad, but true:
State Houses across the country saw an inspiring turnout:
Some images are powerful with fewer people, though:
Same here:
Men—reproductive health is your battle, too!
Did you attend one of the rallies? If so, what was your experience like?