Over 1 million protesters gathered for marches across the country on Saturday to attend a national day of action in support of abortion and reproductive rights. Themed ‘Bans Off Our Bodies,’ the mobilization was a direct response to two cataclysmic events in the world of abortion:
We DID IT! There were OVER 1 MILLION people who rallied for our right to abortion at over 450 events nationwide and around the world. We are so proud to be in this fight with you and continue to tell anti-abortion politicians: #BansOffOurBodies. pic.twitter.com/il5Y2et5K1
— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) May 14, 2022
When the Supreme Court’s final decision is issued before the end of the term (likely in June), it will represent the biggest blow to women’s constitutional rights in history. The anger, indignance and shock felt in America right now has reached a new peak—and it was on full display this weekend.
Many marchers’ signs made statements about their bodily autonomy.
The nyc march was massive. Thousands came out to declare #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/0RYsQgYF9w
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) May 14, 2022
Today we march for reproductive freedom and justice✊🏾 @CTurlington @LauraDern @PPFA #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/JWkeM23VGo
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) May 14, 2022
The status of abortion rights usually indicates the health (or lack thereof) of a country’s democracy—and many marchers called for a more healthy U.S. democracy.
This is what democracy looks like. #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/Vurv9lOtii
— ACLU (@ACLU) May 14, 2022
#BansOffOurBodies in Knoxville… pic.twitter.com/HrDBh0W30X
— ChaTurner (@chaturner) May 14, 2022
Demonstrators directed anger toward Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the leaked opinion, and the other four justices whose signatures appear alongside Alito’s.
This scary Alito was a highlight at Boston #BansOffOurBodies. Let’s be clear, the Alito in DC is waaaay scarier. pic.twitter.com/HZeoQhKPnX
— Kim Leonard (@kimleonard) May 14, 2022
Raleigh, NC Bans Off Our Bodies March/Rally#BansOffOurBodies #KeepAbortionLegal pic.twitter.com/QRD6C8ZDzm
— Nahunta Brown (@MeneuxBrown) May 14, 2022
Made it to Chicago on time for the protest. #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/0ITuoANTBw
— Denise (@dhaywood99) May 14, 2022
At SCOTUS today. Felt real anger and passion for the fight #Alito #RoeVWade #BansOffOurBodies #WomensRights pic.twitter.com/b8iOFwN1jm
— tam (@tamwari) May 15, 2022
Demonstrators made clear their disgust with Republican lawmakers who create and support anti-abortion laws.
At the state level, the states passing abortion bans are all GOP-led, and nationally, Senate Republicans blocked a bill last week that would have codified Roe into federal law.
Some marchers’ signs made poignant (and funny) arguments about the war on reproductive anatomy, calling it a war on women.
It was an excellent day in Sacramento! #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/WAOaRKUD1U
— April (@_may_june_july_) May 14, 2022
You can’t stop the revolution #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/m4C38acUTF
— angry buni 🤬 (@theangriestbuni) May 14, 2022
More good signs from today. #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/O2MasZxwbs
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) May 14, 2022
A++ sign at the KNOXVILLE rally… #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/d6ScweSaXG
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) May 14, 2022
Young women made clear: They’re paying attention too.
San Antonio TX, #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/Xd2hMldEc2
— Kait ♡ (@kaittlyn_alexis) May 14, 2022
My little feminist at the #BansOffOurBodies rally in Cincinnati ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fmXIWzwLME
— Tiffany (@TuffTiffResists) May 14, 2022
We are marching for this little one. She has a heartbeat. She matters. #BansOffOurBodies #RoeVWadeprotest pic.twitter.com/wBqGaqix1y
— Sonja (@sonjairina) May 14, 2022
Those who grew up in the era of Roe expressed their shock at the rollback on constitutional rights.
Her first protest was against war in Vietnam. #BansOffOurBodies march in Nashville, TN also revealed a protest against @MarshaBlackburn. Women in Tennessee are uniting. pic.twitter.com/4htNXffswO
— Deborah Ezell Denson 💙 (@DeborahDenson) May 14, 2022
This message to my daughter and all of our daughters! #BansOffOurBodies #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/LQVmUuVLZi
— Steve Pierson (@BluesBoySteve) May 14, 2022
We stand on the shoulders of so many giants who for generations fought for our rights and for our freedoms.
We’re continuing the fight today to keep #BansOffOurBodies — and we’ll never stop. pic.twitter.com/TsTQp9bD3Y
— The Leadership Conference (@civilrightsorg) May 14, 2022
#bansoffourbodies Downtown DeLand Florida pic.twitter.com/wUBZnLtsIS
— Woke Nana (@WokeNana) May 14, 2022
A huge number of male abortion allies showed up this weekend, prompting a new hashtag: #MenAtTheMarch.
Can everyone share photos of #MenAtTheMarch because I am seeing so many men at #BansOffOurBodies rally in #NYC pic.twitter.com/UX2ZB6aJe0
— Liz Plank (@feministabulous) May 14, 2022
A 🧵 of some of my favorite signs from todays #BansOffOurBodies rally in Little Rock Arkansas pic.twitter.com/SLre3lpte8
— Ashley Simmons (@thearkansasleft) May 14, 2022
This happened in rural Minnesota tonight. Nearly 100 people showed up with short notice to rally in support of abortion rights. One thing is clear: Red Wing supports reproductive freedom (and don’t you forget it!)! #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/gWXB5foyp5
— Ceri Everett (She/Her) (@CeriEverett) May 13, 2022
The midterm elections are the next battleground, demonstrators’ signs indicated.
We’re in DC right now to make it clear that reproductive freedom is for *every* body. #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/Dm4k0Rd18s
— NARAL (@NARAL) May 14, 2022
A preview of what November is going to look like at every polling location across the country
(From today’s march in D.C.)#BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/BOuxe5RKil— Andrew Wortman 🏳️🌈🇺🇦🇺🇸 (@AmoneyResists) May 15, 2022
Sign and share Ms.’s relaunched “We Have Had Abortions” petition—whether you yourself have had an abortion, or simply stand in solidarity with those who have—to let the Supreme Court, Congress and the White House know: We will not give up the right to safe, legal, accessible abortion.
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