VP Harris and Mayor Bass Speak at Women’s March
Protesters marched downtown for reproductive rights in light of a recent ruling by a federal judge banning the abortion pill mifepristone.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched from Pershing Square to Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday, where Vice President Kamala Harris and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass spoke in support of reproductive rights.
The march, organized by the Women’s March Foundation, comes after a federal judge in Texas blocked the Food and Drug Administration’s approved abortion pill Mifepristone last week.
Once the protesters reached Los Angeles City Hall, the Women’s March Foundation and Planned Parenthood, along with Rep. Judy Chu, Bass and Harris took the stage to voice their opinion on the recent Texas ruling. All guaranteed that Los Angeles will remain a safe haven for women seeking abortions.
Chu spoke about authoring the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would give women access to abortions nationwide and said that she’s “with you every step of the way.”
Bass opened up her speech by expressing how great California is for ensuring women maintain their right to choose to have an abortion or not, but that people should still be mindful of the impact the Texas ruling can have on California.
Harris called out those trying to silence the voice of the people, including the Supreme Court for overturning Roe v. Wade. She expressed the importance of showing up “each and every day to defend our fundamental rights.” She also stated that an attack on women's rights in America, is an attack on America itself.
“There’s so much at stake right now,” said Harris. “And so we have been called upon to be the next generation of the people who will help lead and fight in this movement for freedom and liberty based on our love of our country.”
After the 1973 Supreme Court case that protected a woman's right to an abortion, Roe v. Wade, was overturned last June, states were given the power to regulate abortion access. Conservative political figures are now trying to take things a step further and ban abortions nationally.
On April 7, Federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas ordered a hold on the FDA approval of mifepristone, a drug which terminates pregnancies between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation. Around the same time, federal Judge Thomas Rice in Washington ruled in a separate case in favor of allowing 18 states to continue using mifepristone.
After going to an appeals court, the Supreme Court stepped in to issue a temporary stay for mifepristone across the country while they review both sides of the argument.
62-year-old James Craig, who uses a wheelchair, was the first to arrive at Pershing Square. Craig has attended many Los Angeles marches and protests in the past and plans to continue to do so in the future.
“I’ve lived my life. I’m worried and concerned about younger people, because they’re the ones that are going to have to live with the consequences that people my age are making or not making,” Craig said.
Craig explained he arrived at 8:30 a.m. to not only beat the crowd, but to witness the formation of the protest.
“I wanted to get down here and be a part of everything that’s going to go on before it ever started,” he said. “I actually wanted to watch the people come to mingle and get to know each other.”
One marcher, 72-year-old Gloria Laisure said she has been taking her fight to the streets for 50 years now and wants to lead by example for her own granddaughter.
“I’m teaching her to be a little activist at a young age because that’s what we need. We need young people to care and to take over,” Laisure said. “You see a lot of people my age still taking to the streets because we just can’t believe this is happening again.”
Another veteran protester, Karen Rawinsky, remembers protesting before Roe v. Wade passed. She also encourages people to go out and vote so their voices are heard on the matter at hand.
“I’ve worked in women’s health a long time and this thing about not letting people take advantage of what’s available to them to remain healthy, to be in charge of their bodies,” said Rawinsky. “We encourage everyone to take care of themselves and this is self care.”
The temporary stay for mifepristone from the Supreme Court is in effect until at least Friday, April 21. The Supreme Court then will make a decision on the future of mifepristone.
Article updated April 18 with additional coverage on the march. This article was previously titled “Protesters Voice Support for Reproductive Rights.”
Article updated April 19 regarding the Supreme Court’s extension on the temporary stay of mifepristone until Friday.
