AROUND TOWN
‘Not going back’
Protesters rally in Union Square to slam
assault on reproductive rights
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
On March 8, International
Women’s Day, ralliers grouped
together at Union Square
to protest increasing assaults on
reproductive rights.
Activist veterans with decades supporting
women’s right to choose,
and to have autonomy over their
own bodies spoke to a growing
cross-generation crowd.
In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled
in Roe vs. Wade that the Constitution
protects a woman’s right to choose to
have an abortion without excessive
government interference.
In September, the Supreme Court
approved Senate Bill 8—SB 8—in
Texas, the “most restrictive abortion
law in the country,” according to the
New York Times. As a part of this bill,
it is unlawful for a woman to get an
abortion six weeks into pregnancy with
no exceptions for victims of rape or
incest. The bill encourages citizens to
report anyone — including clinic staff,
assisting in giving access to abortions.
Last week, Florida Republican lawmakers
passed a bill banning abortion
after 15 weeks, nine weeks earlier than
currently allowed there. Florida Governor
DeSantis plans to sign the bill.
The 49-year-old Supreme Court decision
is now under threat to be overturned,
which will result in millions of
women losing access to safe abortions.
The banner on the stage behind the
speakers shouted their sentiments: We
Refuse to let the Supreme Court deny
Women’s Humanity and Decimate
Their Rights.
Marchers lined up behind an orange
banner reading RiseUp4Abortion.org
when they left Union Square.
Chanting, “Out of the doors and into
the streets, we won’t go back!” activists,
handing out informational fl yers,
walked across 14th Street and down
Second Avenues before heading west
on Third Street. Briefl y amassing at the
intersection at Bowery, snarling traffi c,
they continued west, past NYU before
heading to Washington Square Park.
PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY
“Out of the doors, into the streets, we will not go back!”
Schneps Media March 10, 2022 25
/RiseUp4Abortion.org
