Activism Reproductive Rights

Thousands Rally for Abortion Access at the U.S. Supreme Court

At least two thousand pro-abortion rights activists, including Feminist Majority Foundation staff and interns, rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday as justices heard arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, a challenge to the Texas TRAP law designed to close off access to abortion.

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“We are here for the women in Texas and around the country — women who are being denied their most basic rights,” said Amy Hagstrom Miller, President and CEO of Whole Woman’s Health, about the case. “Those who come to our clinics should be able to receive the care they need without worrying about clinic shutdowns or medically unnecessary obstacles. As we stand before the court, we will be side by side with every woman and family in Texas and this entire nation.” The Feminist Majority Foundation honored Hagstrom Miller with the Courage Award this past November.

More than fifty leaders in the reproductive health, rights, and justice movements spoke while oral arguments took place. Each approached the issue through their own personal perspective, reflecting on how religion, racial justice, and gender identity intersect in the movement for abortion access.

The case before the Court challenges the Texas law known as HB2, which requires abortion clinics to become ambulatory surgical centers and for physicians providing abortions to obtain local hospital admitting privileges, has already shuttered half of the abortion clinics in the state. The law threatens to close more than 75% of abortion clinics in the state and deny millions of women access to safe, legal abortion.

While activists came from across the country—including Texas, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina—thousands of others who could not attend in person rallied online using the hashtag #StopTheSham.

A decision is expected from the Court in mid-June.

Miss it? Here’s a livestream of the rally.

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