A crowd of over 30 protesters gathered in Harvey Milk Promenade Park and nearly doubled in size as they marched to Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in support of reproductive rights on Thursday, June 30.
“You’re all here because we realize this is not a game. Not something to be fundraised over or used for [a] campaign slogan,” said Diana Davis, of the Orange County Socialist Rifle Association. “We’re here because we recognize that what is happening is a roll back of human rights.”
On the morning of Friday, June 24 the nation learned that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a case that ensured a person’s federal right to an abortion. Each state is now able to decide whether abortion will be legal for their residents.
As protesters marched through downtown they chanted “My Body, My Choice,” “Abortion On Demand. No Forced Birth On Stolen Land.”. They also held signs saying “abort the court,” “pro-life = forced birth” and more.
“I was born during a time where Roe was the lay of the land,” said Valentina Flores with Long Beach Forward. “I would open a book and see amazing community that fought so hard for Roe and I’m thinking about how grateful I am that they fought for the freedom for all birthing people. Never did I think that I would have to be on this stand fighting for that right once again.”
Abortion was legalized in California in 1967 after then-governor Ronald Regan signed the Therapeutic Abortion Law, which only allowed abortion in instances of rape or incest, or if the pregnancy jeopardized the physical or mental health of the mother.
A story by the San Diego Union-Tribune from June 1967 estimated that the Therapeutic Abortion Law would only legalize 2% of the approximately 100,000 illegal abortions that were performed in California each year.
In 1973, the Supreme Court voted on Roe v. Wade and upheld an individual’s right to an abortion regardless of the reason for seeking one.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is aligning himself with the governors of Oregon and Washington to form the “West Coast Offensive,” to protect out-of-state patients and increase the accessibilty of abortions.
In the November elections, Californians will be be able to vote on whether to add the right to access abortion and contraceptive services to the California Constitution.
As protesters returned and marched back to Harvey Milk Park, several women who were eating at Beachwood Brewery and Dog Haus stopped what they were doing to come out and clap for the protesters.
“We’re going to keep fighting, we’re going to keep mobilizing, and we’re going to keep f*cking fighting this imperialist bullsh*t,” said local activist Nereyda Soto.
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