Several New Orleans activist groups will hold a demonstration at One Shell Square (701 Poydras St.) on Wednesday, May 21.
The New Orleans Abortion Fund, Women with a Vision, the New Orleans Peoples’ Assembly, and BYP100 New Orleans will join together to demonstrate against the anti-choice legislation currently being considered in the Louisiana legislature. This is part two of a demonstration that took place last Wednesday at the state capitol, where women staged a “die-in”.
“Here in New Orleans, we know that not everyone can take a full day off to go to Baton Rouge to sit in a committee hearing or engage their legislator at the Capitol,” New Orleans Abortion fund director Amy Irvin told Gambit. “This is an opportunity for people to come out during their lunch hour and show their opposition to abortion bans and the attack on reproductive justice.”
The protest is titled “Just Laws or Outlaws: Take to the Streets,” and as of 8:25 am on Tuesday, 563 people had responded to say they were going, with another 1,300 marking themselves as interested.
In addition, Tuesday, May 21 has been named a National Day of Action for groups who want to stop the abortion bans sweeping the country. Groups who wish to participate are encouraged to use #StoptheBans on social media, tag Planned Parenthood Action, plan protests, make donations, and contact their local representatives.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted in support of the day of action, saying “We need to fight like hell to protect #RoeVWade and protect women’s rights to control our own bodies.” Earlier this week, Warren released a plan to protect abortion rights.
We need to fight like hell to protect #RoeVWade and protect women’s rights to control our own bodies. Join @NARAL, @PPact, @MoveOn, and other activists for a day of action in all 50 states tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21. Find an event near you: https://t.co/QOzZZHnvI5 #StopTheBans
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 20, 2019
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also released a plan to protect abortion rights, calling the anti-abortion legislation a “nationwide assault on women’s constitutional rights.” Last week, Gillibrand visited Georgia to protest that state’s recently-passed abortion ban. “The president is waging a war on America’s women,” Gillibrand said. “And he will lose.”
The president is waging a war on America's women. And he will lose. https://t.co/F2zqG5d83B
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 20, 2019
Anyone wishing to participate in tomorrow’s protest action is encouraged to visit One Shell Square between 12 pm and 1:30 pm tomorrow. You can find out more at the event’s Facebook page.
Jenn Bentley is a writer and editor originally from Cadiz, Kentucky. Her writing has been featured in publications such as The Examiner, The High Tech Society, FansShare, Yahoo News, and others. When she’s not writing or editing, Jenn spends her time raising money for Extra Life and advocating for autism awareness.
