Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
'Bans Off Our Bodies' Protesters To Rally At L.A. City Hall On Saturday
The Women's March Foundation, along with other abortion rights organizations, is organizing a rally at L.A. City Hall to stand up for reproductive justice.
(
Ashley Balderrama for LAist
)
Update
-
Read more about the rally Saturday: Abortion Rights Supporters Rally In Downtown LA As Part Of Nationwide 'Bans Off Our Bodies' Protests
As part of the "Bans Off Our Bodies" day of action on Saturday, abortion rights supporters will be holding demonstrations throughout the country, including various locals in L.A. County.
There are a number of marches and rallies planned in California, from Catalina Island to Victorville, along with sister rallies in cities such as Austin and New York.
One of the biggest events will be held at Los Angeles City Hall, Saturday morning at 10, with the Women's March Foundation among the organizers.
Support for LAist comes from
Los Angeles!! We are fired up & ready!
— Women's March Foundation (@wmnsmarchla) May 13, 2022
Bring: water, sunblock, signs, positive energy. Program starts at 10am! #ReproductiveRights #BansOffOurBodies pic.twitter.com/RybNNlEUJ2
“Expect to be energized. Expect to have some elected officials, some abortion providers, Planned Parenthood, some folks talking about what's at stake for women across the country,” said Emiliana Guereca, president and founder of the Women’s March Foundation.
Although people in California have secure abortion rights, Guereca says the rally is to stand up for women across the country who don't have the same protections.
A handful of events were planned for this day of action before the leak of a draft opinion indicating that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v Wade. After the leak, the number of events jumped to more than 200.
The rally was originally to draw awareness to the possibility of losing Roe v. Wade much later in July. Guereca said that when Supreme Court justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett were sworn in, she saw the threat of the landmark decision looming.
“And so the leak, when it happened, we knew that we were in trouble," Guereca said. "And although we were a little bit disappointed, we weren't surprised.”
Support for LAist comes from
Now, Guereca said, many people who at first thought Roe v Wade was set in stone, are motivated to march.
"We are part of this movement that started 50 years ago. And what we thought was settled law is apparently not settled law," Guereca said. "So we should all be worried about this leak that may overturn Roe V. Wade."
Guereca said if the high court does end up throwing out the landmark 1973 decision, the Women’s March Foundation will focus on mobilizing and voter registration in parts of the country where reproductive freedoms may be at risk.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist