Marchers in CV for Women’s Reproductive Rights
Dozens of Castro Valley residents took to the streets this past Saturday in defense of women’s reproductive rights and in response to the recent Texas restrictions on abortion access. The local march and rally were one of the hundreds staged across the United States in opposition to restricting abortion access and overturning Roe v. Wade.
The crowd gathered at the intersection of Redwood Road and Castro Valley Boulevard (sometimes referred to as “protest corner”) before walking to Adobe Park, where local organizers rallied the people with speeches and chants of “We Will Not Go Backwards,” and “My body, My choice.” Some were carrying the same signs and donning the same pink apparel they did five years ago in support of women’s rights.
Castro Valley resident, Erik Nelson said he and his daughter Gigi marched this year as they have in the past few years to show their support.
"My daughter, Gigi, and I just felt it was really important to stand up and add our voices to the protest over these outrageous laws. A woman has a right to decide for herself whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term. I think it's really scary what's happening, and it was heartening to see so many people taking to the streets to be heard."
This year’s march was organized nationally by Women's March, which organized annual protests during Donald Trump's presidency. They were joined by dozens of groups including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Service Employees International Union, and the Abortion Care Network to “harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change.”
The Texas Heartbeat Act came into effect as of September 1. The legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbot prohibits abortions in the state as early as six weeks—before some women know they are pregnant—and opens the door for almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers and others. A Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks is coming before the Supreme Court this fall.
The California Future of Abortion Council, a coalition of reproductive rights and justice organizations says it's currently analyzing ways to expand access to abortion care to residents and others who may need it.