On Saturday, Oct. 2, the Arizona State Capitol in Downtown Phoenix held the annual Women’s March.
Citizens of Arizona marched in protest in support of women’s reproductive rights, as well as against the recent Texas “Heartbeat Act,” a bill that restricts abortion for Texas women – it went into effect on Sept. 1.
The event started at 10 a.m. with three guest speakers, music, dancers, local organization tabling, and a march. According to the Women’s March Phoenix Facebook page, the march itself was about one mile long, going around the perimeter of the Capitol.
Aniyah Braveboy, Josselyn Berry, and Melody Hernandez were the guest speakers at Saturday’s march, sharing their stories and support for women’s rights.
“There were several speakers who shared their views and own personal stories on not only abortion rights, but being a woman in general. They had such powerful speeches, most making me and the rest of the crowd cry,” march participant Aleena Jacobs said. “I truly had the most safe feeling being there, surrounded by so many people who stand for what is right. Those who showed up were full of acceptance, intelligence, and understanding.”
Jacobs mentioned during one of the speeches of the morning, anti-abortion protestors had signs stating comments such as, “aren’t you glad your mother chose life?” These anti-abortion protestors disheartened Jacobs and others, but were quickly re-ignited by the speaker.
“Her telling us that we do have a say, and that we are the majority, gave us all strength again to ignore them and continue standing up for our rights. It was extremely powerful and something that moved me to tears, making me so thankful to be a part of such an important movement,” Jacobs said.
March participant, Cassie Hepler, was one of the many citizens who took part in the march due to the recent Texas bill.
“I am sick and tired of women being treated as second-class citizens in the United States,” Hepler said. “I have been a feminist my whole life starting as a journalist since I was 16 years old. Never before has Roe v. Wade been threatened so blatantly so this is my first one [march].”
Senate Bill Eight, the aforementioned bill from Texas, was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and, in short, stated abortion is prohibited as early as six weeks pregnant, or when there is a fetal heartbeat detected.
The bill also states, “Any person, other than an officer or employee of a state of local governmental entity in this state, may bring a civil action against any person who: (1) performs or induces an abortion in violation of this chapter; (2) knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion, including paying for or reimbursing the costs of an abortion through insurance or otherwise, if the abortion is performed or induced in violation of this chapter, regardless of whether the person knew or should have known that the abortion would be performed or induced in violation of this chapter.”
Jacobs’ family has always been involved in women’s rights, but this bill brought her to educate herself and join them at the March similar to Hepler.
“The fact that someone can earn up to $10,000 for exposing someone who violated the new laws is absolutely absurd. Why can someone’s rapist earn money by ratting out their victim for getting an abortion?” Jacobs asked. “These are questions that arise when I think of these laws, and these are reasons I knew I had to attend the women’s march and stand up to power that is being abused and used for the wrong reasons. Regardless of a women’s reason to get an abortion, it is her reason. It is her choice.”
Published news reports estimate 2,000-3,000 participants attended the Phoenix march. An exhilarating, saddening, yet empowering experience for many, had been observed all throughout the nation.
According to the Women’s March website, the next march is Oct. 23 in Maryland. Participants of the Phoenix March, like Jacobs, think it is important to acknowledge that bills like the one in Texas can happen anywhere.
“Other states making laws like this can and will affect Arizona because it not only creates fear in women all around the world, but also encourages anti-abortion groups and politicians to try and pass similar laws where they live,” Jacobs said. “The Texas abortion laws are becoming a model for other states, and I think if we do not stop it there, it will happen in other states including Arizona.”
Comments